My name is Arthur Gray, and I am a descendant of the family that gave this land for the parking lot and as I was told the church, also. I am aware of the vandalism that took place at the church but it also took place on the free negroe burial side. as well. My great great grandmother, Florence Russell was dug up and placed on top of her grave. The tombstones of Mary and William Russell were shot up along with the sign designating the graveyard as their descendents. The sigh has been since removed........ It should be replaced.
We as a family just had our family reunion all this week and most of them were not knowledgeable of the existence of Lebonon Methodist Church. Most of the younger family members grew up with the knowledge of the Church that was buillt for the post descendants that is located across the highway by the name of Good Hope Baptist Church.
If you have any knowledge of any of these descendants it would be greatly appreciated if you could share this information with me. I am concerned about the history of William and Mary Russell. Some of the other members of the family names are:
Rasome Beckett married to Celia Orr
Ulish Orr married to Sallie Garnet
Julius Bing married to Artie Beckett
Basically, the last names are Russell, Orr, Garnet, Joyner, Beckett, Bing
I am knowledgeable of some of the Caucasian members of the Church, as well.
Some of the names are the Causeys, Peoples, Davis, Smiths, Deloachs.
As a kid I worked in some of their fields, shopped at their stores, visited their jail, and interacted on their farms. Just to reinterate, I visited the jail, but never was locked down.
Thank you for any information you can share
genef1947@yahoo.net
My father is from Lena Grays
Courtesy of, thanks to, and Copyright ©2007 Arthur Gray, all rights reserved.
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