midway m.b. church graveyard
The Midway Missionary Baptist Church African American Graveyard is situated along Little Rock – Decatur Road in Decatur, Mississippi, a serene location that holds significant historical value for the local community. The earliest documented headstone dates back to 1881, providing a glimpse into the lives of those who were laid to rest in this sacred ground. It is possible that some graves date to the church’s founding in 1878; however, no headstone bearing an inscription has been found, leaving the stories of many early settlers untold. Over the years, this graveyard has become more than a resting place; it serves as a vital link to the rich cultural heritage of African Americans in the region, reflecting their struggles, resilience, and contributions to the development of the Decatur area. As descendants visit to honor their ancestors, the graveyard stands as a poignant reminder of the past, inviting reflection and remembrance.
Individuals laid to rest at this gravesite are as follows:
| In Memory of | In Memory of | In Memory of |
|---|---|---|
| Allen, James W. | Boler, Annie D. Welch | Boler, Mary Thames |
| Brown, Cynthia Dionne Gardner | Burns, Mary Helen Windham | Chapman, Mary Helen Pace |
| Clark, Geneva | Clark, Ida Tingle | Clark, Infant Daughter |
| Clark, Mary Jane Tingle | Clark, Rufus C. | Cleveland, Abel |
| Cleveland, Bobbie Jean | Cleveland, Florence | Cleveland, Jettie Boler |
| Cleveland, Marion | Cole, Infant Son | Eatmon, Lula M. |
| Fielder, Rodley Ermias | Gaines, Infant | Gaines, Isaiah |
| Gardner, Algie Lee | Gardner, Armetta Thames | Gardner, Clifton Lavell |
| Gardner, Daisy Lyles | Gardner, Irene Baylor | Gardner, Walter E. |
| Gardner, Walter E. | Glaspy, Onie | Glenn, Laura |
| Hawkins, Infant Son | Hoye, Flem | Hoye, Infant Daughter |
| Hunter, Cora | Jackson, Infant Son | Johnson, Even |
| Johnson, Ida | Johnson, Mary Louise | Johnson, Robert |
| Johnson, Robert, Sr. | Jordan, Johnnie Mack | Jordan, Lula G. |
| Laster, W.M. | Loper, James E. | Loper, Ophelia Thames |
| Loper, Ossie Lee | Loper, S.L. | McAlpin, Jule |
| McCune, Infant Son | McCune, Sadie Mae Windham | McCune, Stephen Jacob, Jr. |
| McDowell, Barbara Ann Griffin | Nichols, Bobby | Nichols, Dearman |
| Nichols, Dessie Ree Stepheny | Nichols, Dolly | Nichols, Elias Milton, Jr. |
| Nichols, Elias, Milton | Nichols, Felton Colman | Nichols, Grigsby |
| Nichols, Hayward R. | Nichols, Henry | Nichols, Infant Son |
| Nichols, Jimmie L. | Nichols, Leroy R. | Nichols, Lodia Jane Griffin |
| Nichols, Margaret Thames | Nichols, Mary | Nichols, Mary Cornelius |
| Nichols, Mary Louise Gardner | Nichols, Mary Roberta Hoye | Nichols, Moton |
| Nichols, Nora Shelby | Nichols, Sandy, Jr. | Nichols, Sandy |
| Nichols, Thelma J. | Hoye, Maggie Windham Nichols | Thames, Eara B. Nichols |
| Nicholson, Albert, Jr. | Pace, Richard | Patrick, Verea Mae |
| Phelps, Eddie | Phelps, Mary Jane | Phelps, Myrtle Lee Windham |
| Reed, Mary Alice | Richmond, Jim | Wells, Mable Lucille Dove Rushing |
| Russell, George Charles | Russell, Izora | Seals, Charles |
| Seals, Mattie | Smith, Emma Lou | Smith, Johnnie Albert |
| Starkey, Dorothy Thames | Stribling, Fred D. | Stribling, Kathrean |
| Tanksley, George, Jr. | Tanksley, James Earl | Tanksley, John Ella |
| Thames, Alexander | Thames, Alvin | Thames, Ben F. |
| Thames, Benjamin | Thames, Bertis | Thames, Carrie L. |
| Thames, Charlie | Thames, Charlie | Thames, Daniel E. |
| Thames, Dauthie | Thames, Donald Portman | Thames, Eddie B. |
| Thames, Evan | Thames, Evie Glaspy | Thames, Franklin |
| Thames, Harriet | Thames, Harvey | Thames, Hattie Mae |
| Thames, Infant Daughter | Thames, Isom | Thames, J.C., Sr. |
| Thames, James | Thames, James E. ‘Teddy” | Thames, Jeanetta Payne |
| Thames, Joe E. | Thames, John West | Thames, Johnnie |
| Thames, Justic | Thames, Lawrence | Thames, Lee Velma Lewis |
| Thames, Leon | Thames, Little Benjamin | Thames, Louisa Hoye |
| Thames, Malissa “Millie” | Thames, Martice | Thames, Mary |
| Thames, Mary Lee | Thames, Prince | Thames, Robert |
| Thames, Simon | Thames, Tom | Thames, Wiley |
| Thames, Willard | Thames, William | Thames, William, Jr. |
| Thames, Willie | Thames, Winnie J. | Tingle, John Westley |
| Tingle, Raymond | Tingle, Tom W. | Windham, Pauline Annabel Tucker |
| Walk, Elma Thames | Warren, Sam | Wash, Sondra C. |
| Weatherspoon, E.J. | Welch, Samuel R. | Welch, Vera |
| Whitfield, Lula M. | Wilheight, Cornelia | Wilson, Bobbie |
| Wilson, Candis Ruth Hickmon | Wilson, Dorothy Anna | Wilson, Eugene W. |
| Wilson, L.C. | Wilson, Robert Lee | Wilson, Timothy |
| Wilson, Willie B. | Windham, Carolyn Delois | Windham, Catherine “Kate” |
| Windham, Clifton | Windham, Della Hoye | Windham, Emma Glenn |
| Windham, Emma | Windham, Eugene | Windham, Flem |
| Windham, Heber | Windham, Helen B. Cleveland | Windham, Henry Clay |
| Windham, Jessie Filmore | Windham, Jessie Lee | Windham, Lula Mae |
| Windham, Mary | Windham, Missouri | Windham, Rex Edward |
| Windham, Seber Cecil | Windham, Tyree | Windham, William |
| Windom, Eugene C. | Windom, W.W.J. | Woodard, Ethel Tanksley |