Indian Bottom Association of Regular Baptist of Jesus Christ
1954 MINUTES 
September 3, 4, and 5

OBITUARIES

Transcribed by Terry Triplett

Campbell, Jep & Malinda Campbell ~  Jeb Campbell was born November 5, 1869, deceased October 20, 1953, age 84 years.  Malinda Campbell was born February 28, 1867, deceased December 21, 1953, age 86 years.  To this union was born 14 children, five of them have passed on while there are five girls and four boys living.   They were both kind and loving parents.  Mother joined the Regular Baptist Church several years before her death and was faithful to her profession.  She was the most humblest woman I ever saw.  She was so easy and kind to us and ever body.  In the last year or two of her life she was very feeble in mind.  It hurt us so bad to see her in that condition.  But God loved her and we believe he took her where she will not be feeble anymore, were no Sorrow can be, where she will be as the Angels of God. Dad never joined any church but he believed in the Old Regular Baptist way and would often call for the brothers to come and preach for him, he was kind to everybody and was humble.  I am thankful to the good Lord I heard him pray many times.  We are all satisfied about his condition.  I feel sure according to his talk he is with mother now.  He died about two months after mother did.  To my brothers and sisters, if you want to see dad and mother again you must repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ then you can go where they are and be with them forever and forever in that happy land where all will be joy, peace and happiness.    Written by Ritter Halcomb.

Caudill, Bill ~ With a sad and broken heart I will try to write an obituary of my loving old father, who has left our little home here on Earth to go to live with Jesus, I feel.  Bill Caudill was born October 8, 1875, deceased October 2, 1952.  He was married to Louisa Dixon about 1900 and to this union nine children were born, 5 preceded him in death; Louisa died in 1917.  He was married to Anna Caudill January 19, 1921, and to this union eight children were born and four of them preceded him in death.  He joined the Indian Bottom Church in January, 1911, was baptized and February, 1911, and was a faithful member until death; was ordained as a Deacon of Cedar Grove Church about 1930, and serve them until he was called by death.  The church has been a faithful member, and community an honest and upright citizen.  He leaves his wife, eight children, grandchildren, one brother and other relatives and friends to mourn his loss.  I feel our loss is his eternal gain. Just a few minutes for he passed away he was looking around and his wife asked him what he was looking for and he said he was looking for his children.  But we were unable to understand his very last words, as he was passing away.  He loved his children and I am sure he had some good words to tell us if we could have just heard him.  He worked very hard all his life for his family and I sure feel he's taking his rest in heaven now.   Us that don't have a hope to meet our father, after this life is over, I hope can be right before death comes.   Written by his son of George B. Caudill.

Combs, Mrs. Ida ~ Mrs. Ida Combs Francis of Carr Creek, a member of one of the oldest and best-known families in Eastern Kentucky, passed away at 8:15 Friday evening, June 11, just six days short of her 75th birthday, in the mount Mary Hospital in Hazard. Mother was born June 17, 1879, at Jeff, Kentucky, the youngest daughter of Clinton and Louanna Baker Combs.  Early in life she was married to the late Simeon Francis, a school teacher and farmer of Carr Creek.  To this union was born 13 children.  She and dad were great believers in the Old Regular Baptist Church, and in good schools.  They donated much of the land on which the Carr Fork School stands. In May, 1903, mother joined the Old Carrs Fork Regular Baptist Church.  For over 51 years she was a true and faithful member, and was the oldest member (not in age) of the church.  Even though she had been in poor health for several years, she was blessed to be able to attend various Old Regular Baptist Churches in Eastern Kentucky, and as far away as Michigan.  It was her food and her drink, she was a true mother in Israel.  Her life before her children and her neighbors was a shining example was will live on in the hearts of many. As she lay on her hospital bed she realized the end was near.  She said, “I feel like all my suffering will soon be over”.  All the family were at the bedside, and one of the best doctors, and nurses, in our land were standing over her, when without the least sign of a struggle she quietly and very peacefully went to sleep. Mother is survived by 10 children; Sam of Wichita Falls, Texas, Bill, Arthur, and Vincent of Detroit, and Wallace of Detroit and Carr Creek.  Byrle and Burnette at home, Mrs. Reuben Morgan of Emmalena, Kentucky, Mrs. Ray Marr of Detroit, and Mrs. B. T.  Smith of Columbus, Ohio.  She also leaves one sister Mrs. George Knuckles of Bell County, Kentucky, and 16 grandchildren and four great grandchildren. On Monday, June 14, and overflowing multitude attended her funeral in the Old Carrs Fork Regular Baptist Church.  The Reverend Earl Howard read the obituary and opened, followed by Baxter Osborne and Burton Howard, and Ellis Hopkins close.  They were all blessed wonderfully.  Burial was in the Francis Cemetery at Carr Creek, where prayer was held by Rev. John Sparkman.  We tried our best to do everything exactly like we believe mother would have wanted it. The old home is a lonesome one, and it never could possibly be the same anymore. But, the good Lord saw fit to take our beloved mother across Jordan, and on over Home.  She cannot come back to us, but by the grace of God we can go to her. Written by her son, Wallace B. Francis.

Craft, Julia ~  Obituary of Julia Craft, daughter of Frelind Parks and Sarah Meade, was born December 29, 1864 in Grayson County, Virginia, died March 24, 1953, age 88 years, two months and 22 days. She is survived by five children, three passed on to the great beyond, were trouble and sorrow is no more.The five who are living: Tonie Seals, Littcarr, Kentucky; J. W. Perkins, Manor, Kentucky; Ritter Short, Ivis, Ky; Mayo Craft, Ivis, Kentucky; Joe Craft, Lexington, Kentucky. She joined the Regular Baptist Church in the year of 1917, at Mallet Fork and lived a faithful member to her death. We feel our loss is heaven's gain. Mother’s soul is at rest awaiting the adoption, with redemption of the body that now sleeps the sleep of death. We look forward to that day when Jesus Christ will come together with His sheep in one fold. Written by her son, Mayo Craft. 

Fields, Willie ~ It is with a sad feeling I will try to write a sketch of the life of my husband, Willie Fields.  He was born March 15, 1903, deceased September 15, 1953.  He was married to Sinda Mullins in the year of 1919.  To this union was born six children, three boys and three girls, Sisco Fields , Mayking, Kentucky, Truby Fields, Moses Lake, Washington; Samuel Fields, Mayking, Kentucky, Irene Hall, Newport News, Virginia; Emmy Polly, Mayking, Kentucky; Zelma Asby, Newport News, Virginia.  He joined the Old Regular Baptist Church at Mallet Fork Sunday, October 3, 1939 and lived a faithful life until death.  He had a stroke in 1953 which paralyzed him in his left side for quite a while.  Then he got so he could go around again and September 12, 1953 he had a fatal stroke that took him over that great beyond.  He was a strong believer in the faith and was faithful to attend his meetings and all other churches as far as he was able to go.  He was loved by all who knew him.  He was a Deacon and a clerk for several years and more than all he love to keep a clean church.  He always said a church without older wasn't worth anything.  He was a good father and loved his family.  He always counseled his children often.  Children if you ever want to meet your Papa repent of your many sins and live for Jesus for I have a hope to believe he is resting around the throne of God.
“A precious one from us is gone,
A voice we loved is still
A place is vacant in our home
That never can be filled”.
Written by his loving wife, Sinda Fields.

Franklin, Mary Watts ~ It is with a sad and broken heart, I will try to write an obituary of my mother, Mary Watts Franklin.  She was born May 5, 1874.  She professed a hope in the Lord Jesus Christ, May, 1951; was baptized into Fellowship with the Old Regular Baptist Church, Little Bethlehem.  She was married to John Watts and to this union was born five children, four living; one boy proceeded her in death.  After her first husband deceased, she was married to Dave Franklin and to this union was born six children, one boy and one girl preceded her in death, four living.  She was the mother of 11 children, three children and two husbands preceded her in death.  Eight children are still living and left to mourn her loss.  She was loved by them all and we miss her so.  Her death bed confession was that she said she didn't want a mix multitude preaching her funeral.  The Old Regular Baptist Faith and Order, what she belong to, was the only one for her and to let her light shine to her children who are still in the world, that they must repent and be born again before you leave this world, if you want to meet your father and mother again.  Children mothers God is your God and if you want to meet mother who has gone on to that happy land, make peace with God in this world before it is too late.  Written by her son, Brother Garland Franklin.

McKnight, Ira & Nancy Allie McKnight ~ It is with a sad heart that I will try to write an obituary of the life of my dear daddy and mother, Ira McKnight and Nancy Allie McKnight.  Daddy was born June 18, 1876, died February 10, 1953. Mother was born May 10, 1879, died February 12, 1953.  Just two days between their deaths.  It must have been the good Lord’s will for them to go the way they did, for they were always side-by-side.  They had both been in bad health for several years with asthma.  They stayed at my home most of the time for over a year until the Lord called them home.  It was so sad to have to give them up.  But the Lord knows best.  I have heard poor daddy say many times when his suffering was over here, it was all over for him.  He was a Regular Baptist preacher for over 40 years.  He would cross big mountains with his walking cane to go and preach the gospel and be with his brethren.  It did there hearts good for the Regular Baptist preachers and all the children of God to come to their home.  My dear mother didn't belong to the church, but she was a believer in the Regular Baptist Church.  We truly believe that she is at rest with daddy for she talked so sweet to her children the night daddy died.  She told us to prepare to meet him while we still have time and opportunity, so I believe she is at rest where she will not have to suffer no more.  She was always so good and kind to her children.  The night she died she looked at us all and said “children you all look good to me”, she died with a smile on her face and clasped her little feeble hands, shouting as she left us.  There are four girls and three boys still living; two of the boys are dead, one died in infancy and one was killed in World War II.  So I hope by the grace of God that each and every one of their children will get ready to meet them in heaven where we will never have to part no more.  I will never forget the prayers my poor daddy pray for his children, that they not be cut down in their sins.  Sometimes I can almost hear daddy singing the good old gospel songs.  His favorite song was, “amazing Grace, how sweet the sound”.  Mother’s song was, “precious memories”.Elder Caleb Creech and Elder Cullen Hogg preached their funeral and sung these songs.  Sleep on daddy and mother, until we meet again.   
Written by their daughters, Mallie Fleenor and Mary Kelly.

Moore, Polly ~ With a sad and aching heart I will try to write the obituary of my loving mother, Polly Moore.  She was born June 17, 1885 at Buckhorn, Kentucky.  She was 68 years, three months and 24 days old.  She died October 11, 1953.  On August 21, 1901, she was married to Can Moore and to this union was born nine children: Ollie Sloan, Southdown, Kentucky; Ezzie Short, Pippapass, Kentucky; Willard Moore, Spider, Kentucky; Hiram Moore, Mallie, Kentucky; Myrtle Moore, Elkhorn City, Kentucky; Delmar Moore, Mallie, Kentucky; and John B. Moore, Cincinnati, Ohio; and one boy and one girl preceded her in death.  She joined the Old Regular Baptist Church at Reynolds Fork, on April 5, 1950 and was baptized May 4, she was a faithful member until her death.  She went to church every Sunday as long as she was able.  She was a dear sweet mother, and we all miss her so, but we feel our loss is heaven's gain.  Besides us children, she has three brothers and two sisters and a host of grandchildren to mourn her loss.  Her father and mother, Bill Howard and Sarah Maggard Howard, proceeded her in death.  I feel sure that mother was loved by all who knew her, so children, if you want to meet mother again, we must follow in her footsteps, as you know she would want us to.   Written by her broken hearted son, Delmar Moore.

Morton, Millard & Eva Arminta  ~  Millard Morton, born August 24, 1907, deceased December 25, 1952.  Age 45 years, four months and one day.  Eva Arminta Morton was born March 12, 1905 deceased December 25, 1952.  Age 47 years, nine months, 13 days. They were married February 4, 1926.  To this union was born two sons, James Morton Jr., Hamilton, Ohio; Linzie Morton, Smithsboro, Kentucky. About the year of 1929, Brother Morton professed a hope in Christ and joined the Little Home Church of Regular Baptist.  He was called to the ministry and was faithful to his calling in expanding the doctrine of Christ.  No one could condemn him by his life, because it was clean.  Later he went to the Big Leatherwood Church by letter and was a great help to that church.  He was always ready to go to the aid of any of our people in time of trouble and willing to assist any church in any way he could.  Also Eva, his wife, later joined the Little Home Church and went by his side; helped him to bear his burdens.  She bore every mark of a Christian.  They went together with their lives devoted to the cause of Christ.  Always ready to meet you with a friendly handshake and a heart full of love.  Their conversations were godly.  They dearly loved their boys and friends and wanted everyone to live right.  Brother Millard preached his last sermon in the Sandlick Church of Regular Baptist, was wonderfully blessed and said, “I guess this will be the last sermon I will ever preach”.  And it was.  Also he said he would never see his son Linzie again.  And he did not.  The boy was in the service in Europe at the time.  So they whet to Hamilton, Ohio to see their son, James.  They were hit by a fast train one killed them both. To you, James and Linzie, if you ever want to see dad and mother again, you must repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.  They have left a host of friends and relatives to mourn their loss and our loss is heaven's gain.   Written by Elder J. W. Pratt, Elder L. B. Day.

Mullins, Wilson C. ~ (written by himself)    I, Wilson C. Mullins, son of John and Selah Mullins was born September 29, 1870 and deceased February 15, 1954 age 82 years, four months, 16 days at time of death.  On March 5, 1902, I was married to Jane Emeline Boggs, a daughter of Elisha and Sally Boggs.  We lived a quiet and peaceful life until she deceased on January 3, 1928.  Then on September 2, 1931, I was married to Rufine Blevins, the widow of Newton Blevins and living a quiet peaceable life with her.  There were no children born to either union.  When I was 18 years of age, I received that sweet hope that when I leave this world I will be ready to meet my Savior in that happy world where I will be forever with Him in happiness.  Than in a short time I began to want to follow in the footsteps of my Savior by being baptized.  Many times in riding the road I would come to a hole of clear water and I desired so much for some good preacher to be there and put me in.  But I was young I felt that they would not want me in the church, and then besides that I had doubts all along and I wanted to put it off until I could get rid of them.  So I put it off for about five years but I had to go without getting rid of them, and I am not rid of them yet.  But when I told them what I felt the Lord had done for me and fulfilled his commandments all of the desires were gone. Now in regard to the funeral, many people want to send off and get so-called big preachers.  I am too small and unworthy of that.  So I will just get two preachers that are close the Fayette Caudill, but if any of the preachers of The Indian Bottom Association who are 100 percent for the orders of the Association and have time for them to exercise, I want them all to have a part but as they are all live some distance, it would be some trouble for someone to go after them and take them back.  I want Brother Henry to read the obituary as he is a good reader and let Brother Fayette use all the time he wants to and offer prayer and Brother Henry use all the time he wants to use or of some of the other preachers are at the funeral that I have mentioned and they can read the obituary it is all right.  Or if the way that I have mentioned it does not suit their mind, I would want them to exercise according to their mind.  Sent in by a Brother in hope of eternal life Elder Henry Raleigh. 

Pratt, E. H. ~  It is with a sad and aching heart that I will try to write the obituary of my loving husband, E. H. Pratt.  Born February 23, 1877 and departed from this life November 3, 1953, at the age of 76 years, eight months, and 11 days.  We were married January 1, 1906, and raise nine children.  All are left to mourn his passing.  He also leaves 22 grandchildren, one brother, one sister, and a host of friends and relatives.  He was a kind and loving husband and father.  Oh, how we miss him, but we feel that our loss is heaven's gain.  He professed a hope in Christ while on his sick bed, but was unable to be baptized.  Children if you want to see daddy again, prepared to meet him in a better world than this, where there will be no separation.   Written by his weeping wife, Nannie Pratt.

Shepherd, Ell ~ With a sad heart I will attempt to write the obituary of our dear father, Ell Shepherd. He was born May 3, 1873, deceased March 6, 1952, making it stay on Earth 78 years, 10 months and three days.  He was married to Susanna Whitaker, December 19, 1894, and to this union was born 10 children.  His wife and 10 children survive him.  Five boys, E. R., Russell, Cibley, Robert and Arthur.  Five girls, Mary, Pherby, Gracie, Celestie and Hattie. He joined the Old Regular Baptist Church the first Saturday of July, 1911 and was baptized the first Saturday of August, 1911.  He lived a true and faithful member.  As he was in poor health for 33 years, but he bore his sickness with patients.  His passing away was sudden.   He told our mother that he was ready to go and had nothing to fear. He said a few days before he died that all he hated to die for was that he hated to leave her and the children.   He was loved by all who knew him and he had many friends to visit with him.  We feel our loss is heaven's eternal gain.  Written by his son, Cibley Shepherd.