INDIAN BOTTOM ASSOCIATION
Regular Baptist of Jesus Christ
Held with Old Carr Church ~ Litt Carr, Kentucky
September 6, 7, 8  1963

Obituaries

Submitted by Peggy (Mullins) Brock

Craft, Bennie E.-On February 10, 1907 the giver of all] life sent into the home of Archie C. Craft and Pricey Adkins Craft a flower to grace that home, being the second son the proud parents chose for him the name of Bennie Emit. At this home on Milllstone Creek Craftsville, Kentucky. Bennie grew to manhood and just to know him was to love him. Sept. 16, 1931 at Cromona, Kentucky, he took by the right hand Peble Taylor the beautiful daughter of Willie and Martha Masun Taylor and joined before God this he would be a kind and loving husband and that she would be to him an humble and obedient wife. This vow they kept to the last Millstone, (Death). To this union were born 4 children, Peggy Joyce Blair, Batesville, Ind., Ronald Eugene Craft, Tyndall Air Force Base, Tyndall, Fla., Bennie Edward Craft, Columbus, Ind., and Larry Gaylle Craft at home. Bennie never attached himself to any church but Oh! the many, many conversations we have had together and I am more thankful than I will ever be able to express of the faith he had in God and the many wonderful things God had done for him but the greatest being the forgiveness of his sins. This great work he has made known to many and he just longed for his call to come and that nothing of this earth could cause him to betray the trust and faith he had in his redeemer. While suffering great pain he called his companion to his bedside just before the light of day chased away the shadows of night and said I have been talking to the Lord and I feel that everything is alright. Bennie had been in poor health for several years but his affliction and suffering he bore with great patience everly looking to God the author and finisher of our faith. August 2, 1963 Bennie was caught in a rock fall while about the toils of his labor for his family of whom he was so proud, it seemed that for the last twelve years every thing he did was for his wife and children. He labored many days when he should have been in bed, a more honest laborer, honorable father or faithful husband I never knew. In this mine accident Bennie received injuries such that the gallant spirit housed in the frail and afflicted body could not fight off death, He told me on Tuesday and others before his passing that if this was his time to go that not an obstacle was blocking his way. There was only two regrets he had one is not being Baptized and leaving his wife and children. So on August 9, 1963 just after midday he started the rugged journey down the steep slopes to the banks of Jordan, the crossing is easy once the trip has been made after reaching the lapping waters a tired heart refused to beat the cistern wheel refused to roll the silver cord was broken in twain. The same quiet voice which had spoken peace to his soul spoke again this time to say Bennie your labor is over your pain shall cease come away to Me. Then at 6:20 he quietly and peacefully slipped away to the arms of Jesus leaving to mourn his passing a heart broken companion 4 bereaved children and 2 grandchildren Sherry and Chucky Blair, 11 brothers and sisters and a host of relatives, friends and neighbors. We feel his neighborhood has lost a neighbor indeed his family a true and devoted father, his fellow laborers an honest and upright companion but God has gained another jewel to decorate his throne. His stay on this earth was 56 years 5 months and 29 days. We sincerely feel that our great loss is heavens eternal gain. We are sure if Bennie could speak to all those so dear to him he would say grieve not for me, my suffering is over so please won't you all come and live with me in my new home, as the poet once said can truly be said of Bennie's chair is vacant in our home A voice we loved is stilled A void and aching in our hearts The world can never fill. Submitted by a broken hearted companion, four mourning children and an unworthy brother in hope.

Davidson, Mrs. Wynema - was born June 7, 1900. She deceased this life March 1, 1963. Age 62 years, 8 months, and 22 days She was married to Sanders Davidson August 20, 1918. To this union was born seven children: one daughter, Mrs. Beulah Maggard of Dayton, Ohio; six sons: Ova Davidson of Xenia, Ohio; Arlie Davidson of Dayton, Ohio; Oberine Davidson of Dayton, Ohio; Franklin D. Davidson of Pikeville, Kentucky; Elmer Davidson of West Milton, Ohio; one son: Walden Davidson, preceded her in death. She has thirty grandchildren living, and one has preceded her in death. She also has two great grandchildren. Also her father, Jasper Pratt, was left here to mourn for his daughter's absence. Also five brothers and five sisters are left here to mourn. Her husband, Sanders Davidson, preceded her in death. She was left here with six children to raise and find some means to support them. She had no income other than what she labored with her hands and earned from day to day. She labored hard through many years to support these children in an honest and upright way. Although she had a hard road to travel she did a great job and God blessed her to raise all of them grown, that was left here with her. In doing this job she begged the help of no man but trusted in an all-wise God, and though it cost her many drops of sweat, many hours of worry, and many tears that she shed, yet she accomplished that which few mothers would have undertaken by themselves. In all these years of trouble and trials and tribulations and sorrows she never faltered in her faith in God that he would provide her a way and^was respected and honored by all who knew what she was going through with. Even when her health began to fail her still she never ceased to labor in an honest and honorable way to support herself and her children. She joined the Old Regular Baptist Church and was baptized into full fellowship in July, 1953. She spent the remainder of her life in the old church and never faltered in the faith and practice of it. Even in her greatest pains and sufferings in her afflictions she held to this faith and prayed for God to take her home out of this unfriendly world. We now feel that God has answered her prayers and that she is resting from her labors and henceforth her works do follow after her. Her children have given up one of the greatest mothers that this country has ever known and surely her walks of life before them will cause them to always remember their mother with honor and desire to live the life that she lived in the sight of God, and surely her life will be a guiding light before them all the days of their lives, and us, her brothers and sisters should strive to leave as good and respectable life behind us when we leave this world as she has done. Although we cannot fully realize the sorrow that is with her Daddy at this time of having to give up his first child in this life we feel that her life will he a great consoling spirit to him. She will be missed by a great host of friends as well as Her relatives and the old church, but we feel that our loss is heaven's gain. Written by Steve Pratt

Frazier, Fred W.-With a sad heart I will try to write the obituary of our beloved husband and father. Fred W. Frazier, son of George and Cornelia Banks Frazier, was born in Letcher County, the year of 1896. He departed this life October 20, 1962, making his stay on earth 66 years; seven months and 13 days. He leaves to mourn his loss, his wife, Dora Sumpter Frazier; two daughters and five sons. His daughters are: Edith and Shirley of Whitesburg. His sons are: Ray and Jack, Whitesburg, Ralph of Brinkley, Charles and Clyde of Michigan. He also leaves 23 grandchildren, two sisters and one brother. Daddy died in the VA hospital at Mountain Home, Tenn. after a stay of three months and eight days. While there he wrote his wife to tell their children and grandchildren to turn from the ways of this world and meet him where he felt like he was going, for his lath grew stronger every day. He and his wife were both members of the Big Cowan Regular Baptist Church, and he remained a faithful member until his death and always made welcome anyone of the friends and neighbors that came to visit him. On the last visit the children made to see him, he told Edith he had been going down for sometime, and felt like he was near his end, but from then on it would be going up for him. He smiled when he was so weak he could hardly raise up. He said, I can see the sky anytime I look outside and it looks bright most of the time. We all feel our loss is Heaven's gain. Oh, children, if you ever see daddy again turn from sin and live for Jesus. Sleep on daddy, we hope some day we'll meet again to part no more. Written by his wife and children. Dora Frazier

Hagans, Lewis B. - was the son of Tom and Nancy Hagans. He was born May 6, 1877, deceased January 28, 1963. His stay on earth was 85 years, eight months and 21 days. He was married to Polly Ann Combs in the year of 1902 To this union were born 13 children, two of them preceded him in death. He leaves 11 children and a widow, five boys, Lawrence of Hazard, T. J. of Springfield, Oh o, Robert of Red Fox, Paul of Hazard and Joseph B. of Lexington; six girls, Grace McCravy, Louisville, Priscilla Mungo of Boston, Mass., Viola Buckley of Boston, Mass., Nancy Welch of Springfield, Ohio, Revella Hagans,, Boston, Mass., Floretta Clayton, Red Fox; two sisters, Luanda Hagans and Mollie Hoskins and 32 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends. He was a member of the Little Home Church for about 35 years and died a faithful member. He was a great defender of Regular Baptist doctrine faith and practiced. He loved for his Brethren, neighbors and friends to come in and talk with him about religious things. A few days before he died he called for some of the Brethren to come and sing for him. After we had gathered, he said you are the ones I want to sing. A song has been on my mind. The song "I am a Poor Wayfaring Stranger" and "Blest Be The Tide That Binds". After singing and prayer and preaching he said I love all the children of God. I love sinners, but I don't love the way of sinners. We feel and believe he lived his profession and died in full triumph of the faith. We feel our loss is his eternal gain. Written by: Alvin Hagans

Hudson, Thomas-was born Sept.18, 1898. He deceased from this life Oct.11, 1962. He is 64 years and one month old. He leaves to mourn for him four sons, Darvin, Gordon, James and Bobby Gene Hudson; one daughter, Juanita Perry; his seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; his four brothers, Isom, Gnatt, Gabe and Estill Hudson; one sister, Mima Nickles. Brother Tom was an inflicted man many years of his life. In his later years be became to be a praying man. He joined the Old Regular Baptist Church in August of 1961. He was baptized into full fellowship of the Clear Creek Church. He was a faithful member and filled his seat in church as long as he was able to do so. He always met you with a smile both friends and strangers. His main conservation was of the Lord and the old church. He came to realize that his days were few with his friends and brothers and expressed his feelings many times that he desired to go on home. When his affliction became so great that he could not speak to us he would smile and life his hands toward Heaven. As we stood by his bedside seeing these things, we felt that surely his eyes were beholding Heaven and immortal glory. The scripture came to us in our minds that the Lord had said, "Blessed are those that die in the Lord, for henceforth their works do follow after them." Surely the works walk and talk of Brother Tom will long linger in the hearts of his friends and neighbors. The Old Church will greatly miss Brother Tom, also a great host of friends and neighbors will miss him. But we feel our loss is Heaven's gain.

Hurt, Bessie - was born May 4, 1904, deceased this life March 11, 1963, age 58 years and 10 months and 7 days. She leaves to mourn for her, her husband, Philas Hurt, also five boys and four girls. Also 22 grandchildren. Two children preceded her in death. She joined the Little Rose Church of Old Regular Baptist and lived the remainder of her life therein. She was a faithful member and filled her seat as long as she was able to do so. She will be greatly missed by many friends and relatives, also by the church. But we feel that our loss is heaven's gain and that she is resting around the throne of God.  Steve Pratt

Martin, Millie-This obituary that I am going to write about, which is my beloved mother, Millie Martin, whom I miss so much, but still, has gone I hope to a happy home, where she will never have no more pain and trouble. Millie Martin whom was the daughter of Ren Hall and Jeff Hall. She was born to them June 22, 1873 and departed from us and this life August 16, 1982. Her age, 89 years, one month and 25 days. Mother lived a wonderful life with her nine children, which three have already departed from us. She was married to Silas Martin in 1894. He departed from her in April, 1947. Mother missed him very much, but she went on and finished out the time God had given her. Mother joined the Old Regular Baptist Church at Old Carr and later moved her letter to the Little Home Church of Regular Baptist. She went to church every time that she could, even though she didn't feel like it. She would go and say God would bless her. She would have to be bedfast before she stopped going. She had been in the church 27 years, as to my knowledge. Mother took sick several months before her death. She was taken to the hospital which was Homeplace Hospital at Ary, Ky. about two weeks before she died. She did not want to go but mother was having so much pain she had to have something done. The suffering she was having was so severe, she could hardly stand it. Left to mourn is her six children which are four boys and two girls. The two girls are Ada Nickles, of Litt Carr, and Diania Bentley, Mallie. The boys are Cody Martin, Hindman, Silas Martin an and Babe Martin, of Litt Carr, and also Mack Martin. She had 61 grandchildren and 99 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren, and also many more relatives and friends to mourn her death. I, Ada Nickles, who is writing this which is her daughter, went into her room by her bedside, and asked what she was wanting. She was reaching up toward Heaven. She told me that she seen Jesus,, and the Angels playing on the Wall. She said when she touched Jesus she would be at rest. When mother was at the hospital, she told me that her husband, brother-in-law and her baby who had passed on, had come to her and she said she was going to live with them when Jesus came after her. She would never have to suffer any more and be with God and all will be done. Written by her beloved daughter whom she loved very much, Ada Nickles

Simpson, Sister Matilda Jane - was born Sept. 14, 1892 and deceased Feb. 12, 1963, age 70 years, 5 months, 12 days. She leaves to mourn her passing her husband J. P. Simpson, and three children, Floyd Simpson, Edna Taulbee and Okla Smith; five brothers, John R. Mullins, Troy Mullins, Newton Mullins, Tom Mullins, and Arlie Mullins; four sisters, Nancy Everage, Louisa Fields, Sally Fields and Dora Ashley. One brother preceded her in death. She leaves a great host of friends and relatives to mourn her passing. She died as she lived a great soldier. She walked a path that would be well for any one to take.. A wonderful mother and a great friend to all. She joined the old Regular Baptist Church on Sept. 2, 1982 and was baptized on the same day, and remained there until her death. Sister Tilda will be greatly missed by the present sisters. Written by her daughter Edna S. Taulbee, Elder Arvil Mullins.

Slone, Cora-It is in much weakness that 1 try to write an obituary of Sister Cora Slone, born August 18, 1899 and died April 2, 1963, making her stay on earth 63 years, 7 months and 15 days, She was the daughter of Henry B. and Sarah Slone, and was married to Noah Slone, February 5, 1919. To this union were born eight children. Three preceded her in infancy. She left her husband, five children, several grandchildren, two brothers, two sisters, brothers and sisters in the church, and a host of friends to mourn her loss. But I believe by the life she lived that our loss is Heaven's eternal gain. She joined the Mt. Olive Church of Old Regular Baptist, September, first Saturday, 1935. She was a faithful member until death. To her children and grandchildren, ones that are in sin, I believe that if you want to meet her, you must fall out with sin and ,be born again. I could write many good things concerning Sister Cora, but I don't want to make the obituary too lengthy. Written by a brother in the flesh and also in the Lord, I hope, Elder Marion Slone

Smith, Charlie - was born Feb. 29th, 1888, and passed away April 15th, 1963, making his stay here on earth seventy-five years, one month, 15 days. In his early life he was married to Matilda Everage, December 21st, 19l!2 and they lived together until separated by death. About the year of 1924 he was stricken down with rheumatism. He was not able to work any more. We had a hard time. In the year of 1925 he professed a hope in the Lord and was baptized into the fellowship of the little Home Church of the old Regular Baptist faith and order. Then later he came to the little Bethlehem Church by a letter and remained to be a good member until death came and took him away. He did attend his meetings as long as he could sit up. He did enjoy hearing the Gospel preached. It did seem to feed his soul. Now he is gone and we do believe this our loss here for him is Heavens gain. Written by a Brother in the Lord, McKinley McIntosh.

CHURCHES AND DELEGATES

OLD CARR: Isom Everage, Monroe Couch and Alonzo Watts.

BIG COWAN: Ellis Banks, John D. Ison and Grant Banks.

CLEAR CREEK: Frank Fugate, Burley Combs and Robert Combs.

INDIAN BOTTOM: Dawson Dixon, Willie Dixon and Willie Whitaker.

MALLET FORK: Ira Honeycutt, Creed Amburgey and John H. Fields.

HURRICANE GAP: Troy Shepherd, Byrd Fields and Curtis Blevins.

SANDLICK: Bill Hamilton Curt Caudill and Lewis Craft.

DOTY CREEK: Monroe Caudill, M. L. Amburgey and H. B. Whitaker.

LITTLE HOME: Alvin Hagans, Dewey Hagans and Silas Nichols.

JAMES MEMORIAL: Clarence Fields, Green Fields and Wilson Fields.

NEW Bethlehem: Dan Noble, George Fugate and Silas Williams.

LITTLE DANIEL: John Madden, Watson Sexton and Cullen Sexton.

DRY PORK: Aster Whitaker, Bethel Campbell and Clifton Cornett.

LITTLE BETHLEHEM: L. B. Day, H. B. Reedy and William Everage.

CLEAR FORK: Caney Gayheart, Carew Smith and Martin B. Patrick.

CRAB ORCHARD: No delegates.

LITTLE ROSE: Steve Pratt, Curtis Bentley and Tom Cornett.

LONE VALLEY: Willie Madden, Silas Frazier and William L. Sumner.

MAGGIE MEMORIAL: Dan Gibson. Dan Prater and Carter Hicks.