Old Francis Cemetery

Today we went searching for the tiny cemetery where many of our James ancestors are buried. In the records that place is called "Old Francis Cemetery". It is located on property that we understand was donated by the James family. Its location is among a maze of dirt county roads in an area SE of Altus. So this morning we spent hours crisscrossing that area. We were here in 2007 so Gramma had a general idea of where it is. But because so much of the land is similar, we were about to give up. We pulled the dusty car over, well the dirt roads had no shoulder, but there was no traffic. Anyway we said a prayer. Over these three days of searching family history here abouts, we have had many prayers answered. We started out and in less than five minutes we saw this small sign! Coincidence? We don't think so.

Here is the wrought iron entrance sign.

Gramma is standing in front of a fenced area containing the graves of several of our family.

This marker is for Great Grandfather Andy James

Beside him is his wife Great Grandmother Susan Catherine Cole James

Gramma and Becca stand by the regal marker of Grandfather Frank Matthew James. He died a wealthy land owner at 33, leaving his wife Annie Lou Gore a young widow at 26 with two small children, Andy 6 and Velvia about 2

Annie Lou later married David Hallmark. She is buried beside her second husband.

Annie Lou's first son died at 22 from "typhoid fever"

Velvia (our Nana) married Beryl Baker and they had two children, James Houston who died at 2 and a half from "encephalitis," and Aunty Pat. Later Velvia married John Connelly, the father of Aunt Catherine and me.

James is Catherine and my brother and Andy F. is Catherine and my uncle. We should have known them both, but didn't get the chance in this life. Both are buried in this barren place.

If you should try to find Francis Cemetery, it is near the corner of Jackson County Road East 169 and Jackson County Road North 209.5 (on a pole with a bulletin ridden stop sign).

Good luck.