From the intersection of Hwy. 69 and Hwy. 19, travel north on Hwy. 19 for 0.1 mile. Turn east onto FM3274. Travel approximately 5 miles to the intersection of FM 3274 and RCR2300. The Willow Springs Church is situated just off the intersection with the Willow Springs Cemetery behind the church.

Row by Row reading

Thanks to Barbara King for the pictures and reading below.

(R.(Raymond) Fayne Childers
Oct 25, 1931 - Feb 20, 1996
Father of Tamela Gayle & Derek Fayne; grandfather of Victoria
(Shirlie J. Childers
Dec. 21, 1943   ------
Mother of Kimberlie Kae & David Jon

Rev. W. A. (Willie) Goff
(obit below)
May 11,. 1844 - Jan 13, 1920
Mary C.
wife of W. A Goff
Aug 13, 1846    Jan 27, 1895

Cornelius Goff
Oct 15, 1872   Dec 18, 1890

Luvicy Druecellie Parrish
July 28, 1859   Feb 7, 1935

L A Parrish
Feb 20, 1862   Oct 14, 1918
WOW

Mrs. Margaret A Morgan
July 4, 1836   Feb 6, 1918

Willie Bernard
son of G.A. and M.A. Morgan
b. Sept 28, 1887   d. Oct 1, 1889

Edward J.
Son of R.J and Lou E. Cooke
Dec 21, 1871     Aug 10, 1879

Lou E 
Wife of R J Cooke
Aug 27, 1846 (death date below ground)

Abbie Cooke
Wife of R J Cooke
Mar 1, 1858   Mar 22, 1891

G. A Morgan
(obit below)
July 28. 1860   Apr 4 1921

Alice
wife of G A Morgan
May 23, 1867    Mar 8, 1899

G E Buster Morgan
Dec 22, 1910   Dec 28, 1936

(Cecil Graves
1910    1995
(Murphy Graves
1903    1948

(Dennis B Harris
Jan 30, 1857   Oct 7, 1899
(Ada Harris O'Rear
Feb 16, 1871   Feb 24, 1955

(Elsie Graves
1875    1939
(Jim Graves
1870   1957

(Espie A Engleman
1868   1942
(John H Engleman
1870   1939

(Ford Graves
Apr 11, 1901     Nov 19, 1970
(Claudie Graves
Feb 23, 1904   Jan 17, 1984

B F Frank Shrum
Oct 26, 1890   Oct 25, 1976

L Turner
May 22, 1828   Jan 12, 1880
Lesael Turner
May 22, 1828    Jan 12, 1880   Believe these are 2 stones for same person

J. W. Woodson
b. July 30, 1882   d. Nov 20?, 1901

Molly Woodson         
wife of J W Woodson
Jul 30, 1882     Nov 10, 1901

(Patrick Claborn Wynn         PHOTO
Nov 3, 1925    Feb 1, 1989
Tec 5 US Army WW II
married Nov 6, 1948
(Eva Mae Wynn
Jun 19, 1929     --------

(Joe Clifton Jeffrey        PHOTO    (see obit below)
Feb 11, 1928    Oct 13, 1998
married Jul 28, 1956
(Maggie Lou Jeffrey
Mar 31, 1934    ---------

Metal Plate (no name or dates)

Metal Plate  (no name or dates)

Metal Plate (no name or dates)

Cement Block   

Cement Block  

Loyd Eugene Shrum
Aug 18, 1915    Nov 7, 1989

Martha A Turner
Feb 18, 1834    Dec 30, 1912

(Preston P Porter
1905   1940
(Elsie J Porter
1908   2000

(Randall Joe Franks
no dates
(Doris A Porter Franks
no dates

Ambros L Porter
1871    1962

(Bessie Burns Engleman
Feb 1, 1902   Mar 26, 1983
(Ocie Engleman      Cpl US Army WW I
Nov 16, 1893   Apr 7, 1986

Buck Angus Shrum
Aug 9, 1912    Mar 26, 1963

Bulah I Shrum
Feb 14, 1895  Nov 8, 1974

Alice Asaline
d/o LA and LD Parrish
b. Aug 29, 1884   d. Dec 27, 1884

Nancy Greer
b. 1825    d. ___ 6, 1898 

Ford Junior Graves
Tx S1 US Navy WW II
Oct 21, 1925   Mar 17, 1974

J. D. Graves
Tx S2 US Navy WW II
Mar 2, 1924     Mar 8, 1974

(Jean Dement Sykes 
Jan 5, 1931   --------
(Charles Emons Sykes  
Lt 3G US Navy WWII
Aug 4, 1923    Nov 28, 1998

James Mickey Thurman  Jul 13, 1947  Jun 28, 2005 (see obit below)

Obits & death notices from Rains County Leader

*********
Jake Myers Dead
As we go to press today (Thursday) we learn of the death of Mr. Jake Meyers, who died at his home near
Ginger Wednesday night, after a short illness with pneumonia. He was about 67 years of age and a
consistent member of the Christian church. His remains were buried at Willow Springs Thursday evening.
(The Rains Co. Leader, Jan 31, 1913)

*******
Rains County Leader
July 25, 1913
Aunt Vinie Worthington Dead
Aunt Vinie Worthington, wife of the late Uncle Joe Worthington, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. W.T.
Mackey, near Paducah, west Texas, Sunday morning and her remains were brought here and interred at the
Willow Springs graveyard beside her husband. She had a large circle of friends here who were grieved to
hear of her death.

Mrs. Worthington Dead

Mrs. J.A. Worthington of the Willow Springs neighborhood died last Saturday night with measles after about a weeks illness. She leaves a husband and several small children to mourn her death. Her remains were interred at the Willow Springs graveyard. The Leader sympathizes with the bereft family.
*******
August 27, 1915

Mr. Byrd Dead

Mr. Byrd of Ginger died Tuesday night after a long illness with tuberculosis and his remains were interred in the Willow Springs graveyard. The Leader has been unable to find out any more of the particulars of Mr. Byrd's death. We offer sympathy and condolences to the bereaved family.
************
September 10, 1915

Mr. Gaby Dead
Mr. Gaby, who has been sick for sometime, died at his home in the vicinity of Ginger, Sunday and his remains were interred at the Willow Springs cemetery Monday. Mr. Gaby was an Odd Fellow, holding membership at Mc Kinney, from a place he moved a short time ago, but the Emory lodge took charge of the funeral and performed the last sad ceremony. The Leader extends condolences and sympathy to the bereaved family.
************
January 16, 1920

Rev. Goff, an old citizen of this community, died at Edgewood last Tuesday and was buried in the Willow Springs cemetery Wednesday; in the presence of a large crowd of his old friends and neighbors. Bro. Martin, pastor of the Baptist church preached his funeral.

Rev. Goff Buried Here

Rev. W.A. Goff, formerly a citizen of this county for a number of years, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. I. L. Brown, at Edgewood, Tuesday morning about 5 o'clock and his remains were brought to Emory and buried Wednesday evening, Rev. C.M. Martin of this city conducting the funeral in the presence of friends and acquaintances. Rev. Goff was born in Alabama in May 1843. Was married in Mississippi and moved to Texas, locating at Riley Spring, Hopkins County. He served three years in the Civil War, being wounded twice, once in the hand and in the hip. He was converted and joined the Missionary Baptist Church 1874 and soon after was licensed to preach. He came to Rains County about thirty years ago, living here until about ten years ago, when he moved to West Texas, where he lived about thirty days ago when he was brought back to this county sick. He pastored the Emory Baptist Church and preached at many
different points in the County. He is survived by his wife and four daughters, Mrs. I.L. Brown of Edgewood; Mrs. J.W. Ham of Knox City; Mrs. R. D. Pollard of Millsap and Mrs. Will Waller of Millsap, besides other relatives.

**********
August 6, 1920

Mrs. B.F. Morrow Dead
Mrs. B.F. Morrow of the Boyd community died Tuesday night, and her remains were buried Thursday at Willow Springs. We have not yet been able to get particulars of the death but hope to have details and something of the life of this good lady for our next issue.

***********
August 27, 1920

Child Dies in Oklahoma
The 18-month-old child of Mr. and Mrs. Ross Harbison, died in Oklahoma last Saturday and its remains were brought to Emory and buried in the Willow Springs cemetery Monday. Mrs. Harbison, and children were on a visit to her parents at the time was taken sick with fever. The Leader offering condolences to the bereaved parents.

**********
November 12, 1920
Willow Springs Scraps

Mrs. Avery died last week and was buried at Willow Springs Thursday, the funeral being conducted by Bro. Martin.

The 2-year-old baby of James Bell and wife died last Sunday and was buried Monday. Its funeral was preached by Rev. Hukill.

**********
April 8, 1921
G.A. Morgan Died Suddenly
Friends were shocked Monday morning when the news reached Emory that George A. Morgan was dead. He had only been sick since the Wednesday night before and but few knew of his serious illness until the news came of his death. George A. Morgan was a native of Alabama, coming to Texas some thirty odd years ago and settling in the southeastern part of Rains County in the Boyd community. He was elected sheriff of the county and served in this capacity for four years, and was held in high esteem by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. He was nearly 61 years old. Funeral services were conducted at the residence by Rev. Cochran, pastor of the M.E. Church South, after which the Odd Fellows took charge and paid their last tribute to a departed member, at the Willow Springs grave yard Tuesday afternoon, in the presence of a large number of friends and acquaintances. The deceased is survived by his second wife and a ten year old son, two sons and one daughter by his first marriage, namely, Roy, who is at present attending the A&M College, Goodwin who is in the North, and Mrs. Charlie Glass of the Rocky Point community. Friends will join with the Leader in offering sympathy to the bereaved family.

April 15, 1921

Willow Springs Scraps
Mr. George Morgan of the Rocky Point community died last Monday morning and was buried at the Willow Springs cemetery Tuesday by the Odd Fellow, of which he was a member. Bro. Cochran, pastor of the Methodist church at Emory, held the funeral services in the Baptist church there being a large crowd of friends present.

*********************
June 1, 1923

Mr. and Mrs. John Sanford's two year old boy of Emory was buried here Sunday at the Turner cemetery and they have the sympathy of all in their bereavement

Mr. and Mrs. John Sanford have the sympathy of friends in the loss of their three-year-old child, which died Saturday night as was buried at Willow Springs cemetery Sunday.

Rains County Leader
August 15, 1909
The remains of Mr. T.P. Spicer of Mineola were brought to Emory last Friday evening and kept at the home of G.W. Alexander until next morning, when they were carried to Willow Springs and interred. He was until a few years ago a citizen of this county and was well known to a number of our old settlers. Quite a number from Mineola and Alba attended the funeral.

Willow Springs Cem, row 9
Rains County Leader
October 29, 1998
Joe C. Jeffrey
1923-1998
Funeral services for Joe C. Jeffrey, age 70, of Emory were held at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, October 15, 1998, at Wilson-Orwosky Funeral Chapel with Rev. Bryan Hutchinson officiating. Burial was in Willow Springs Cemetery. Friends served as pallbearers.
Jeffrey was born Feb. 11, 1928, to Robert and Cassie Tillman Jeffrey in Beeville. He and Maggie Bell were married July 28, 1956. He was a retired farmer and a Baptist.
He is survived by his wife, Maggie of EMory; sons, Ronald Stocton of Minnesota, and Clifton Boyd Jeffrey of Emory; a daughter Sandra Reeves of Mesquite; sisters, Lardale Meyers of Corpus Christi, and Eualie Williams of Beeville; six grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Wilson-Orwasky Funeral Home in Emory was in charge of arrangements.

Rains County Leader
July 5, 2005
James Mickey Thurman
1947-2005
Services for James Mickey Thurman of Emory were held at the Emory Baptist Church Friday, July 1, with Chaplain Gary Rushing and Dr. Joe Perkins officiating, Interment was at Willow Springs Cemetery with James Fulton, Leslie Parker, Tim Rigsby, Doug Preston, David Glass, Gerry Friday and Gary Shue serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were M.L. Todd, Harold Hill and Spike Huddleston. Mr. Thurman died Tuesday, June 28, 2005, at his residence in Emory. He was born on July 13, 1947, in Cooper to Robert Thurman and Finis Oleta James Thurman. He married Karen Rowe in Cooper on June 11, 1966. Mickey retired from the City of Richardson Fire Department. He was also a fire instructor for Collin County Community College. He was a member of the Methodist Church, the Red Knights Motorcycle Club, and a veteran of the United States Air Force. He is survived by his wife Karen Thurman of Emory; mother, Finis Oleta Thurman of Tyler; sons, Jarrod Thurman and wife Wendy of Emory, Michael Thurman and wife Vinnie Ho of Lewisville; grandchildren, Kyle Thurman and Katie Thurman; sister, Linda Moody of Tyler; nephew Ken Moody of Emory; and his beloved dog Cricket. He was preceded in death by his father. Wilson-Orwosky Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements

Back      Home