Gargis Cemetery

This cemetery, located in Colbert County, Alabama, was surveyed on Friday, April 15, 2005, by 85-year-old David J. Honey, Sr., whose grandparents are buried here. David Honey was assisted by his daughter, Melanie Honey Montgomery, and a friend, RaNae Smith Vaughn. Mr. Honey commented that RaNae “was real good at finding broken down tombstones but better at finding cow piles.” This was in reference to the fact that RaNae stepped in quite a few of them. No one else was plagued with that problem.

Many Gargis family members are buried in this abandoned cemetery; therefore, it is assumed that the cemetery is the Gargis Cemetery. This cemetery is located in Colbert County, Alabama, near the 1880s Poplar Creek way station that was owned and operated by Caleb Campbell. Located approximately 1 mile off the LaGrange Mountain Road, the cemetery is on private property owned by Brian Vandiver.

The Vandiver family estimates that there are approximately 37 gravesites at the cemetery. Although it is evident that more people were buried here, only 17 names were found on the tombstones. The cemetery is in disarray. A large tree has flattened some tombstones, and large stones are piled high over other gravesites. Many sites probably never had inscribed markers on the graves.

Driving directions: From Muscle Shoals, Alabama, drive east on U.S. Highway 72, making a right turn onto Three Mile Lane. From Three Mile Lane in Colbert County, Alabama, turn left onto Spring Valley Road. At the 4-way stop at the intersection of Spring Valley Road and LaGrange Mountain Road, take a right onto LaGrange Mountain Road. The cemetery is approximately 6.6 miles from this 4-way stop. After about 5 miles, there will be a Hopewell Church of Christ on the right side of the road. The private drive to the cemetery is about 1.2 miles from the church. Look for a driveway (it is not a road). You will turn left at the Vandiver mailbox about 1.2 miles from the church. The cemetery is approximately 1 mile from the road. Permission must be obtained from the owners of this property prior to the visit. Two gates and a stream will have to be crossed, and it is preferable to use a 4-wheel drive vehicle.

Luisa Gargis
Luisa
The Wife of Henry Gargis
Died March 8, 1887
Aged 36 years 9 months 26 days
Note: Mason insignia on tombstone

Christiana Gargis
Christiana
The daughter of H and L Gargis
Died March 2, 1887
Aged 5 years 6 months 20 days

Miranda Jones
Miranda
Wife of W. M. Jones
Born Dec. 6, 1844
Died May 22, 1877
“Not lost blest thought but gone before
Where we shall meet to mourn no more”

Nancy Gargis
Nancy Gargis
Born 19 of Oct 1815
Died Aug 5, 1901

Henry Gargis
At the head of the sleaping dust of Henry Gargis
The spirit taken flite the 25th of Aprile 1886
Aged 69 years and 10 monthes and 16 dayes

William H. Gargus and John Earl Gargus (joint tombstone)
William H. Gargus John Earl Gargus
Born Sep 22 1902 Born Aug 16 1901
Died Nov 28 1902 Died Sept 18 1901
“Budded on Earth to Bloom in Heaven”