Historic Bayou Rouge Cemetery Vandalized

Two separate incidents of vandalism at Bayou Rouge Cemetery have shocked and outraged the Evergreen community.

Police are investigating leads and a reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible. Evergreen Police Chief Charles Mayeux Jr. said the first incident occurred on the evening of March 31. The second happened two nights later. In each case, the caretaker of the cemetery discovered the damage the next day. Over 40 gravesites were damaged, some severely. Among those damaged were several that were over 100 years old and at least one dating back to late 1800s. “Grave markers were turned over, broken and even stolen,” Mayeux said. “Some of these markers have historical significance because they date back to the mid-to later 1800s.” The police chief said a local monument company has estimated the damage at $15,000. Police have turned up some leads and the Bayou Rouge Cemetery Board has offered a $500 reward in the case. “This is horrible and disrespectful by whoever did this,” Mayeux continued. “This cemetery has survived storms, floods, tornadoes and hurricanes, yet one individual or individuals vandalized and destroyed this cemetery in two nights.” According to findaagrave.com, there are 630 graves in Bayou Rouge Baptist Church Cemetery. The church was founded in 1843. The cemetery contains the graves of former U. S. Rep. Alfred Irion and several of the original pioneer families of the Evergreen area. Stebo Pearce, whose family has been in the Evergreen area for several generations, said he is “appalled at what was done.” He said he has worked in the cemetery for many years and helped plant over 800 azaleas at the cemetery. “A national TV program once said the `prettiest place in America today is the Bayou Rouge Baptist Church Cemetery in Evergreen, La.,’ and it is,” Pearce said. “We will catch them,” he added. “You can be sure of that. They will pay dearly.”

(article published on AvoyellesToday.com, April 13, 2014; images from kinsman Esther Mohon)

Obituary - Dr. Hugh Edward Vincent, Jr

Dr. Hugh Edward Vincent, Jr., age 90, of Anderson, passed away on Monday, February 17, 2014, at Rainey Hospice House. Born on July 5, 1923, in Laurens, SC, he was the son of the late Hugh Edward Vincent and the late Louise Lawton Vincent. For 66 years, he was the loving and devoted husband of Edith Parker Vincent of the residence.

Following graduation from High School, Dr. Vincent attended and graduated from the University of South Carolina, earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. He earned a Doctor of Medicine degree from the Medical College of Charleston. He was a highly respected physician in Anderson for 46 years.

Dr. Vincent served his country during WW II in the US Air Force where he participated in 23 combat missions and earned 8 combat stars. He was a faithful member of Central Presbyterian Church where he held the offices of Deacon and Elder. Dr. Vincent enjoyed studying family genealogy, and was an avid student of History, especially of the Civil War. He was an outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting. Reading was one of his favorite past times. He served for 15 years on the State Library Board and was President of Anderson Medical Society.

In addition to his wife, Dr. Vincent is survived by 2 sons, Hugh Edward Vincent, III (Leigh) of Iva, SC, and Thomas Lawton Vincent (Cheryl) of Bowling Green, KY; a daughter, Jane Vincent Randolph (Roger) of Cookeville, TN; 2 sisters, Lalla Vincent Rentz (John) of Asheboro, NC and Louise Hallman pf Batesburg, SC; 4 grandchildren, Lauren Randolph Graves, Brooke Randolph Mattingly, Brian Michael Vincent, and Thomas Lawton Vincent, Jr. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother, Thomas Lawton Vincent, and sisters Betty Harper and Helen Brawley.
A Graveside Service will be held on Thursday, February 20, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. at the New Silver Brook Cemetery, with Rev. Dr. David J. Bailey officiating. The family will receive friends at The McDougald Funeral Home on Thursday from 11:30 a. m. until 1:30 p.m.

The family requests that contributions may be made in memory of Dr. Vincent to the Central Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 1404 North Boulevard, Anderson, SC 29621.


(posted online at: www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com)

Obituary - Randolph Peebles

SUMTER, SC - John Randolph "Randy" Peeples, 93, of Sumter, widower of Ruth Elizabeth Pate Peeples to whom he was married for 60 years, died Monday, August 19, 2013 at the Tuomey Regional Medical Center. Born June 21, 1920 in Estill, SC, he was the son of the late Robert Rhodes Peeples and Margaret Anne Folk Peeples. Mr. Peeples was an Estill High School graduate and received a BS in Civil Engineering from the Georgia Technical College, where he was a member of Theta Chi fraternity and Omega Tau Eta engineering fraternity. He was a World War II veteran, obtaining the rank of Captain in the U. S. Army and serving in campaigns in both North Africa and Italy. He was a devoted husband and father. He was a long-time member of Trinity United Methodist Church, the Trinity Fellowship Class, the Sumter Lions club, the American Legion Post 15, and the Sumter Voiture 1254 Forty and Eight. He also served as a Scout Leader for the Boy Scouts of America. Mr. Peeples was president of the B&R Lumber and Supply Company, Inc. of Bishopville, SC. His early career included management and sales in building materials with Sumter Millwork and Palmetto Forest Products Company. He was also a former City of Sumter Building Official. He is survived by two sons and two daughters: David D. Peeples, Derbiana P. Bowers and husband Grover F. Bowers, III, Margaret "Marce" P. Warner and husband Robert E. Warner, Jr., Robert F. Peeples and wife Shannon Ward Peeples; grandchildren, Grover F. Bowers, IV; Hunter T. Bowers; Margaret E. Bowers; Jacob P. Warner; Lawton P. Warner; Hamilton C. Warner; Ryan W. Kilgo and wife Leigh T. Kilgo; Robert L. Kilgo, III; a great-grandchild, Henry M. Kilgo. He is also survived by his brother, the Reverend Doctor Robert E. H. Peeples and his wife Cora McKenzie Peeples. He was preceded in death by a son, John R. Peeples, Jr. and a sister, Ruth Peeples McNair. Graveside Services will be held at 11 A.M. Thursday at Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery, Sumter, SC with the Reverend Doctor Reginald Thackston officiating. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Wednesday at the Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home and other times at the family home. Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 226 W. Liberty Street, Sumter, SC 29150. On-line condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals.com Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad Street, Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements (803) 775-9386. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston Published in Charleston Post & Courier on August 21, 2013

Obituary - Joy Overbey Pearce

Funeral services for Joy Overbey Pearce will be Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at Bayou Rouge Baptist Church in Evergreen, with Rev. David Trimbur officiating. Burial will be in the Bayou Rouge Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Melancon Funeral Home, Bunkie.

Visitation will be Tuesday at Melancon Funeral Home from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. and Wednesday at Bayou Rouge Baptist Church from 10:00 - 10:45 a.m.

Mrs. Pearce, age 82, passed away on Saturday, July 27, 2013 at Bayou Vista Community Care Center. She was a beloved elementary school teacher, having taught children throughout Avoyelles Parish in parochial and public schools as well as instructing home bound children in the students' home settings. Mrs. Pearce was also an accomplished organist and served for many years at Bayou Rouge Baptist Church and William David Haas Memorial United Methodist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Oehlan Zeral and Inez Clark Overbey; brothers, Frank C. Overbey and Richard L. Overbey, brother-in-law, V. H. "Speedy" Harris, grandson Robert Jeremy Taylor, and great grandson William D. Pias.

She is survived by her husband of sixty-four years, W. S. "Stebo" Pearce of Bunkie; her daughter, Lydia P. Soroosh and husband, Bob, of Ann Arbor, Michigan; her sons, Sam Pearce and wife, Tookie, of Evergreen, Steve Pearce and wife, Pat, of Bunkie, David Pearce and wife, Nicole, of Washington; one brother, Clark "Corky" Overbey and wife, Marilyn, of Aberdeen, South Dakota; three sisters, Juanita O. Faciane and husband, Nick, of Bunkie, Beryl O. Harris of Minden, Texas, and Eloise O. Mitchell and husband, Jim, of Pilot Mountain, North Carolina; sister-in-law Pat Overbey of Bunkie, sister-in-law Martha B. Overbey of Dry Prong, fifteen grandchildren, and twelve great grandchildren.

Pallbearers honored to serve will be Sam Pearce IV, Adam Pearce, Will Pearce III, Fletcher Pearce, Tipton Pearce, Tyler Soileau , Andre' Soileau, Scott Plauche, William "Gil" Pias, and Andy Beebe.

The family requests that memorials be sent to Bayou Rouge Cemetery, P. O. Box 287, Evergreen, LA

Published in The Town Talk on July 30, 2013

Mark Your Calendar for the Next Reunion - June 5-7, 2015

historic 1940s photo found at:
http://www.historicbentley.com/index.htm

Group Photo - 2013 Reunion

2013 Reunion Report

Members of the Pierre Robert Family Association gathered in Robertville, SC in early June for its eighth biennial reunion. We were pleased to join the annual gathering of the Lawton and Allied Families Association (LAFA) since Pasteur Pierre Robert (1655-1715) is an ancestor both groups share.

 

On Friday evening, June 7, we met at Gloria Langford Tuten’s ancestral home in Robertville for a delicious supper catered by Mr. and Mrs. Pinckney, local residents who prepared fabulous  meals for us all weekend long. After the meal, we relocated a few yards across SC Hwy 462 to the Robertville Baptist Church where Gloria’s husband Redden is pastor and Gloria is pianist. Gloria and her sister, Aileene, treated the group to beautiful piano and organ music and shared educational and inspiring stories.

On Saturday, June 8, we began the day with breakfast in the fellowship hall of the church. We then moved into the sanctuary for the first meeting of the day. The LAFA conducted a bit of business:  inviting us to introduce ourselves to one another, thanking all the people who helped plan the reunion, and electing a slate of officers for the next year.  The group established a new position and elected Lawton O’Cain to fill the position. She will be in charge of the LAFA reunion program for the coming year. This was a commonsense and uncontested move since she has been instrumental in planning the reunions every year. After the business session, LAFA President (and President-Elect) Neale Hightower introduced me. I read a paper on the life of Pasteur Pierre Robert.  The bulk of the paper had been written by Tom Lawton in 1982 on the occasion of the 300^th anniversary of the ordination of Robert. Neale Hightower, using Carolyn Lawton Harrell’s book Kith and Kin and other sources, added some interesting historical background. I should have known better than to agree to read such an important work – especially when there were so many French names contained therein!  Hopefully our ancestors and the first families of South Carolina have forgiven me for butchering their names! And hopefully those present were so engrossed in Susan Daugherty’s accompanying slideshow from the 1996 family roots trip based in Charleston and the 1997 trip to Switzerland, that they hardly noticed when I stumbled.

 

After lunch, the group went to the old Robert family cemetery just a few miles down the road. Lawton O’Cain has overseen the maintenance of the cemetery and she has paid for trees to be removed from the grounds. If you would like to make a donation toward this effort, you may send a check directly to Lawton O'Cain/Lawton Family Association, 118 Third Street, Estill SC 29918.  Please write in the note section of the check that it is for Robert Cemetery Maintenance.

After the cemetery, the Pierre Robert Family Association gathered in the fellowship hall of the church for our program and business meeting.  Thanks to Secretary Emily Campbell the minutes of that meeting are included with this newsletter!  And, thanks to the good work of the group, the details of the next reunion are set.  It will be at the Bentley Hotel in Alexandria, LA on June 5-7, 2015 with Dr. Dana Robert, kinsperson and church history professor at Boston University, as the featured speaker! Mark your calendars and start gathering the family now!

 

The final item on the weekend schedule was a concluding dinner back on the front porch of Gloria’s family home. We left the meal to go our separate ways, basking in the fellowship that forever binds us together.

 

For those of you unable to join us, we spoke your names. We missed you and we anticipate with gladness our next reunion.