Baker Cemetery, Kyles Ford, TN

Although the address for the cemetery is traditionally given as “Kyles Ford”, the official location is Eidson, in Hancock County, Tennessee.  It resides on a hill near the Clinch River on Route 33-Kyles Ford Road, between Willis Chapel Road and Fleenor Circle.

Alfred Baker, 1877-1964

The Baker Cemetery takes its name from the man who donated his land for its use, Alfred Baker (pictured left).  Alfred donated the land for the old section of the cemetery.  It already contained graves going back to the late 1700s, including Bakers, Wallens, Livesays, Roberts, Holts, Johnsons, Moores, Singletons, Snodgrass and other families.

Alfred’s daughter, Sophie (Baker) Livesay, later donated more land for the cemetery.   Her family also oversaw its care and upkeep for many years.

Below, I have images of family members buried in the Baker Cemetery.  Perhaps you will be able to find some of your own ancestors or relatives listed here.  You can find a listing of graves in this cemetery at https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/8851/memorial-search?page=4#sr-52422606

My dear sister, Gwen Roberts, 1955-2006. She was my mentor and best friend.

My father, Foyster W. Roberts, 1928-2010. I’ve never known a better Christian or father.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My uncle, David Baker, 1949-2004
My uncle, David Baker, 1949-2004
My uncle, James Baker, 1930-1985. He taught singing schools and helped organize county and state singing conventions throughout the South.
My uncle, James Baker, 1930-1985. He taught singing schools and helped organize county and state singing conventions throughout the South.

 

My uncle, Paul Baker, 1929-2001
My uncle, Paul Baker, 1929-2001
My grandparents, Claude Baker, 1907-1992, & Nettie (Burke) Baker, 1910-1986
My uncle, Willard Roberts, 1922-2004
My aunt, Thelma Roberts, 1924-1994
My uncle, Claude Roberts, 1931-1987. He and my dad were close when they were young and Claude served as dad’s best man at his wedding.
My aunt, Bauer (Roberts) Johnson, 1921-1979
My 2nd cousin & daughter of Sophie (Baker) Livesay, Majorie Singleton, 1929-2007
Majorie’s husband, A Y Singleton, 1918-1977
My great aunt & donor of the new section of the cemetery, Sophie (Baker) Livesay, 1910-1999
Husband of Sophie, Joe Livesay, 1893-1967
My great grandpa, Alfred Baker, 1877-1964. He donated the land for the original cemetery, hence its name. Ironically, his grave is located smack-dab in the middle of the cemetery, right on the border of the old and new sections.
My great, great, great grandpa, Andrew C. “Big Andy” Baker, 1814-1861. His tombstone appears to be homemade and is very weathered.
My great, great, great grandma, Elizabeth “Betty” (Roberts) Baker, 1818-1913.

 

My great,great grandfather, Claiborne W. Baker, 28 Feb 1833-20 Jun 1908
My great,great grandfather, Claiborne W. Baker, 28 Feb 1833-20 Jun 1908
My uncle, Tom Roberts, 1918-1978. Due to a birth injury, he had the mind of a child. He lived with my uncle Lawrence’s family till his death in 1978. He loved to play records. When we would visit Lawrence’s family, Tom would insist that my brother Greggy be carried back to his room and he would play Southern Gospel music for him. He knew that Greggy loved it.
My grandmother, Esta Mae (Wallen) Roberts, 1896-1955. She asked to be buried here next to her father since the space next to her husband in the Austin J. Bledsoe cemetery had already been taken by his oldest sister and her husband.
My great grandpa, Davey Wallen, 1857-1942. He and great grandma are buried on opposite sides of the cemetery. This was due to him requesting, “Whatever you do, don’t bury me in water.” When they dug the grave next to hers, it filled in with water the next day. So, they put great grandpa on the opposite side of the cemetery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My uncle, Lawrence Roberts. He was the second oldest brother and became a surrogate father to the family when grandpa died in 1940. He even cared for grandma and uncle Tom till they died. My dad had much love and respect for Lawrence.
My uncle, Lawrence Roberts. He was the second oldest brother and became a surrogate father to the family when grandpa died in 1940. He even cared for grandma and uncle Tom till they died. My dad had much love and respect for Lawrence.

 

 

 

 

 

My great, great grandma, Jane (Banks) Wallen, 1818-1881.
My great, great grandma, Jane (Banks) Wallen, 1818-1881.
William J. "Big Sandy" Wallen, 1816-1886. He has a veteran's headstone, due to serving in "Company L, 8th Regiment of the United States Army of Tennessee". His son Joe B. Wallen, who is buried here also, was conscripted by the Confederate Army, captured at Vicksburg, paroled, then joined the Union Army with Big Sandy.
William J. “Big Sandy” Wallen, 1816-1886. He has a veteran’s headstone, due to serving in “Company L, 8th Regiment of the United States Army of Tennessee”. His son Joe B. Wallen, who is buried here also, was conscripted by the Confederate Army, captured at Vicksburg, paroled, then joined the Union Army with Big Sandy.
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