Ole Southern Confederate Decoration Day event to be held

Published 12:00 pm Thursday, May 1, 2014

This Saturday, May 3, 2014 is set aside to remember the sacrifices made by our ancestors to the Cause for Southern Independence.  The event will be held at the 1840s historic Nichols Cemetery at Lake Purdy. 

Sons of the Confederacy Veterans (SCV) honor guard from the St. Clair Camp, headed up by Compatriot  Joe Johnson,  will present a Cannon Salute at the grave of Confederate Soldier Green Berry Franklin to honor all southern patriots  who served with honor in the Cause for Southern Independence.  This would be a great opportunity to bring the children to experience this living history of their heritage in action.        

According to oral history, a  Mr. Bud Nichols donated the land for a community burial ground some time in the 1840’s; however, no Nichols are buried there as far as is known. Buried on this site are the families of:   Franklin, Glass, Igo, McDaniel, DeShazo, Ingram, Steeley, Redding, and Thomas and others that we don’t have information on.  .  There are reports that two “Cahaba River Slaves” of the Franklin family, Liza and Jake, are buried there as well.    

In addition to the memorial service, an art show and sale of handcraft items will be for sale. A Tall Tell contest is planned.  

The art show is appropriately called,   “The Tomb Stone Art Show.” Our special guest will be internationally known artist Jon Houglum, and his wife, Carolyn, from Western NC.   Jon’s style is that of the “Ole Masters” and his work is displayed in many fine homes.  He will be displaying a sample of his work.  Should anyone wish to view Jon’s work, he has a web site, www.houglumfineart.com. 

Jim Steeley, a student of Jon, and a descendant of Green Berry Franklin, will be displaying some of his art also.  Jim has studied under Jon for several years and specializes in painting “Stories”.  Jim has paintings displayed in the Okefenokee Railroad Museum in the City of Folkston, Georgia.   He will be displaying paintings of family stories that were told to him by his mother’s side of the family –the Ingram clan.    

All family members, friends, and all of those who want to remember our Confederate Ancestors are invited to join us.  We will share a meal between 11:30 and 12:30 and the SCV event will be at 1PM.  Come and enjoy the art show, and be prepared to participate in the Tall Tale contest.  Rev. Ben Talmadge, a descendent of Confederate Green Berry Franklin, will present a short talk on the Faith of Robert E. Lee.   Bring your favorite covered dish, drink, folding chair, etc, and help us celebrate our Confederate Ancestors. 

Directions to the event are as follows:  If coming from Interstate 459, turn off at Grants Mill Rd.  Follow Grants Mill Rd to Lake Purdy.  The entrance to the Cemetery is located at the intersection of Grants Mill Road and Boshell Lane. Turn onto Boshell Lane (look for “Decoration Day” sign.)   (Approximately 100 yards from the Lake Purdy Bridge toward Interstate 459)  Go about a mile and you are there.  

For more Information contact Jim Steeley at 828 -524 5704, cell 828 342 2647, jsteeley@dnet.net or Judy Lawrence at 205-956-2037; Cell 205-541 0523.