On the last day of the LDS mission to West Virginia, David and Linda Meacham Lindsey visited the graves of many relatives. It was memorial day and when the couple set out on the adventure the sky was dark and a storm was looming. David insisted they carry on since they were already part way there when the sky became so dark. Linda was thrilled with the experience and so glad they continued. It was quite by accident or providence that they were able to find the first graveyard which is unmarked and through some trees and through a lovely farm of the now Helmick family. They were only the 2nd people to visit the site in all the years that the Helmicks owned the amazingly beautiful farm with rolling hills and 2 ponds that had once belonged to the Howard family. They guided us through their corral and up the hay field which had a mowed path up to the graveyard. The graveyard had only about 8 graves. Samuel Howard and Charlotte Hicks, Emma Elizabeth Howard Doak's grandparents are buried there.
The four graveyards we found were either on highway 18 between Middleborne and West Union or within about 3 miles of the highway so it was very convenient.
The second graveyard was in the town of Alma at the Baptist church cemetery.
William Gregg and Elizabeth Thomas Gregg are buried here in a lovely church graveyard. I couldn't find Emma Doak's parents buried here but we were short of time and not sure where they are buried. They died of smallpox when Emma was just 4 years old. Her grandparents William and Elizabeth Gregg raised them ( the children who didn't die of smallpox).
The next graveyard we visited was the Arnold's creek cemetery where 3 generations of our Doak ancestors are buried. We found Alexander's parents Hamilton and Martha Ann Freeman Doak and his grandparents Alexander and Eliza Ireland's graves here. Both graves are broken off and laying on the ground. If anyone would like to do something for their graves to replace the stone, etc. it would be appreciated by so many including the wonderful lady Frances Hurst who faithfully keeps the graveyard moved without
remuneration. Our Ancestors were faithful members of the Church of Christ in Deep Valley. This graveyard also necessitated driving across Arnold's Creek and through a farmyard. Tme was running out and we didn't stop at the graveyard just a bit north of West Union. Linda had been there before and the Freeman cemetery lies to the back of the graveyard. Martha Ann Freeman's family lies there. It is called the Coleman cemetery and is just along the highway. It is sobering to know of the importance of each of our ancestors because without anyone of them we wouldn't be born in this good family.
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