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Farming For A Better Future, page 278
On a historical topographic map from 1936, the school was shown next to a symbol for New Berea Missionary Baptist Church. By 1951, both the school and church were labeled. Although labeled “New Berea” on historic maps, the current sign at the church reads “New Beria M.B. Church.” The church is associated with a small African American cemetery containing only about 20 graves. The earliest interment is World War II veteran Maxie Hargrove (1896-1971), the son of Green Hargrove. Marvin Hargrove (1905-1992) is another Hargrove son and WWII veteran buried here. School trustee, Luther Beddingfield (born 1906) and his wife, Nellie (born 1906), are also laid to rest in New Beria MB Church Cemetery.
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Bridgeforth and Lucas Cemeteries
The Bridgeforth Cemetery is located southwest of Beulahland on a small island at the south end of Lucas Ferry Road and cannot be reached except by small boat. When it was surveyed for potential impact by the construction of Wheeler Dam, TVA cataloged the site as Cemetery No. 42. According to the TVA Cemetery Removal Record, there were 18 burials here, 16 being Lucas family members. Following the wishes of the nearest kin, no burials were removed before construction of the dam. The TVA records lack information on those buried in this cemetery except for their names. Siblings Adam Lucas, Jr., Cherry Malone, and Richard Lucas are listed as the nearest relatives for the majority of those buried here.
The Lucas Cemetery is located near Beulah Bay Road southwest of Beulahland. Most of the time, this cemetery is not accessible due to the water level of the Tennessee River. Also known as Lucas Cemetery #2 to distinguish it from the Lucas Cemetery containing white members of the Lucas family, this cemetery was surveyed by the TVA as well and designated Cemetery No. 39. Although included among the burial grounds that might need removal, all known graves remained in accordance with the wishes of the families. The
(Above) “Old Lucas Colored Cemetery,” Possibly Depicting the Bridgeforth Cemetery (Tennessee Valley Cemetery Relocation Flies, 1933-1990, National Archives and Records Administration via Ancestry.com)
Lu cets Cemetery
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Bridgeforth Cemetery
(Above) List of Burials at Bridgeforth Cemetery (Tennessee Valley Cemetery Relocation Flies, 1933-1990, National Archives and Records Administration via Ancestry. com) (Left) 1936 USGS/TVA Topographic Map of Bridgeforth and Lucas Cemeteries, Stewart Cross Roads, Alabama Quadrangle
Lucas Cemetery contains 22 graves of the members of the Love, Lee, Townsend, Blair, Lucas, Harris, Jackson, Williams, and Pickett families.
Between the two cemeteries are several members of a single family, that of Ed Lucas and Patsy Lucas Jackson (d. 1913). Their children, Dennis, Wyde, Nathan, Elri, Fanny, and Joyce all rest in Bridgeforth Cemetery. Ed and Patsy's sons Dave and Adam were buried in Lucas Cemetery. Four of the children of Adam Lucas (1846-1920) were laid to rest in Bridgeforth cemetery: Peggy Lucas Blair, Richard Lucas, Meely Lucas, and Delford Lucas. Other Lucas family members in these cemeteries may be directly related to Ed and Patsy Lucas as well.
Another burial ground, the McDonald Cemetery, reportedly lies adjacent to the Bridgeforth Cemetery. This graveyard may contain about 25 burials, but only those of Odie Betts, Joe Malone, and the infant son of Sadie Wynn are marked. These names are listed in the TVA index of burials, but no additional information is known. - (4806)