Author: Family Post

King Cemetery #27 Fort Benning Georgia

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King Cemetery #27
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peaceful surroundings
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Henry King and Elizabeth Lee
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no legible inscription

 

 

King Cemetery #27 is located on Fort Benning, near Columbus, Georgia at 32°21’53.5″N 84°46’41.8″W. It is situated in their firing range, but you can contact the military installation and they will escort you to the cemetery. The drive to it will take you past Kings Pond and Upper Kings Pond, where Henry King had a water powered mill, through tall soaring pine trees. There are no signs of the many buildings and houses that used to be in the area.

Henry King died before the coming of Fort Benning, but his children sold their land to the government and the area that was the King Plantation is now used for military training exercises. This is a huge open wooded area, peaceful and quiet and seemingly untouched but for dirt roads as far as the eye can see.

The cemetery itself is maintained by the military, and sits atop a hill affording a magnificent view of the peaceful surroundings. There are four visible gravesites here; Henry King and Elizabeth King (nee Elizabeth Lee) have legible granite ledger stones, although they are worn and cracked. There is one unmarked grave next to them, and then a marble ledger stone with no legible inscription. This is very likely the gravesite of Jesse Stephen King, their youngest son who died in the Civil War.

Family stories tell that after Jesse’s death (from wounds at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain) his body was returned to the family. His mother dressed him in his uniform and buried him beneath an apple tree. Her heart was so broken by the death of her youngest child that she died a few years later, many years before her husband.

But come, we are too gay. What is it that glistens so white among the shrubbery of yonder high hill, past the woods, through the hollow, upon that lofty hill?

There they sleep, the young and the old, in neat rows, a stone at the foot and one at the head, waiting till Judgment Day.

Why is it so quiet there? Why do the winds sigh so mournfully? Why is it chilly there even in the sunlight?

There they sleep, like two giants at rest, with little ones around them—Henry King and his wife, Elizabeth Lee.

-Mrs. Mary Williamson Miller, from History of Chattahoochee County, Georgia by N. K. Rogers

 

Elizabeth King Headstone

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ledger stone of Elizabeth King
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lower section of inscription
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upper section of inscription

The ledger stone of Elizabeth “Betsy” King (nee Elizabeth Lee) is located in King Cemetery #27 in Fort Benning, Georgia. The inscription reads:

In memory of

Elizabeth King

daughter of

John & Mary Lee

born

July 8th 1795

died

Oct 29th 1866

Aged 71 years 3 months and 21 days

Here sleeps one who we all loved;

Yet when death came to summon her home

She had to impart the last kiss

And her soul took its flight on high

To meet her Saviour and friends.

Wilbur Bruce Thompson Obituary

From the Albany Herald, May 1, 2012.

ALBANY — Wilbur Bruce Thompson, of Albany, Georgia, 88, died April 28, 2012. A native of Perry, Florida, Bruce was the son of the late Wesley Frank Thompson and Ethleen Jones Thompson and was married to the late Helen King Thompson for 50 years. They moved to Albany in 1956 and were members of the First United Methodist Church of Albany.

Mr. Thompson was a graduate of the University of South Carolina and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.  He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict, flying 100 combat missions as a fighter pilot where he earned several medals, including the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Mr. Thompson is survived by his children and their families: Michael Bruce Thompson and wife, Gail of Salisbury, North Carolina, and their children, Al Beckum (Misty), Karrie Page (Steve) and Hannah; Kimberly Thompson Seay and husband, Bob of Roswell, Georgia, and their children, Robert, Helen Miller (Nick) and David (Terri); Susan King Thompson and husband, Bill Slugg of Albany and their children, Casey Powell and Andrew Slugg; Hal Geron Thompson “Ron” of Albany and his children, Jessica and Sarah;  Bruce is also survived by his brother, Joseph Nelson Thompson, Pine Lake, Georgia; sister, Susan Thompson Roberts of Titusville, Florida; several nieces, nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews.

A graveside inurnment will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, May 5, 2012 at Crown Hill Cemetery, Albany, Georgia. The Rev. John W. Thompson officiating. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to The Lord’s Pantry in Albany.

Kimbrell-Stern Funeral Directors

Albany 229/883-4152

Virginia King Robertson Obituary

From the Albany Herald, November 18, 2011.

ALBANY — Mrs. Virginia King Robertson, 92, of Albany, GA died November 17, 2011 at her residence.

Funeral services will be Monday 11 AM at First United Methodist Church. Dr. Don Adams and Rev. Carrie Myers officiating. Interment will follow in Crown Hill Cemetery.

A native of Cusseta, GA Mrs. Robertson has lived in Albany since 1938 where she was a member of First United Methodist Church and the Hawk Sunday School class. Mrs. Robertson was married to the late Paul B. (Mr. Rob) Robertson for 65 years, who was the Dougherty County School Superintendent from 1972-1986.

Survivors include her daughters, Amy Beaver, Jill Hiers, Beth O’Brien and her husband John, and Robin McLeod and her husband Greg all of Albany, her son, Paul B. Robertson, Jr. and his wife Lisa of Albany, six grandchildren, Robby Beaver and his wife Amanda, Bo Beaver and his wife Daisy, Corrie Rooks and her husband Brian, Lauren Smith and her husband David, Betsy Parrish and her husband Alan and Cody O’Brien, ten great-grandchildren, brother, Hal F. King of Albany and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, Mrs. Robertson was preceded in death by two grandchildren, Misty McLeod and Jay Hiers, and a sister, Helen Thompson.

The family will receive friends Sunday from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Kimbrell-Stern Funeral Directors. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 307 Flint Ave. Albany, GA 31701.

You may sign the online guest book and share your own special thoughts with the family of Mrs. Robertson by visiting Kimbrell-Stern’s website at www.kimbrellstern.com.

Kimbrell-Stern Funeral Directors

Albany 229/883-4152

Jeane Fisher King Obituary

From the Albany Herald, April 29, 2010.

Passed Away: 2010-04-27

Funeral Home: Kimbrell-Stern Funeral  Directors

Jeane F. King ALBANY

Jeane Fisher King of Leesburg, Georgia  returned to her Maker Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at Palmyra Medical Center. A  memorial service in celebration of her life will be held Friday, April 30, at 12  noon at Sherwood Baptist Church.

Mrs. King was born on June 21,  1923 in Senatobia, Mississippi. She was a graduate of Bowling Green Business  University in Bowling Green, Kentucky. She was a retired secretary and  bookkeeper at Albany Vocational Technical School. Jeane was a charter member of  Sherwood Baptist Church and active in many of its ministries, especially their  prayer ministry.

Survivors include her husband, Hal Foster King, sister Camille Aston,  sister-in-law Virginia Robertson, and brother-in-law Bruce Thompson. Jeane’s  children are Kathy King  James (Colonel Robert L.), Kaye King Walden (Larry), and  Karen King Kirkland  (Ben). Grandchildren include Lauren Walden Watson (Woody), Trav Walden (Marty),  Stephanie James (Jeff Walters), Kayla Kirkland, Jeana Kirkland Evans (Peter),  Airman First Class Cameron James, and three great-grandchildren. She also leaves  many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to visit at 11 o’clock  preceding the service. The family would like to extend special thanks to the  staff of Lee County Health Care.

Paul Berry Robertson Obituary

From the Albany Herald, June 22, 2004.

Paul B. Robertson

A native of Brooklet, GA, and a graduate of Brooklet High School, Mr. Robertson received his BS degree from Georgia State University and his MA degree from Peabody University. He served four years in the United States Air Force during World War II and was honorably discharged as a 1st Lieutenant.

Mr. Robertson moved to Albany in 1938 where he began coaching and teaching in the Albany School System. He served as principal of Albany Jr. High School from 1947 – 1970, assistant superintendent from 1971 – 1972 and superintendent from 1972 – 1986. Mr. Robertson was chosen as Outstanding Superintendent in Georgia from 1978 – 1979 and received Distinguished Service award in 1986 by the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church and the Hudson Malone Sunday School Class. Mr. Robertson also served as Chairman of the Administrative Board at First United Methodist and was also a Youth Director. He was a member and former president of the Albany Lions Club, former chairman of the Dougherty County Board of Health and a member and former president of the Albany Men’s Garden Club. He also, served as member and president of the Albany Sports Hall of Fame, and was an avid tennis player and hunter.

Hal Foster King Obituary

From the Albany Herald, February 28, 2013.

ALBANY — Hal Foster King of Leesburg, GA went to his Maker on February 28, 2013 at Willson Hospice House in Albany, Georgia.

Hal was born in 1922 in Cusseta, Georgia, and attended Georgia Tech and later Auburn University to become a Mechanical Engineer. In 1942, in World War II, he volunteered for the Army Air Corps and flew missions in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater in the 75th Fighter Squadron, as a Flying Tiger and in an aerial acrobatic demonstration team.

Hal returned and moved his family to Albany in 1952, where he spent many years serving Dougherty County in education–as shop teacher at Albany High School, and McIntosh Junior High, and principal of Magnolia Elementary and McIntosh Junior High.

Hal and his wife Jeane were founding members of Sherwood Baptist Church, served faithfully for over 60 years there, and he was the last surviving male member of that group and a Life Deacon at Sherwood.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jeane Fisher King, and two sisters, Virginia King Robertson and Helen King Thompson.

He is survived by his three doting daughters, Kathy King James (Bob), Kaye King Walden (Larry), and Karen King Kirkland (Ben), six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, many loving nieces and nephews, and his close sister-in-law, Camille Aston, and her daughter Cynthia Chick.

Hal leaves them a legacy of wonderful memories of going fishing, family reunions, summer trips to the beach, weekends on “the farm,” wood projects in his shop, home-grown vegetables, and strolls among his camellias. He made many lives richer for his presence and will be missed for a long time.

His wishes were to be cremated, and a memorial service will be held Saturday, March 2, 2013. The family will receive friends at one o’clock at Sherwood Baptist Church, followed by a memorial service at two o’clock.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the Christian youth project, Fish Camp, P.O. Box 1787 Albany, GA 31702.

Kimbrell-Stern Funeral Directors

Albany 229/883-4152

Paul Berry Robertson, Jr. Obituary

From the Albany Herald, September 23, 2013.

Paul Berry Robertson, Jr.

ALBANY – Mr. Paul “Red Rob” Berry Robertson, Jr. 58 of Albany died September 21, 2013 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital.

Funeral services will be Tuesday 11 AM at First United Methodist Church. Dr. Don Adams and Rev. Nancy Scarbrough officiating. Interment will follow in Crown Hill Cemetery.

A native of W. Palm Beach, FL, Mr. Robertson has lived most of his life in Albany where he was a member of First United Methodist Church and a longtime employee at Proctor and Gamble Company. Mr. Robertson was a 1973 graduate of Albany High School, where he played football. He loved the Georgia Bulldogs and the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. Mr. Robertson will always be remembered for the love he gave to his family, friends and most of all his grandchildren.

Mr. Robertson was preceded death by his parents, Paul and Virginia Robertson, niece, Misty McLeod and a nephew, Jay Hiers.

Survivors include his wife, Lisa Johnston Robertson of Albany, daughter, Lauren R. Smith and her husband David of Lee Co., GA, step-children, Morgan and Tyler Seegmueller, grandchildren, Blaine Givens, Cameron Smith and Ava Smith, sisters, Amy Beaver of Albany, Jill Hiers of Phenix City, AL, Beth O’Brien and her husband John of Albany and Robin McLeod and her husband Greg of Albany, numerous nieces and nephews and his beloved dog “Mollie”.

The family will receive friends Monday from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM at Kimbrell-Stern and will be at the residences of Mr. and Mrs. Proctor Johnston 2512 Westgate Dr. #34(Bradford Court) Albany, GA 31707 and Mr. and Mrs. David Smith 394 Winifred Rd. Leesburg, GA 31763.

Those desiring, please make memorials to the Albany Humane Society 1705 Oakridge Dr. Albany, GA 31707 or favorite charity.

You may sign the online guest book and share your own special thoughts with the family of Mr. Robertson by visiting Kimbrell-Stern’s website at www.kimbrellstern.com.

Kimbrell-Stern, Inc.

Albany, GA 229-883-4152

Geronimo Way King (1886-1964)

Geronimo Way King was born in Cusseta, Chattahoochee County, Georgia on the 18th of October, 1886 to Garry Wood King and Catherine Alice King. His unusual first name was suggested by his uncle on his mother’s side, Henry Clay “Penny” King. Geronimo Way was the 11th of Garry Wood and Catherine Alice’s children, so they may have been running out of name ideas. When Uncle Penny visited the new born child, the baby’s cries sounded like Indian war cries to Uncle Penny and he said “Sounds like we have another Geronimo!” The name stuck, though Geronimo Way frequently referred to himself as “G. W. King, Jr.”

He graduated from high school in Cusseta and continued on to the University of Georgia, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1908. He would carry this love of education throughout his life, and pass it on to his children.

On the 1st of October, 1918, he married Martha “Mattie” Virginia Foster, the daughter of Wilbur Fisk Foster and Ann Hasseltine Sapp. They would have three children: Virginia Way King (1920), Hal Foster King (1922), and Helen Hasseltine King (1925).

Geronimo was elected to the post of Chattahoochee County Superintendent of Schools in 1923, and would hold this position until 1936. He served in the State House of Representatives from 1949-1951, and served in the State Senate from 1951-1952. Upon his return to Cusseta, he served for eleven more years as County Superintendent of Schools, from 1953-1964. He was well known as an upright, honest man in the community, always ready with a helping hand for those in need.

Geronimo Way King, or “Gonnie” as he was affectionately known by his grandchildren, died on September 23, 1964. His wife Mattie survived him by almost twenty years, and both are buried in the King section of the Mount Olive Cemetery in Cusseta, Georgia. The epitaph on his ledger stone reads:

He was a King, a right, true King who dared do ought save wrong.

Parents: Garry Wood King, Catherine Alice King

Spouse: Martha Virginia Foster

Children: Virginia Way King, Hal Foster King, Helen Hasseltine King

Thanks to my cousin Arleen King Beasley for the story behind Geronimo Way King’s unusual first name.