Zion Baptist Church Cemetery - Sumter County, Al

Brian, Mom, & I went on another one of my genealogy adventures Saturday. This was to find my 6th generation Great Grandparents, John George Rainer and Pheobe Julia Gilbert, final resting place. John George Rainer was born 1755 in Germany and was believed to be a Hessian Soldier before coming to the U.S.


So we set out for quick trip to Sumter County, Al. As we made our way down T K Culpepper Rd and crossed the gravel line that marked the Alabama/Mississippi boarder, I just had to get out of the car and take a picture. It was such a beautiful day! Also, I just love a shady road picture. Don't you?

Driving, Driving, Driving, We came across Zion Baptist Church which was organized in 1837 this was formally known as Harmony Baptist Church. If anyone has any information on either of these let me know.

Below: Mom and Brian checking the front door, but not open.

Below: Side view of Zion Baptist Church.

Across the street from the church sat the cemetery. So we make our way over. Gate was locked, so what do we do? Hug a kerosene poll and pray we don't fall in the creek. No pictures of these maneuvers were taken. And thats a good thing! HA! We made it all over safely. We came to a second gate that was locked, but this time with barbed wire. That is not going to stop us. On we go, but next time I must bring tools!

This was a beautiful old cemetery but was in desperate need of cutting and many headstones were gone. My 6th generation Great Grandparents headstones were no longer there.  The large monument above was Rev. John King Ryan's. He was the pastor of Zion Baptist Church for 26 yrs. After a little research, I have found that we are related by marriage. It seems like everyone in this cemetery is related one way or another.

Below: On the way out of the cemetery.

The deeper I go into researching family genealogy, the more appreciative I become of the past. I'm able to get a  clear sense of what life was like back all those years ago. I often wonder what my relatives would say if given the chance to speak with them...hopefully they would find pride in my work. It's only a small part of what I can do to make sure they are not forgotten.