Florence Eddie (Scott) Smith 1911-1984

Florence Eddie Smith of Cape Fair, Missouri, formerly of Richland, was born October 7, 1911 to Charles and Matilda Scott of Richland, and departed this life September 22, 1984 in Springfield, Missouri.

She was united in marriage to Cecil Miller in 1929 and to this union was born two sons. Cecil preceded her in death in 1946. She later married Arthur Fritts who passed away in 1971. She then married Jack Smith, who survives.

Mrs. Smith was a member of the Baptist Church. She worked for International and Brown Shoe Factories, retiring in 1971, after 22 years of service.

She is survived by her husband Jack of the home; two sons: Leonard of Grove, Oklahoma and daughter-in-law LaVaughn, and Larry of Waynesville and daughter-in-law Mary Ann; three grandchildren Eddie, Willie, and Cris Ann Miller of Waynesville; one step-son, Dale Fritts of Richland; seven step-grandchildren; two brothers: W.H. Scott of Richland, E.W. Scott of Montreal; one sister: Elizabeth Oursbourne of Stoutland; her mother, Mrs. Matilda Scott of Richland; a host of nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her father and two sisters and one brother.

Services were held Tuesday, September 25, 1984 at 10:30 a.m. at Colonial Funeral Chapel with Rev. Norman Sanders officiating.

Music was provided by Rusty Shadel, soloist and DeLores Shadel, organist.

Escorts were: Douglas Oursbourne, Ralph Gideon, Raymond Scott, Dale Fritts, Lynn Oursbourne, and Tony Crismon.

Burial was in the Beulah Cemetery.

Beulah Cemetery

Beulah Baptist Church at Beulah Cemetery. Photo by Pulaski Baptist Association.

Beulah Cemetery is located 4 miles across the Pulaski County, MO., line in Camden County, MO on Highway 7. According to Tombstone Inscriptions of Pulaski County it was established in 1881 and is very well kept.

Beulah Cemetery, near Richland, MO. Photo by Pulaski County Obits October, 2009

The earliest marked grave belongs to Josie V. Harris, daughter of Lemuel R. and M.E., who died 7 September, 1885. A Pulaski County pioneer, and beloved preacher, Thomas Jefferson Zumwalt, is buried here.

Headstone of T.J. Zumwalt (1840-1927) Photo by Pulaski County Obits October 3, 2009

Thomas Jefferson Zumwalt 1840-1927

Biography of Thomas J. Zumwalt, Pioneer Baptist Preacher

Thomas J. Zummwalt, pioneer Baptist preacher and leader of men in the Ozarks was born in Franklin county, Missouri November 11, 1840.

His father of German descent, his mother of Welch, but each was born in Missouri.

Bro. Zumwalt was a man of supreme simplicity, a man very humble in turn and very persistent in his beliefs. Through always very courteous and pleasant toward his adversaries.

He always commanded the good will and respect of all with whom he came in contact. He always tried to speak plain in his remarks so as to be distinctly understood, but never in the least offensive, and always ready to give his opposer the right of his opinions without the slightest feeling of indifference.

He was converted to the Christian religion when he was 19 years of age and joined the Baptist Church at Old Friendship. Soon after joining the Church
He felt the call to preach and was licensed to preach about 1860, but the Civil war broke out in 1861 hindering all progress in Church works until it’s close in 1865.

He joined the Confederate army under General Price and served with him until captured as prisoner of war and held in prison until the end of the war. When released from prison he returned to Pulaski County, Missouri and was ordained to preach in February, 1866, from that time on until his death…
…June, 1927 was continuously…
…to preach the Gospel. Just two weeks to the day from the time he preached his last sermon, he was laid to rest in the cemetery where he had preached his last sermon.

It has been said that he traveled more miles, preached more sermons, and baptized more people than any man who ever lived in this county.

He was married to Sarah Ma__ May 9, 1869. She passed away September 5, 1896. He was firm…his family discipline, but earnest and loving in his home government. A man who was devoted to his entire family, every struggled in every way to provide for them the greatest needs and pleasures of life.

His father died when he was___ years of age. Soon after his father’s death, his mother moved to Tennessee and lived there about three years. Then about 1853 they came back to Missouri. He spent the remainder of his life here in the Ozarks.

After a long and useful life, he passed on to his reward on June 18, 1927 making his life span __ years, seven months and 7 days.

This biography was written in long hand by John Zumwalt ,…..
…of Thomas J. Zumwalt. The biography was given to Dotson Sutton. Thomas J. was the first preacher Mr. Sutton ever heard in Pulaski County. The meeting…..held in a little log cabin at Sutton home in the South part of Pulaski County, Missouri in 18___. Dotson knew Uncle Tommy until his death. Dotson never heard a criticism about Uncle Tommy.- DOTSON SUTTON

Mary Mahala (1872-1889) & Mary Ellen (1874-1877) Zumwalt

This entry is from the J.J. Watts collection. John J. Watts hailed from Warren, Maine and moved to the northern Ozarks of Missouri sometime after the Civil War. He was a circuit-riding Baptist Minister and his territory covered Phelps, Pulaski, and Texas Counties and parts of Maries and Dent Counties. He established a cemetery, Watt’s Lawn, which is located 1 mile West of J Highway, near the Pulaski County-Phelps County line. This collection covers 1882-1912.

Mary Mahala, daughter of Rev. Thomas J. and Sarah Zumwalt, born in Rheubedeau (Roubidoux)Township, Pulaski Co., MO, Sept. 1st 1872, died 8 miles South of Richland, MO, in Laclede Co., Dec. 9th 1889, aged 17 ys. 3 ms. and 8 days. Also, Mary Ellen, daughter of Rev. Thomas J. and Sarah Zumwalt, born in Rheubedeau (Roubidoux) Township, Pulaski Co., March 24th 1874, and died there March 31st 1877, aged 3 years and 7 days. A funeral sermon in Laclede Co., MO, from Matt. 17 X 1 to 9 by J.J. Watts, Dec. 22d 1889 at 11 a.m. Sun. Bro. Zumwalt paid me $1.00.