Big Piney River Cemetery

The stones in this cemetery have been moved to Dry Creek Cemetery. Only an empty field, and the slightest indentions in the ground let you know that there are burials six feet below. A fence used to mark the perimeter. Near Ferrell Bluff. Grave sites confirmed by Freddy Gray JR.


N37 55.162 W -92 14.487 (GPS Coordinates by Pulaski County Historical Society 12-6-2010)

George L. Roam 1917-2010

The following was shared by Michael Roam and was originally published in Lebanon Daily Record.

George L. Roam, 92, of Richland, died Saturday, Jan. 26, 2010, in Richland.

He was born Sept. 1, 1917, at Swedeborg, Mo. to Charles Sylvester and Nancy Ellen Kissinger Roam.

On Oct. 31, 1937, he married Geraldine Thornsberry, who preceded him in death.

He also was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Omar and Ferrell Roam and a granddaughter, Kristy Ann Roam.

He was a livestock farmer in Pulaski and Camden counties.

He was a member of First Christian Church of Richland.

Survivors include his son, Robert Roam and his wife, Mary Elizabeth, of Springfield; his daughter, Kathryn Wilke, of Bloomington, Ill.; six grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; also other relatives.

Services for George L. Roam will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010, at the First Christian Church of Richland with Tim Gola officiating.

Burial will be in the Oaklawn Cemetery at Richland, under the direction of Shadels Colonial Chapel of Lebanon.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. Tuesday until service time at 1 p.m. at the First Christian Church of Richland.

Memorials have been established to the Richland Care Center or The First Christian Church of Richland.

Mary Elizabeth (Roam) Maness 1912-2004

The following was shared by Michael Roam and was originally published in Pulaski County Democrat, Feb. 6, 2004.

Mary Elizabeth Maness, daughter of Alpha and Edith Lundstrom Roam, was born Sept. 21, 1912 in Swedeborg, and departed this life Jan. 25, 2004 in Springfield at the age of 91.

On Nov. 5, 1938 she was united in marriage with Leo S. Maness. He preceded her in death on Dec. 5, 1982.

At the time of her death, she was a member of the Baptist Church.

Mary enjoyed quilting, taking care of her many plants and flowers, especially her roses, writing letters to all her family and friends, and listening to gospel music.

She is survived by two brothers, Glen Roam of Visalia, Calif., and Mac Roam of Woodlake, Calif.; two sisters, Helen Manes of Nixa and Hulda McMillan of Coos Bay, Ore.; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Mary was also preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Virda Fritts and Rachel Roam; and three brothers, William Guy, William Luther, and Paul Eugene Roam.

Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2004 at Colonial Chapel, Richland, with Rev. Myron Fesler officiating. Escorts were Charles Webster, Jimmie Pentecost, John A. Manes, Kenny McDaniel, Richard Pentecost, David Manes and Brian Miller. Honorary Escorts were Eli Sullivan, Chase Sullivan and Corey Dale McDaniel.

Massie Rodgers d. Dec 21, 1897

The following was originally printed in the Rolla Herald January 13, 1898 and was reprinted in the old Settler’s Gazette in 1998.

“A letter from N.B. Slaughter, of Vest, MO, informs us of the death of Uncle Massie Rodgers, which occurred at the home of Jacob Long, near the Wagon Ford of Big Piney, December 21, 1897. Mr. Rodgers was over 85 years of age and an excellent citizen. In the summer of 1896 he plowed and raised a crop of corn, some 200 bushels."

Edith Pearley Roam 1873-1929

The following obituary was provided by Michael Roam and was published in the Dixon Pilot, April 1929.

Mrs.Roam Called.

Edith Pearley Roam, a life-long resident of Pulaski county, died at her home in
Crocker April 2nd,after a few days illness.
Mrs. Roam was Born near Bells Creek,February 15,1873.
Funeral services were conducted Wednesday morning at the Christian Church,
after which she was laid to rest in the Crocker Cemetery.

Henry Roam 1835-1916

The following obituary was provided by Michael Roam, and was published in The Crocker News, February 24, 1916 .

Henry Roam was born in Overton county,Tenn., November 30,1835, and died at his home in Crocker,Mo., February 15,1916. aged 80 years,2 month and 15 days.

He married Rhoda Strain, April 16,1853,who died January,1892. Two this union were born eleven children, nine of whom survive him.

On April 24,1892, he married Pearlie Stockton. Ten children were born to this union.

Of these children all but one survive him.

He leaves to mourn his demise his widow, eighteen children, all of whom attended the funeral and a host of true friends. He was a member of the church for many years and for thirty years was a minister of the gospel. Funeral services were held in the Christian Church on Tuesday afternoon of last week and interment was made in the Crocker Cemetery. Rev Mahaney, of Richland,conducted the services.


Card of Thanks
We wish to thank our friends and neighbors who so kindly assisted us during the illness And death of our loving husband and father.
Mrs. H. Roam and children.

Clifford C. Poulson 1909-1984

Clifford C. Poulson was born on November 16, 1909 at Crocker, Missouri; the son of Seldon G. and Hattie Josephine (Gray) Poulson, and departed this life on January 12, 1984 at the Missouri Veteran’s Home in Mount Vernon, Missouri. He had attained the age of 74 years, 1 month, and 27 days.

Clifford served over 25 years in Military Service with the United States Air Force, retiring in 1960 with the rank of Master Sergeant.

He was a loving Christian person. He was all liked by all who knew him. He greatly enjoyed all outdoor activities. He will be sadly missed by those that knew and loved him.

Funeral services were conducted on Saturday, January 14, 1984 at the Long Moss Williams Chapel of Crocker, Missouri at 2 p.m. with Chaplain Captain Alan Hendrickson officiating.

Burial was in the Antioch Cemetery, Crocker, Missouri, under the direction of the Long Moss Williams Funeral Home of Crocker, Missouri. Military honors were presented at graveside.

Pallbearers were military.

Clifford is survived by 2 daughters: Sue Mays, Billings, Missouri; Patricia Hall, New Caney, Texas; 1 son: Clifford B. Poulson, Middleburg, Florida; 3 sisters: Gertie Deardeuff, Ozark, Missouri; Edith Crow, Springfield, Missouri, Mae Salveter, Crocker, Missouri; 1 Brother: Paul Poulson, Springfield, Missouri; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Helen Rita, 3 brothers, and 1 sister.

Virgil Logan Collins 1937-1984

Virgil Logan Collins, son of George L. and Emma (Brown) Collins was born March 29, 1937 in Pulaski County, Missouri, and he departed this life May 12, 1984 at the Osteopathic Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at the age of 47 years past.

He had made his home in Tulsa for the past 20 years where he was employed by Continental Trailways Bus Company.

He professed Christ as Savior and was baptized in the fellowship of the First Baptist Church of Waynesville at the age of 10 years.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 15, 1984 at 2:00 p.m. at the Waynesville Memorial Chapel with Rev. Othal Hodson and Ron Collins officiating.

Interment was in the Waynesville Memorial Park Cemetery under direction of Waynesville Memorial Chapel.

Those serving as pallbearers were Martin Rothstein, Chuck Kramer, Bill Wagner, Terry Collins, Ron Alto, and Jerry Tonroy.

He is survived by his wife Pat, of the home: two sons, Gregg of Altus, Oklahoma and Marty of Muskogee, Oklahoma; one daughter Deanna Woods of Muskogee, Oklahoma, his mother Emma Collins of Waynesville, Missouri; two brothers, Charles Collins of Waynesville, Missouri and Ronald Collins of Tempe, Arizona; three sisters, Barbara Jean Alto of Anoka, Minnesota; Joyce Tonroy of Indianapolis, Indiana; Georgia Kay McIntosh of Irvine, Kentucky; one step son, Vernon Edmonds; three step daughters: Heather Benwars, Michelle Edmonds, and Tracy Edmonds, all of Tulsa, Oklahoma; two step grandchildren, Jeremy and Patricia, both of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and many other relatives and friends.

Earl Monroe Keaton 1911-1984

Earl Monroe Keaton born August 24, 1911, and passed away February 9, 1984, at the age of 72 years, 5 months, and 16 days. He passed away at the Nursing Wing in the Phelps County Medical Center, in Rolla, Missouri.

He was the son of William Leon Keaton and Sarah Francis (Palmer) Keaton.

He grew up on a farm and at the age of 20 he was married to Nola June Lane and to this union six children were born.

He lived in the same area he grew up in. He was a lifelong resident of Big Piney and Duke area.

He was saved, baptized in the Big Piney River under the services of Brother Ishmael Wilson and joined the Church of Christ at Edgar Springs, Missouri.

Services were held Sunday, February 12, 1984 at 2:00 p.m. in the Fox Funeral Chapel by Brother Ishmael Wilson officiating.

Pallbearers were: Bob Lane, Champ Lane, Bill Lane, Wayne Barr, Larry Keaton, and Jim Birch. Interment in the Watts Cemetery under the direction of Fox Funeral Home of Licking, Missouri.

He leaves to mourn his passing wife Nola, of the home; three sons, Don of Kansas; Ward of Edgar Springs, Missouri; Freddie of Beulah, Missouri; one daughter Genevia of Williamsburg, Missouri; ten grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; four brothers, Clyde of St. Louis, Missouri; Everett of Dixon, Missouri; Edd of Richland, Missouri; and Robert of Licking, Missouri.

Earl will be sadly missed by friends and neighbors in the Duke area.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sons, Norman Dale and one died in infancy, four sisters and three brothers.

William Terrill Solberg 1973-1984

William Terrill Solberg was born August 25, 1973, in Globe, Arizona, and he departed this life February 8, 1984 at the General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, in his 10th year.

William, also known as Spider, was loving, happy, and he enjoyed his family and friends. He was indeed a very Special Child.

Visitation was held Friday, February 10, 1984 at the Waynesville Memorial Chapel. Funeral services and burial was held Monday, February 13, 1984 at the Palmer Globe Mortuary in Globe, Arizona. Interment was in the Hollyhill Crest Cemetery, arrangements were under the direction of the Waynesville Memorial Chapel.

He is survived by his parents: Sgt. First Class Arthur and Deborah Bustamanpe. Two sisters Shawna Solberga and Shondra Harris all of Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. His grandmother, Fern Wheeler, of Globe, Arizona, and many other relatives and friends.