Compiled
by Teresa Martin Klaiber
As
I have mentioned in previous posts in this series, we have several homemade
gravestones in our cemetery. But some
times the data on the stone does not match the official death certificate
information.
Clyde
Junior Smith was the son of Lewis Dewey Smith and wife Cynthia Ann Church, His
paternal grandparents, John and Sarah Catherine Dowdy Smith are buried in Ross
Cemetery on Jack’s Fork of Boyd County, Kentucky.
Clyde’s
birth “carved in stone” says he was born 11 July 1927 and died March 23 1931. Clyde Junior Smith’s official death
certificate (#5830) states he was born July 11, 1927 and was 3 years 8 months
and 10 days old when he died at home on Garner of Boyd County, Kentucky, 21 March 1931.
The
little boy contracted bronchial pneumonia that progressed from a simple cold.
His father gave the information and the place of burial is cited as Sexton
Cemetery not to be confused with Sexton Cemetery on Pigeon Roost on the next
ridge above Garner. Klaiber cemetery has
had several aka’s including Garner Cemetery and Sexton Cemetery.
The
last family member to be buried in Klaiber aka Sexton Cemetery was Sister
Rebecca Smith Moore on 21 April 2023. Sister, Bertha Mae Smith Shepherd, died
on 2 July 2021 and is also buried in Klaiber Cemetery. A brother James Richard Smith born 24 Dec
1924, was a World War II veteran who died 25 Jun 1988 and was brought back to
Klaiber Cemetery for burial from his residence in Anniston, Alabama.
Their
father Lewis Dewey Smith was born 5 March 1899 in Lawrence County, Kentucky, a
farmer, died 9 October 1977. His funeral was conducted at Ross Chapel on Bolt’s
Fork and burial was in Klaiber Cemetery. Lewis and Cynthia had eleven children.
Mother Cynthia Ann Church Smith was born
30 April 1901 in Lawrence County, Kentucky.
She was the daughter of James Monroe Church and wife Rebecca
Bryant. At her death, March 1994 she had
58 grandchildren, 82 great grandchildren and 15 great great grandchildren.
