Near Woodville in Tyler County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Moss Hill Community Cemetery
To help recognize its African American Heritage, Tyler County resident John Cruse donated two acres here in 1906 to the Moss Hill community for church and cemetery purposes. According to local tradition the cemetery was established in the early 1900s because of the rising number of deaths within the membership of Moss Hill's Baptist Church.
Although evidence of several unmarked grave sites suggests prior burials, the first documented interment was that of Lane Siggers in 1907. Other early burials include those of Harriet Barlow in 1913, Ellis Gilder in 1916, Lottie Blackmon in 1917, Willie Blackmon in 1918, David Rigsby in 1922. J. C. McCartney in 1926, and Lizziebeth Cluff in 1926. The cemetery contains the grave sites of many of this area's most prominent civic and religious leaders.
In the early 1980s a group of local citizens formed the Moss Hill Cemetery Committee to help maintain the cemetery grounds. The committee sponsored garage and bake sales and other projects which raised sufficient funds to purchase and install a fence. Members of the community established a tradition of meeting during the fall of each year for a cemetery homecoming and grounds maintenance.
Erected 1994 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 11371.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.
Location. 30° 48.261′ N, 94° 21.724′ W. Marker is near Woodville, Texas, in Tyler County. Marker is on Moss Hill Road (County Highway 3550) 0.4 miles north of U.S. 190, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Woodville TX 75979, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. John Henry Kirby and Education in Woodville (approx. 3.7 miles away); Texas Statesman Allan Shivers (approx. 3.7 miles away); Tyler County (approx. 3.8 miles away); Tyler County Courthouse (approx. 3.8 miles away); Woodville Academy and Woodville College (approx. 3.8 miles away); Lt. Col. Phillip A. Work (approx. 3.8 miles away); Home of James Edward Wheat (approx. 3.8 miles away); Woodville Magnolia Cemetery (approx. 3.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Woodville.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 1, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 30, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 234 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 30, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.