Stuttgart in Arkansas County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

Love Rest Green Grove Cemetery

Photographed by Glenn Mosenthin, August 11, 2023

1. Love Rest Green Grove Cemetery side of marker

Inscription. Green Grove Cemetery got its official beginning when Martin and Minnie Buerkle sold two acres of property to the Trustees of Green Grove Cemetery Association in September of 1903. This cemetery was likely the first burial ground dedicated to serving Stuttgart’s growing African American population. From Arkansas County Courthouse documents, it has been established that two burials took place prior to the sale of the land: Ms. Etta Ellis, born 22 October 1862, died 19 August 1879; and Ms. Hannah Rayford, born 1864, died 4 July 1888. It is believed that the Trustees either sold or gave a portion of the land to businessman and founder of Relerford and Son Funeral Home, Mr. James Wesley Relerford, who was Stuttgart’s first Black mortician. As we have seen, there are death certificates with place of interment Green Grove cemetery and others with place of interment in Love Rest Cemetery. Mr. Relerford himself is interred in Love Rest Cemetery in addition to his son and successor, Mr. Booker Theodore Relerford and several members of the Relerford family.

The Black community has grown to call the cemeteries "Love Rest Green Grove

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Cemetery,” one cemetery with two locations. Mr. Mack Skinner, Stuttgart's first Black master plumber and first Black elected school board official, is interred in Love Rest Cemetery. Additionally, several members and speakers at the Stuttgart Negro Civic League of the 1960s era are residents of both Green Grove and Love Rest, as are several World War I and World War II veterans. Green Grove hails Professor Leroy Davis Holman, the educator for whom Holman School is named. Viet Nam War veteran PFC Robert Lee Ramsey, Jr., U.S.M.C. is also among its icons. Over time the cemetery footprints became obscured and its early history almost forgotten due to inactivity, as the cemetery had only three plots remaining in it by January 1978. We are dedicated to keeping alive the memories of all whom we hold dear who are resting in Love Rest Green Grove Cemetery.

Erected 2023.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1978.

Location. 34° 30.72′ N, 91° 32.549′ W. Marker is in Stuttgart, Arkansas, in Arkansas County.

Photographed by Glenn Mosenthin, August 11, 2023

2. Love Rest Green Grove Cemetery side of marker

It is on Michigan Avenue (U.S. 79), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 13 McCoy Road, Stuttgart AR 72160, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Arkansas Delta,

in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain,

and in the Quapaw Homeland.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mississippi Delta.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Camp Mitchell (approx. 0.9 miles away); Holman School (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Britsch Grocery (approx. one mile away); Rev. Adam Buerkle (approx. one mile away); Stuttgart's First Public School (approx. 1.1 miles away); Stuttgart Centennial (approx. 1.1 miles away); Grand Avenue United

Love Rest Green Grove Cemetery & Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, July 5, 2026

3. Love Rest Green Grove Cemetery & Marker

The marker is in the distance when looking through the memorial arch.

Methodist Church (approx. 1.2 miles away); Stuttgart Army Airfield (approx. 6.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stuttgart.

Also see . . . Love Rest Green Grove Cemetery marker dedicated (Stuttgart Daily Leader, Oct. 16, 2023). (Submitted on October 26, 2023.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2023, by Glenn Mosenthin of Searcy, Arkansas. This page has been viewed 499 times since then and 67 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 24, 2023, by Glenn Mosenthin of Searcy, Arkansas. 3. submitted on July 6, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.