Francis Marion Whatley

Francis Marion Whatley. . , Francis Marion Whatley , He was born on September 21, 1839 and died on April 22, 1903. He married Matilda Thompson (1842-1877) who died at 35 years of age. He later married Emma E. Radney (1861-1941) he had 14 children with 4 dying as infants. An industrious man, he was a farmer and owned a general store, cotton gin and warehouse. He served in the military and was a prisoner of war. He was a leader in his community and established a school church and cemetery. , Francis Marion Whatley School , Adjacent from this site F.M. built a one room school house about 1899 among the teachers and principals were the Whatley family daughters: Jessie, Ida and Clara. Closing date is unknown but was operating in 1923. , Whatley Church , Francis Marion Whatley, a member of the Mount Olive Primitive Baptist Church congregation donated land for a church due west on a hill across the road from this site within view of his home. The church was built in 1905 as an outgrowth of Mount Olive. A baptismal pool was built north of this site supplied by a flowing stream. The church was closed in 1935 and the records were returned to Mount Olive. , Cemetery , This cemetery was established in 1900 on Whatley land at the death of Opheli, youngest beloved child of F.M. and Emma Whatley. This burial site was chosen in her memory being located next to Whatley School and in sight of the family home. This cemetery has become the final resting place for many relatives and neighbors.