Baker Cemetery, Kyles Ford, TN
Although the address for the cemetery is traditionally given as “Kyles Ford”, the official location is Eidson, in Hancock County, Tennessee. It resides on a hill near the Clinch River on Route 33-Kyles Ford Road, between Willis Chapel Road and Fleenor Circle.
Alfred Baker, 1877-1964
The Baker Cemetery takes its name from the man who donated his land for its use, Alfred Baker (pictured left). Alfred donated the land for the old section of the cemetery. It already contained graves going back to the late 1700s, including Bakers, Wallens, Livesays, Roberts, Holts, Johnsons, Moores, Singletons, Snodgrass and other families.
Alfred’s daughter, Sophie (Baker) Livesay, later donated more land for the cemetery. Her family also oversaw its care and upkeep for many years.
Below, I have images of family members buried in the Baker Cemetery. Perhaps you will be able to find some of your own ancestors or relatives listed here. You can find a listing of graves in this cemetery at https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/8851/memorial-search?page=4#sr-52422606
My dear sister, Gwen Roberts, 1955-2006. She was my mentor and best friend.
My father, Foyster W. Roberts, 1928-2010. I’ve never known a better Christian or father.
My uncle, David Baker, 1949-2004
My uncle, James Baker, 1930-1985. He taught singing schools and helped organize county and state singing conventions throughout the South.
My uncle, Paul Baker, 1929-2001
My grandparents, Claude Baker, 1907-1992, & Nettie (Burke) Baker, 1910-1986
My uncle, Willard Roberts, 1922-2004
My aunt, Thelma Roberts, 1924-1994
My uncle, Claude Roberts, 1931-1987. He and my dad were close when they were young and Claude served as dad’s best man at his wedding.
My aunt, Bauer (Roberts) Johnson, 1921-1979
My 2nd cousin & daughter of Sophie (Baker) Livesay, Majorie Singleton, 1929-2007
Majorie’s husband, A Y Singleton, 1918-1977
My great aunt & donor of the new section of the cemetery, Sophie (Baker) Livesay, 1910-1999
Husband of Sophie, Joe Livesay, 1893-1967
My great grandpa, Alfred Baker, 1877-1964. He donated the land for the original cemetery, hence its name. Ironically, his grave is located smack-dab in the middle of the cemetery, right on the border of the old and new sections.
My great, great, great grandpa, Andrew C. “Big Andy” Baker, 1814-1861. His tombstone appears to be homemade and is very weathered.
My great, great, great grandma, Elizabeth “Betty” (Roberts) Baker, 1818-1913.
My great,great grandfather, Claiborne W. Baker, 28 Feb 1833-20 Jun 1908
My uncle, Tom Roberts, 1918-1978. Due to a birth injury, he had the mind of a child. He lived with my uncle Lawrence’s family till his death in 1978. He loved to play records. When we would visit Lawrence’s family, Tom would insist that my brother Greggy be carried back to his room and he would play Southern Gospel music for him. He knew that Greggy loved it.
My grandmother, Esta Mae (Wallen) Roberts, 1896-1955. She asked to be buried here next to her father since the space next to her husband in the Austin J. Bledsoe cemetery had already been taken by his oldest sister and her husband.
My great grandpa, Davey Wallen, 1857-1942. He and great grandma are buried on opposite sides of the cemetery. This was due to him requesting, “Whatever you do, don’t bury me in water.” When they dug the grave next to hers, it filled in with water the next day. So, they put great grandpa on the opposite side of the cemetery.
My uncle, Lawrence Roberts. He was the second oldest brother and became a surrogate father to the family when grandpa died in 1940. He even cared for grandma and uncle Tom till they died. My dad had much love and respect for Lawrence.
My great, great grandma, Jane (Banks) Wallen, 1818-1881.
William J. “Big Sandy” Wallen, 1816-1886. He has a veteran’s headstone, due to serving in “Company L, 8th Regiment of the United States Army of Tennessee”. His son Joe B. Wallen, who is buried here also, was conscripted by the Confederate Army, captured at Vicksburg, paroled, then joined the Union Army with Big Sandy.
Jeff, Now I know this is you that created this site, correct? This is AwEsOmE, and such a GREAT TRIBUTE!
Love,
Debra Baker Conner
Hello, I was researching my 5th great grand father Elisha Wallen when I found this site. It would appear that we are somewhat related. I am also decended from “Big Andy”. He was my 3rd great grandfather as well. I am then decended from Joseph Robert Baker. I have not been in Kyles Ford since Grandad’s funeral in 1998 and do not recall ever having been to this cemetary. The Livesays and Testermans are buried in the cemetary off of Old Kyles Ford Rd. I would like to ask permission to copy some of these photos into my family tree (only on my computer, not anywhere online, nor published in any form). I would, of course, give you credit for the photos if you provide me with the information you would like attributed to the photos. Thank you, I look forward to hearing from you.
I went to a cemetary only one time when my dad wanted to go back and visit where he was raised just in GA below the TN line at Chattanooga, TN. He went through school and graduated from high school in Chattanooga. The family lived at times on one side of the border or the other but wound up in TN mostly. My grandfather Marshall Greene Lafayette Roberts is buried in a family plot there that we finally found grown up and almost hidden. This was close to McLemore cove and we read the plaque beside the road for the Indian scout John McLemore while there and visited homesites of relatives who lived there back in dad’s time then. He spent time playing all over Lookout Mtn. before it became a popular National Mounument. Great pictures, Mike
Hello. I too am related to the Roberts . Wallen. Burke families
I found cousins on here Forreter Foyester Roberts
I am from Emanual Roberts line
Catherine
I am looking for bakers who may be buried in the cemetery. Most of the baker family moved to Spartanburg, south Carolina, in the late 1940’s to early 1950’s to work at Spartan mills in Spartanburg, sc. As a child, I remember there were brothers and sisters who came here with their father who died in Spartanburg around 1954 (maybe 53 or 55. We just referred to him as poppy baker. I know his family took him back to the Tennessee hills to bury him near his birthplace. Some of the names of his sons and daughters were: Otis, buck, Irene, bee, Quinn or quinine, tootsie. If you can help me locate poppy baker’s gravesite, I would be most appreciative. I would like to travel to the Kyles Ford, Tennessee area and visit his grave and to see the area where the baker family lived prior to their relocation to Spartanburg, sc. I was a little kid who lived next door to the baker family who were the nicest neighbors anyone could have. thanks
I was just at this cemetery on Easter, looking for the grave of my grandmother, Bessie Roberts, even though I am sure sure is buried in the Roberts cemetery (which I couldn’t find!). I wasn’t sure who many of the people were, but I am so grateful for your descriptions, especially of some of the more worn graves. I am so excited to know that this is where my Great Great Great Grandfather,Big Sandy, is buried! I will have to come back on another occasion and pay my proper respects. Thanks so much for sharing!
Me and my wife drove up to Kyle’s Ford Tennessee yesterday stop at the Baker Family Cemetery im grandson of Mary Fain Dexter and Dana Henson and visit with Martha Joe
William J. “Big Sandy” Wallen/Walling was the son of Jamee Carr and Mary (Johnson) Walling. He married Jane Banks June 9, 1836 in Kyles Ford, Hancock County, Tennessee. They had had 11 children. Their daughter, Icy, had a daughter by the name of Ellen Gilliam. I an trying to locate the cemetery where Big Sandy’s parents are buried. It’s called the Old Wallen Cemetery. Curious to if it’s the cemetery on the right of 33 as you travel from Kyle’s Ford up to this Baker Cemetery at the power substation.
Esta Mae (Wallen) Roberts is my great grandmother, her daughter Lelia Bauer (Roberts) Johnson is my grandmother, her daughter Rita Fay (Johnson) Ferrell is mother. My mother Rita was born and raised in Tennessee and moved to Michigan after she married my father in the late 70s. I never met any of her side of my family, but I’m happy to have found this site and more information.
Hi cousin. I am in touch with your sister Gina on Facebook. I never met your grandmother. I also never had the chance to meet your mother although I grew up not too far away in Dayton, Ohio. I connected with her sister, Beatrice, @10 years ago. We also have never met, but have communicated through Facebook.
Hi ,Donna Livesay Finley , Sophie Baker was my grandmother , spent many summers in Kyles Ford , me & my cousins use to play in the cemetery .I Live in Kingsport ..