Bayou Blue

Provencal

Bayou Blue Cemetery is located off LA Hwy 120, about 4 miles east of Provencal, LA. If approaching from Provencal traveling east, turn left onto Parish Road 618  Bayou Blue Road, travel ½ mile, turn right, travel about one block and the road ends at the Bayou Blue Cemetery.

Ms. Dottie Smith remembers her mother-in-law, Mrs. Ola Smith, saying that there was a Methodist Church and a school at the site of the present Bayou Blue Cemetery late 1800's - early 1900's. Mrs. Ola Smith related that all cooking for Sunday's meals was done on Saturday, and that the preacher always came to their house for dinner on the Sunday that he preached in the Bayou Blue Methodist Church. Most rural churches had a part-time pastor; usually services were held only once a month, when the 'circuit' preacher made his appointed rounds.

Members were extremely devout and knowledgeable Bible scholars. Mr. Edmon Smith, in particular, had been known to cease the plowing of fields in order to discuss, debate, and expound upon his interpretation of various Bible verses with visitors.

The Bayou Blue Cemetery is situated in a quiet, wooded area. The cemetery is well tended and plans are underway for additional clearing near the cemetery for parking, etc. A new cyclone fence has been erected by the Parsons and Smith families, dedicated to the memory of James T. Parsons and Huey E. Smith.

Special thanks are extended to Mrs. Dottie Lou McClory Smith for her guidance and assistance in preparing the Bayou Blue Cemetery listing.

Compiled by Dottie L. M. Smith and N. Liles, May 1998

BEARDEN, Ader S.  September 4, 1867 - June 8, 1943, Double stone: John B. Bearden

BEARDEN, John B.  March 7, 1877 - October 7, 1927, Double stone: Ader S. Bearden

CAMPBELL, Ray Earnest  December 1, 1914 - December 26, 1977 , S2 US NAVY WW II

FREEMAN, Nancy Jane Smith, Mrs.  November 17, 1856 - March 25, 1925, native of Robeline, LA

CATES, William Thomas  January 15, 1920 - April 29, 1995, h-o _______ Delasard

GILCREASE, Henry  May 3, 1894 - June 22,1983, Double stone: Florence B. Gilcrease

GILCREASE, Florence B.  February 4, 1897 - September 28, 1964, Double stone: Henry Gilcrease

PARSONS, James T., Rev.  Oct 29, 1891 - January 4, 1943 

PARSONS, Mrs. James T.  June 11, 1898 - October 31, 1932, nee Everlee Smith

PARSONS, James Thomas 'J.T.'  November 29, 1927 - January 17, 1997, s-o Rev. James T. Parsons and Everlee Smith Parsons

PARSONS, Vernon  May 30, 1920 - July 17, 1926, s-o Sarah Parsons

PAUNCEY, Clarence Ara  August 22, 1880 - January 10, 1963 

SMITH, Eldred P.  May 26, 1866 - November 18, 1924, husband of Mary Virginia Smith, father of Edmon Smith

SMITH, Edmon  October 23, 1906 - November 6, 1991, Double stone: Ola E. Moss Smith, father of Huey Earl Smith

SMITH, Ola E. Moss  October 23, 1910 - not carved, wife of Edmon Smith -- Married April 16, 1926, mother of Huey Earl Smith

SMITH, Huey Earl  July 25, 1941 - September 29, 1996, Double stone: Dottie Lou McClory Smith

SMITH, Dottie Lou  May 31, 1945 -not carved, wife of Huey Earl Smith -- Married July 11, 1968

SMITH, Gilbert Johnnie III  November 24, 1960 - December 17, 1963

SMITH, James Thomas  December 4, 1832 - January 4, 1906, grandfather of J.C. Smith

SMITH, Ellwood  November 5, 1918 - April 10, 1920 

SMITH, Mary Virginia  March 9, 1876 - October 30, 1945, w-o Eldred P. Smith, m-o Edmon Smith

VASCOCU, Edgar Eugene  August 17, 1881 - February 27, 1969, Double stone: Bessie Vascocu

VASCOCU, Bessie  May 14, 1891 - February 21, 1977, Double stone: Edgar Eugene Vascocu

VASCOCU, John Thomas  January 18, 1914 - December 27, 1950, LA S2 USNR WW II

WELDON, Annie  Born 1859 - Died 1913, w-o Herman Weldon

WELDON, Herman  Born 1888 - Died 1916, h-o Annie Weldon

Marked unidentified graves:

1. To the left of the James Thomas Smith stone: one grave marked with petrified wood log, approximately five inches in diameter, 12 inches in height.

2. At the foot of the James Thomas Smith grave: one grave marked with a red tile flower holder.

3. Middle of first row, reading right to left: 5 graves marked with large stones possibly handmade concrete; at foot of one of these graves is a sixth stone, probably too large to be a foot stone, so possibly marking a sixth grave. Mrs. D. Smith indicates that these are graves of Vascocus  possibly infants; they are adjacent to Vascocu marked graves.