Christian-Sasser Cemetery Alexander City, AL

I (Fuller C. Jones) personally visited the Christian Sasser Cemetery, also known as the North Central Avenue Cemetery, May 27, 2000. The cemetery is located about fifty yards west of North Central Avenue, just north of the location of the "pipeline" (a natural gas pipeline right-of-way) in Alexander City, Alabama, Tallapoosa County. The cemetery is enclosed in a four-foot high chain link fence. Weeds and kudzu vines were rapidly covering entire site which is 108 feet long (N-S) by 33 feet. wide (E-W). A survey of the cemetery was accomplished by the author in 2001; however see the information below.
Because of the proximity of the cemetery to the gas pipeline right of way, and the rerouting of some of the buried pipeline, a professional survey and search for additional gravesites outside the cemetery fence was done in 2002 by a professional archaeologist (Mr. James Ambrosino), commissioned by the natural gas company. This search was done by the use of ground penetrating radar (GPR), which is a very accurate way of determining objects and voids under the earth. Correspondence with the gentleman who did this work with his team provided a very accurate survey of the gravesites, along with photographs and descriptions of each gravestone in the cemetery. Our correspondence included discussion of the fact that the cemetery was unusual in that most graves were the direct descendants of J. T. P. Christian, and no husbands of the deceased daughters. My own opinion is that this is probably because some of the husbands lost their lives in the Civil War, and were buried in some far off battlefield. The grave information is summarized below.
Grave Survey of Christian–Sasser Family Cemetery

1. C. Lester Burris; 1905-1984
Vera S. 1911-1988
[Headstone common to two graves]

2. Vera Etta Sasser Burris; September 5, 1911–November 19, 1988.
[Footstone]

3. Charles Lester Burris; April 25, 1905–February 19, 1984.
[Footstone]

4. Iseetta J. Matthews; June 2, 1862–Sept. 30, 1902.
"As a star that is lost
When the daylight is given
She hath faded away to
Shine brightly in Heaven"
4f. IJM [footstone]
This is the grave of the great-grandmother of Fuller C. Jones. The beautiful stone is leaning forward at about a ten degree angle.

5. John R, Sasser; July 13, 1903–Oct. 9, 1952.

6. Annie B. Sasser; Nov. 4, 1875–Feb. 26, 1960.

7. Jimmie H. Sasser; Feb. 1, 1872–Aug. 13, 1915.

8. Vera A. Patterson; Mar.7, 1875–Aug. 14, 1900. [This is a newer stone; see No. 26.]
8f. VAP [footstone]

9. Mary F.; Dau. of J. D. & N. A. Sasser; Oct. 16, 1868–July 19, 1898.
"Her end was Peace"

10. N. A. Sasser; Beloved Wife of J. D. Sasser; Born Dec. 6, 1841. Departed this life Jan. 25,1882.
"Died fully in the faith of Christ."
10.f. N A S [footstone – out of ground leaning against tree]

11. Zachery T. Christian; "Sacred to the Memory of Zachery T.–Son of J.T.P. & P. A. Christian"
Born Apr. 28th 1856–Died Aug. 2nd 1879
11f. Z T C [footstone]

12. Sarah F. Sides; "Daughter of J.T.P. & P. A. Christian"
Born Apr. 27th 1850–Died Sept. 5th, 1878.

13. Susan G. Thrash; "Daughter of J.T.P. & P. A. Christian"
Born June 11th, 1858–Died Sept. 10th, 1877.
13f. S G T [footstone]

14. Eliza C. Sides; "Sacred to the Memory of Eliza C. Sides
Daughter of J.T.P. & P. A. Christian"
Born Jan. 7th, 1852–Died July 5th, 1877.
14f. E C S [footstone]

15. Harriet J. Sides;
"Sacred to the Memory of Harriet J. Sides
Daughter of J.T.P. & P. A. Christian"
Born Nov. 22, 1847–Died Nov. 7, 1876.
15f. H J S [footstone]

16. Hezekiah; "Sacred to the Memory of Hezekiah;
Son of J.T.P. & P. A. Christian;"
Born Jan. 9th 1846–Died Oct. 8th 1873
16f. [footstone]

17. Emily C.; "Sacred to the Memory of Emily C.;
Daughter of J.T.P. & P. A. Christian"
Born Feb. 5th 1854–Died May. 18th 1872
17f. [footstone]

18. Joseph J.; "Son of J.T.P. & P. A. Christian;"
Born May 25th, 1861–Died Nov. 25th, 1862.
18f. [footstone]

19. Infant Daughter of J.T.P. & P. A. Christian; Born Feb 22nd, 1866.
19f. [footstone–sunk to level of ground.]

20. James T. P. Christian; Born March 4th, 1815–Died July 16th, 1881. "He died in the faith of Christ"
20f. J T P C [footstone]
[Headstone broken – Upper portion lying face up on the ground to west of base. This is the patriarch of this Christian family.]

21. [?]
21f. [footstone–no inscription] We postulate that this is the burial place of Paulina, J. T. P. Christian's wife. It is adjacent to his location. Family legend says Paulina was buried next to J.T.P. Christian.

22. Matttie P.; Dau. of J. D. & N. A. Sasser; Dec. 2, 1870–July 26, 1872.
"Of Such is the Kingdom of Heaven"
22f. M P S [footstone]

23. [?]
23f. [footstone–no inscription.

24. Chalmers S.; Son of H. S. & I. J. Matthews
Born July 6, 1884–Died July 28, 1885.
Sleep on dear child
And with Him rest.
God called thee home
He thought it best."

25. William A. Sides; "Sacred to the memory of William A.;
Son of W. C. & H. J. Sides"
Born Sept. 30, 1871–Died Jan. 15, 1888.

26. Broken stone; See No. 8.
Vera A. Patterson; Mar. 7, 1875–Aug. 14, 1900.
"She was the sunshine of our home."
[Outside of the cemetery, lying by access road]

End Cemetery Survey.