Midkiff Memorial bench added to the Midkiff cemetery
February 2025
The family of James Timothy (Tim) Midkiff recently donated a bench to the Midkiff Family Cemetery in memory of his dad and brother. The bench was formerly located at Flat Rock Presbyterian Church on East Pine Street. When the Presbyterian church closed its doors, finding the bench a new home to pay respects to his family was important. Looking back at genealogy records (thanks Donna Keck!) and a conversation with Mr. Midkiff, we clarified the connection with cemetery founder, Christopher Columbus Midkiff.
Tim’s father was Jimmy Douglas Midkiff, although some in the community may remember him as “Smiley”. He graduated from Flat Rock High School and married his sweetheart, Mary Bettie Hicks Midkiff at Flat Rock Presbyterian Church. Tim’s brother, Mark Douglas Midkiff, who passed away in 2009 is also memorialized by the bench. He was buried in FL but his mom wanted a local way to honor his memory.
The connection to the family cemetery is as follows: Jimmie was the son of James Thomas (Tom) Midkiff and Betty Snow. Tom is the son of Edward Albert Midkiff, who was the son of Christopher Columbus Midkiff.
For further information...
Link to Mr. Jimmy Midkiff’s obituary.
Link to Mark Midkiff’s obituary
Link to partial list of loved ones buried at Midkiff Cemetery (completed 2006)
Link to Find a Grave
Beulah midkiff inman celebrates the family's 2020 donation to the midkiff cemetery August 2020
In the late 1800s, Christopher Columbus Midkiff designated part of his property as a family cemetery. Now years later his granddaughter, Beulah, is still honoring the decision to provide a peaceful resting place for family members who have passed away. Beulah’s father was Ephraim, who was the seventh child of CC Midkiff.
The Ephraim Midkiff branch has been hosting a family reunion each August for over 20 years.
A highlight of the reunion is when family members bring items, some homemade and others found, to auction off as they raise money. The collected proceeds are donated to the Midkiff Family Cemetery to offset the expenses of upkeep. Beulah and her relatives have now donated over $11,000 since 2001 with their annual reunion fundraising efforts. For 2020 the Ephraim Midkiff family raised $1000 in honor of Beulah, by far the largest annual amount.
Donations by families like these as well as those of interested people with relatives buried at the Midkiff Cemetery are essential. They provide necessary funding for the Trustees to maintain the grounds while keeping the Midkiff Cemetery a pleasant place of solitude for our beloved family members after they are gone from this earth.
We'd love to showcase how your family is helping keep up the Midkiff Family Cemetery. Let's encourage and spur one another on!
Send your story to Contact@midkiffcemetery.org
Special Upkeep Spring 2020 May 2020
In our best attempt to honor the memory our family buried here and their loved ones who visit, some cemetery repairs were necessary. This has allowed us to know the identity of one person whose gravestone was laying face down hiding the name from view by any visitors. The repairs have also made the cemetery safer for visitors and those responsible for upkeep. The work totaled $1350.
​
It is our desire to rightly share ownership of the cemetery in word and deed. To the right, you will see photos of the recent work.
​
Please join us as we continue to honor our ancestry physically by helping to keep it free of litter and financially by donating.
Family markers affected are:
Sam Holt
Infant of JL & MJ Sutphin
Willie & Sarah Sutphin
Elizabeth Sutphin
Irvin Sutphin
James Sutphin
Daut Childress
Emma Johnson Childress
​
​
Above: Grave of Sam Holt (previously unidentifiable)
Below: Infant stone, previously without a base.
