History

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New Wensley Cemetery was founded in 1949 when burial space became limited at Old Wensley Cemetery on Freeman Road.  Deacon Ellis Taylor, Sr. was the chairman of the cemetery.  The first burial was the son of Deacon Ellis Taylor, Sr. in the year of 1950.  In August, 1957, the cemetery committee elected officers.  These distinguished individuals were: Bro. Ellis Taylor, Sr., President; Bro. Oscar Flournoy, Vice-President; Sis. Iona Robinson, Secretary; and Deacon Dewey Williams, Treasurer.  This was the first year there was a cemetery homecoming honoring New Wensley Cemetery. 

The purpose of the homecoming was to raise money to build a fence around the cemetery.  The cost of the fence was $1,033.29.  The fence was completed in August, 1961.  In June, 1963, a bank account was opened at First State Bank for the cemetery.  In June, 1964, timber was cut at Old Wensley Cemetery so that it could be sold to build a fence around it as well.  It was not until August, 1971, that Deacon Ellis Taylor purchased wire and post to build the fence around Old Wensley.

March, 1967 marked the beginning of the upkeep of the cemetery.  Bro. Sim Robinson was hired to keep the cemetery grounds kept for a mere  $20.00 per month.  In June 1970, Mr. Howard Turner was elected as vice-president, after Mr. Oscar Flournoy had served a faithful 13 years as vice-president.  In July, 1977, Sis. Evelyn Scott was elected assistant secretary and two years following, Mr, Howard Turner, the vice-president was hired to upkeep the cemetery for $50.00 per month. 

In June 1981, Sis. Etta Mae Criswell was elected as assistant secretary.  Bro. Howard Turner served as vice president until 1985, giving 15 years of service to the New Wensley Cemetery.  In June, 1985, following Bro. Turner, Deacon Ben  Criswell was elected vice-president and Bro. J.D. Dirden was elected to assist the president, Deacon Ellis Taylor in his duties.  In 1987, Deacon Ellis Taylor had  served faithfully a total of 30 years as president of New Wensley Cemetery, until he had to resign  from office due to his health.  In June 1988, Sis. Marean Jessie and Sis. Betty Griffin was elected as assistant secretaries and Bro. Alvin Porter was hired to upkeep the cemetery for $60.00 per month.  In 1989, Bro. J. D. Dirden was officially elected as president.   Under his administration, Bro. Albert Jackson was hired as caretaker with the assistance Deacon Ben Criswell.  Sis. Iona Robinson resigned as secretary after serving 32 dedicated years to New Wensley.   

In May 1990, Sis. Betty Griffin was elected  as secretary and Deacon Dewey Williams resigned as treasurer due to his health.  Deacon Williams served as treasurer from 1957-1990,  for a total of 33 years.  Following Deacon Williams resignation, Bro. Ellis Taylor, Jr. was appointed to served as treasurer in June, 1990.   Also in June 1990, Bro. Dirden resigned as president and Deacon Layfate Griffin was elected as president.  Under Deacon Griffin's administration, roses were planted in the cemetery, trees were removed and an attempt was made to get an easement to Old Wensley Cemetery.  Officers and members worked on regaining access to the old cemetery.  Bro. Randolph was hired as caretaker for the cemetery.  In July, 1993, Deacon Griffin and Sis. Griffin resigned and Bro. Ellis Taylor, Jr. was elected as president; Sis. Etta Mae Criswell, Secretary; Sis. Marean Jessie, Assistant Secretary and Sis. Sherry Mitchell, Treasurer.

April 1994, a policy was adopted stating that if an individual or family member were not a member of the New Wensley Cemetery and  passed away, a $250.00 fee would be paid to the cemetery prior to burial.  In July, 1994, Bro. Ellis Taylor Jr. resigned as president.  Bro. Jerome Davis was elected as president.  Under Bro. Davis's administration, many pine trees were removed from the cemetery.  Bro. Ellis Taylor Jr. and Bro. Joe Banks were elected as trustees to assist the president in his absence.  

In June 1995, Bro. Ellis Taylor Jr.,  was elected Vice-President; Sis. Debra McFarland ,  Secretary; Sis. Etta Mae Criswell,   Assistant Secretary; and Bro. Joe Banks, Treasurer.  Bro. Jerome Davis was hired as the caretaker of the cemetery for $100.00 per month.

In June 1996, Bro. Ellis Taylor Jr. resigned as vice-president and Debra McFarland as secretary.  Bro. Joe Banks was elected a vice-president and Sis. Etta Mae Criswell as secretary.

In June 1997, Bro. Conry Turner was elected as president; Bro. Joe Banks, vice-president; Sis. Sherry Mitchell,  secretary; Debra McFarland, assistant secretary and Ellis Taylor Jr., treasurer.  Bro. Jerome Davis served as president for three years (1994-1997).  Under Bro. Turner's administration, our goal is to purchase one acre of land next to New Wensley, work with the county to get an easement to Old Wensley, enforce the $250.00 policy for non-members and update the mailing list to include the young families as well as the older families.  Bro Ellis Taylor Jr. was hired as caretaker of the cemetery for $150.00 per month.
In 1999, all officers were reinstated for a three year period.  Ellis Jefferson was hired as caretaker in 1998 and remained caretaker of the cemetery in 1999.

In 2000 marked a great year with much hard work.  All officers remain the same.  Ellis Jefferson was to remain as the caretaker of the cemetery.  Bro. Jerome Davis cut trees from the cemetery to maintain its upkeep and  beautification.

The year of 2001, the Providence No. I Baptist Church agreed to sale New Wensley Cemetery one acre of land on the South side of the church.   The transaction is pending, due to surveyor problems.

The year (2002) was the 53rd year for the New Wensley Cemetery.   All officers were reinstated for another three year period. Permission was given from Jackie DeShazo to enter through his property to go to the Old Wensley Cemetry.  The committee is continuing to work on the purchase of one acre of land from the Providence No. I Baptist Church.

The year (2003) , the cemetery purchased the one acre of land from the Providence No. I Baptist Church for $2,000.  The officers are continuing to work on fencing the Old Wensley Cemetery. 

The year (2004), we attempted to work on fencing the Old Wensley Cenetery, but we were unable to do that due to the owner not in agreement with proper acreage.  We are working on putting a road in the New Wensley Cemetery. 

In 2005, we begin the work on the road in the cemetery.  We have suffered a great loss this year, Brother Ellis Taylor, Jr., Treasurer, passed away on June 17, 2005.  Brother Ellis Taylor, Jr. had been affiliated with the cemetery since 1988.  He will truly be missed. 

In 2006, the cemetery committee elected Darlene Dewalt to serve as Treasurer for the cemetery, due to the passing of Bro. Ellis Taylor, Jr.  We have come a long way and we say to each of you,  thank you for your support and participation. We are striving to maintain the beautification of New Wensley and with your hard work and continuous support we can succeed.

Bro. Conry Turner resigned as president on July 1, 2006.  Bro. Turner served as president from 1997 to 2006.  Deacon Raymond Criswell was elected as President of the New Wensley Cemetery.

In August, 2007, Deacon Raymond Criswell resigned as president.  Deacon Jerome Davis became President and the office of Vice-President is vacant at this time.

In June, 2008, Deacon Jerry Garrett was elected to served as Vice-President and Ruth Williams as Assistant Secretary.

In April, 2009, the committee voted to purchase a wrought iron fence for the front of the cemetery for upkeep and beautification.  Later in the year, the committee saw the need for some type of seating in the cemetery. 

In June, 2010, the committee purchases benches to place in the cemetery. 

In 2011, three trash containers with lids were purchased, due to an increase in visitation and flowers for loved ones.