RootsandBranches

RootsandBranches Genealogist | 20+ yrs exp | Family Historian| Use
Roots10 at gravestonecleaner.com

Proud member of GraveGeeks

06/08/2026

This is the grave of Emerson Pearl Huggard Jr.

Born on May 23, 1895, in Midland County, Michigan, Emerson was the eldest child of Emerson Everly Huggard and Ada Mae Bell.Growing up in a large family, he was the big brother to Ina Mae, Clifford James, Clarence Leroy, Harry Wilber, Beulah Wave, Cecil Orely, Ruby Belle, Opal Elva, and Chester Arthur Huggard

Like so many young men of his generation, Emerson was drafted during World War I. On November 24, 1930, he married Fern Kelly Welch in Midland, Michigan, beginning a new chapter in his life.

Emerson spent much of his life in Michigan. After living in the Midland area, he moved to Flint, where he was employed by Buick Motors from 1929 until 1948. He later returned to Midland and entered the real estate profession, first working as a salesman for Fred Minzer. He eventually became self-employed, conducting real estate business in both Flint and Midland.

Emerson spent much of his lite in Michigan. After living in the Midland area, he moved to Flint, where he was employed by Buick Motors from 1929 until 1948. He later returned to Midland and entered the real estate profession, first working as a salesman for Fred Minzer. He eventually became self-employed, conducting real estate business in both Flint and Midland.

Emerson lived through nearly eight decades of American history, witnessing tremendous changes in transportation, industry, and society. He passed away on May 19, 1973, in Owosso, Michigan, just days before what would have been his 78th birthday.

Today, he rests beside his wife and her family in Homer Township Cemetery. His story is one of service, hard work, family, and a life deeply connected to the communities of Midland and Flint.

Every headstone has a story. This was Emerson’s.

I’m incredibly excited to share that my new signs are finally here, and I was able to pick them up today!These signs are...
06/06/2026

I’m incredibly excited to share that my new signs are finally here, and I was able to pick them up today!

These signs are more than just advertisements—they’re an opportunity to connect with people, spark conversations about cemetery preservation, and help others learn how to properly care for and preserve historic headstones.

I’m looking forward to seeing how people respond and hopefully reaching more individuals who share a passion for preserving our history, one gravestone at a time. Every headstone tells a story, and education is one of the best ways we can ensure those stories continue to be remembered for generations to come.

06/05/2026

This is the grave of James Albert Varney Sr. and his wife, Nancy Louise “Louise” Howard Varney, buried together in Lexington Cemetery in Lexington, Kentucky.
James was born on January 1, 1910, in Wise County, Virginia, to Andrew Jackson Varney and Rena Nickels. He was one of ten children, growing up alongside his sisters Roxie Ann, Hazel, Cecelia Othell, Mae, Bessie Iona, Myrtle Marie, and Lillian C., as well as his brother Samuel Fletcher Varney. Louise was born just over three years later, on January 14, 1913, in Lexington, Kentucky, to James Howard and Anna Belle Combs. She was the youngest of five children, following her siblings Everett Beckham, Sallie D., Nora Mae, and Nannie B. Howard.

By 1930, James had moved with his family to Magnolia in Mingo County, West Virginia. That November, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and eventually sailed to Hawai’i. On July 18, 1938, he married Louise Howard in Maysville, Kentucky. Within a year, the newlyweds were building their life together in Lexington, where Louise had spent much of her childhood.

Together, James and Louise raised four children: Jo Gail, Sandra L., a younger daughter who sadly I couldn’t find anything on as she might still be alive, and their son James Albert Varney Jr.—better known to millions as comedian and actor Jim Varney, the beloved face behind Ernest P. Worrell.

James lived a long and remarkable life, passing away on January 11, 1985, at the age of 75. Louise survived him by nearly a decade, passing away on August 22, 1994, at the age of 81.

Today, they rest side by side in Lexington Cemetery—a husband and wife whose story spans the mountains of Virginia, the hills of West Virginia, and the heart of Kentucky. Their legacy lives on not only through their descendants, but also through a son whose face and voice became familiar to millions of Americans.

Every gravestone tells a story. This one is a story of family, service, perseverance, and generations whose lives continue to be remembered long after they are gone.

06/02/2026

Helping at Soapstone Church in South Carolina while using D2BiologicalSolution

One of the most rewarding experiences I've had was recently traveling to South Carolina to assist two historic churches ...
06/02/2026

One of the most rewarding experiences I've had was recently traveling to South Carolina to assist two historic churches in preserving their cemeteries and the stories of those laid to rest within them.

My first stop was Soapstone Baptist Church, where I had the privilege of helping clean and preserve graves in their historic slave cemetery. It was a humbling experience to work among the final resting places of individuals whose lives and stories deserve to be remembered and honored. I was also able to assist with preserving several headstones in the church's main cemetery.

While there, I had the honor of meeting Mrs. Mable Owens Clarke, a Deacon of Soapstone Baptist Church. Hearing her family's history and learning more about the community's deep roots made the experience even more meaningful.

I was then invited to help at Soapstone's sister church, Mount Nebo Baptist Church, where I continued cleaning and preserving headstones to help ensure these important pieces of history remain visible for future generations. Among the graves I was able to preserve was that of Mrs. Clarke's great-grandmother, a woman who was born into slavery. Restoring her headstone was a powerful reminder of why cemetery preservation matters—not only to protect the stone itself, but to preserve the memory, legacy, and history of those who came before us.

These cemeteries are more than burial grounds; they are open-air museums filled with stories waiting to be told. It was an incredible privilege to play a small role in helping safeguard that history for generations to come.

The photos below show some of the remarkable results from the Soapstone Baptist Church slave cemetery. The "before" photographs were taken during my first visit to the cemetery on June 5, 2022. The "after" photographs were taken on May 28, 2026, just two weeks after the headstones were cleaned using D/2 Biological Solution. The transformation highlights not only the effectiveness of proper preservation methods but also the importance of ongoing cemetery conservation efforts to reveal and protect the history recorded on these stones.

Had the opportunity to clean some family stones yesterday!! David J and Sarah are my 3rd Great-GrandparentsLeo D Best an...
06/02/2026

Had the opportunity to clean some family stones yesterday!!
David J and Sarah are my 3rd Great-Grandparents
Leo D Best and his wife Amy are my 2nd Great-Granduncle and aunt
Lyman Best is my 3rd Great-Granduncle

It’s crazy what a month can do on a stone! Couldn’t even read them before and now you can see almost every detail!! It’s...
05/31/2026

It’s crazy what a month can do on a stone! Couldn’t even read them before and now you can see almost every detail!! It’s just going to get better over time! is some truly amazing stuff!

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