03 APR 2010

Located just off I-75 (Exit 135) and next to the Fair Harbor RV Park, which is located at 515 Marshallville Road.

The sign in front of the church clearly states: "MARTHAN BAPTIST CHURCH".

DEC 2010

Via the Perry Chamber of Commerce I have contacted the Watson Hunt Funeral Home who put me in touch with the owner of this cemetery, Charles "Buddy" Andrew. Via a telephone conversation Mr. Andrew clearly stated that the name of this cemetery, located next to Fair Harbor RV Park and behind "Martha Ann (Marthan) Baptist Church" is actually named:

"REST HAVEN MEMORIAL GARDEN"

31 JAN 2011

Mr. Ron James Ezell (Big E) resides in this area and is professionally associated with Richardson Funeral Home. He has provided additional information regarding this site.

The following is an excerpt from an E-mail I received from Mr. Ezell today (Thank you for all of your help Big E!):

"As for the names... the church is Martha Ann Baptist and the graveyard immediately to its rear and side is Martha Ann Cemetery. The yards are separated by some tall cedar trees and that cemetery is Rest Haven Memorial Garden. It is confusing to locals as well. Basically, if the grave slab is on top of the ground with an upright headstone, it is Martha Ann and if it is just a gravestone lying flat on the ground its Rest Haven."

Mr. Ezell has also identified the initials that appear on some of the stones (lower right):

GFH = Glover Funeral Home

BG = Bobby E Glover Mortuary

R = Richardson Funeral Home

19 FEB 2011

Stayed this night at the Fair Harbor RV Park and inquired about the church name at the Park Office. In the local phone book it is listed as "MARTHANN BAPTIST CHURCH" (one word with two "N"s). The man at the counter clearly pronounced it "Martha Ann". Seeing my confusion, he smiled and said "You ain't from around here are ya?"...

Nope, I'm not... but now I get it: whether spelled "Marthan" or "Marthann" it is PRONOUNCED "Martha Ann" around here!