The oldest known burials in Moran Cemetery are James Henderson Moran the first (1796-1843) and his wife Harriet Harris Moran (1813-1848). The Moran's were early settlers in Weakley County Tennessee. The cemetery land originally belonged to Benjamin Dabney Irvine (1832-1916) a well-to-do citizen of Dresden TN who married Agnes Marion Moran (1838-1932), a daughter of James H and Harriet Moran.

In May, 1894, B.D. Irvine, "in consideration of the love and affection I have for the heirs of James H. Moran Sr.", deeded in perpetuity the tract of land that was originally known as The Moran Burying Ground but later became Moran Cemetery. The Cemetery became part of the estate of John Williamson Moran (1840-1912), son of James H Moran and the brother of Agnes Moran Irvine and is still owned by Moran heirs to this day.

If you visit Moran Cemetery you'll see that one section is bounded by a concrete fence. This is where the Moran's and their relatives are interred. Adjacent to that is another section which is surrounded by a chain link fence. This section, while owned by the Moran family, was set aside by John Williamson Moran for other families in the area who needed a place to be bury loved ones.

Together, the two separate sections comprise the Moran Cemetery.