HICKS FAMILY CEMETERY OF CARROLL COUNTY, MISSOURI

James E. Powers, locally know as “Possum Seeks” was the last to be buried in Hicks Family Cemetery. The 1966 funeral service was held by Rev. Bruce Trussell, the young preacher of Coloma Church.

Forty eight years later, in mid October 2014, Rev. Trussell and his wife, Evelyn, where my guides in the adventure of trying to locate Hicks Family Cemetery.

A cell telephone call to the owners of the farm, Mr. & Mrs. Garber, gave their approval and directions for locating the cemetery.

The small fenced cemetery was situated somewhere within a large acreage enrolled in the CRP (Conservation Reserve Program). This large field was a wilderness of under brush, native grass and multi-flora rose that had grown taller than the hood of the Trussell’s newly washed 4-wheel-drive Ford pick-up. The height of the underbrush limited the visibility to just a few yards. We listened to the scratching sounds of brush removing the finish from the sides of the navy blue pick-up. The fall rains had left the ditches and low areas in the field wet and muddy---certainly areas to be avoided.

An adventure it was. The treasure of the day was the memories stored up by a young preacher 48 years ago. Rev. Trussell recalled the following:
*James E. Powers was called “Possum Seeks” by those who knew him.
*The small gathering of those attending the funeral were loaded onto a wooden hay-frame wagon.
*A tractor pulled the loaded wagon down the lane, across the field and up a small rise to where a fence encircled the ancestors of “Possum Seeks.”

The small fenced cemetery eventually was located. The first headstone that we saw was that of James E. Powers.

At this time, The Hicks Family Cemetery is neglected. The poison ivy and thistles abound, trees have fallen down, and yucca has multiplied.

Although Missouri Death Certificates list the cemetery as Powers/Hicks, Hicks/Powers, Powers Family, and Hicks Family; most all the interred are relatives of Henry and Elizabeth Hicks. Therefore, we have continued the name Hicks Family Cemetery. There is a second reason for the choice, to avoid confusion with Powers Cemetery, which is also located in Carroll County, Missouri.

On January 3, 2015 I received a wonderful email from findagrave contributor #48623437:

“In the 1980's-90's there was once a sign with the Hick's name on it. It is long gone as well as the caretakers of the cemetery mostly the McCracken family took care of it. I have many stories from my grandfather and his cousins about this land that belonged to the Powers.' The Powers family is also buried in the cemetery along with their Hick's cousins also a few non-family members. I also know as long as their are Powers descendants we have the right to access Garber's farm to visit the cemetery…..Do you know of the men you are looking for if they had nicknames? I know many stories from my grandfather and the people all had nicknames. A cousin "Cockle-burr" ended up marrying in France during WWII and has family there.”

Do ask permission to cross private property.

Directions: From Carrollton, Missouri travel Highway 65 North to Highway J toward Hale, which is a right hand turn. Within 3 miles, Hicks Family Cemetery will be on the right approximately a quarter mile off the road. Hicks Family Cemetery is not visible from the road. There is no sign.

The global coordinates are: 39º 35’ 47” N and 93º 27’ 14” W.

Bonnie Shirley Amery