OLD COAL BANK CEMETERY commonly referred to as the ROCK CREEK CEMETERY and/or the TURNER CEMETERY.

The Old Coal Bank Cemetery is located in SE 1/4 Section 22, Crab Orchard Township. This cemetery is located approximately 1/4 mile due east of the Coal Bank Springs Baptist Church and is accessible by proceeding south on Dykersburg Road, past the church and the cemetery located on the south side of the church to the Old Delta Mine Road. Turn East on the Old Delta Mine Road and proceed approximately 1/4 mile. There will be a path on your left hand side that will take you back to the cemetery. This cemetery is periodically maintained, but done so by volunteers and family descendants.

The exact legal description for the Old Coal Bank Cemetery(Rock Spring/Turner) is: PT NE BEING E165 OF W825 OF N 181.5 OF S214.5 CEMETERY 31-373 1-1891. This information is ascertained through the Williamson County, Illinois, Land Records. The parcel number for this old cemetery is: 08-22-400-005. The Cemetery is one of the three cemeteries that are associated with and deeded to the Coal Bank Springs Baptist Church. The three cemeteries are: 1) Coal Bank Springs Cemetery, the old part located directly behind the present church facility; 2) Coal Bank Springs Cemetery, the new part located directly south of the church facility; and 3) The Old Coal Bank Cemetery commonly referred to as the Rock Creek or Turner Cemetery located 1/4 mile directly east of the existing church facility.

This cemetery has been more recently periodically maintained, but done so by volunteers and family descendants. If you are discouraged or encouraged by the appearance, please understand that as a descendant or one that may be directly related, that it is your responsibility to care for your beloved. Your assistance would be welcomed and appreciated by those that have been memorialized here.

The first 35 years of records that pertain to the Coal Bank Springs Baptist Church were destroyed by fire. However, the history passed down by word of mouth, indicates that Coal Bank Springs Baptist Church as it is known as today, first took on this name in the year 1865 by the church. Prior to this the Coal Bank Springs Baptist Church or its core was called the Rock Springs Baptist Church (1845-1865) first having services as early as 1845. The Turner family were some of the early members of these churches, thus why some refer to this cemetery as the Old Coal Bank Cemetery, Rock Creek Cemetery, or the Turner Cemetery. In researching death records, one may encounter any of these three names written upon the death certificates.

THERE WERE 20 UNIDENTIFIED SAND STONES LOCATED IN THIS CEMETERY WHEN IT WAS SURVEYED IN 1995.