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The Bedford Cemetery is located on the north side of Bedford Road, just east of Central Drive behind the strip shopping center on the corner. This cemetery is managed by the Bedford Cemetery Association.
Pioneers probably began using this graveyard during the 1860's. Earliest marked grave is that of Elizabeth White Bobo, (1860-1877) whose parents came her in 1870 from Bedford County, Tenn. In 1877 Milton Moore deeded a five acre tract including this cemetery, to New Hope Church Of Christ, now the Bedford Church Of Christ. The Bedford Old Settlers Reunion met here annually for over 50 years. W. L. Hurst, (1860-1923) for whom nearby Hurst is named, is interred here. In 1975 the Bedford Cemetery Association acquired the site. Many Bedford pioneers are buried here in unmarked graves. The Bedford Cemetery is the oldest existing historical landmark in the city of Bedford. It covers an area of one and one half acres. The oldest surviving gravestone marks the grave of Elizabeth White Bobo who died on February 2, 1871. Elizabeth was the daughter of Weldon Wiles Bobo, and early Bedford pioneer and community leader. At one time, Mr. Bobo served as the towns postmaster. In 1877, he gained authority to open a post office which he operated from the front part of his house. Weldon Wiles Bobo and other members of his family are also buried in the cemetery. Milton Moore who initially owned the cemetery property is also buried there. Mr. Moore sold the property to the New Hope Christian Church which became and still is the Bedford Church of Christ. The church sits next to the cemetery. The cemetery property belonged to the church until 1975 at which time it was deeded to a cemetery association. There are approximately 500 people buried in the cemetery in marked graves and many more in unmarked graves. Many pioneers are buried in unmarked graves. Among the pioneers buried in the cemetery is William Letchworth Hurst for whom the City of Hurst is named. Also buried in the cemetery is Walter Fitch who was Postmaster of Bedford in the 1940's and 1950's. For over 50 years the cemetery was used as the site for an annual Bedford Settlers Reunion. These gatherings included such activities as baseball games and fiddling contests. At times these reunions were attended by 200 to 300 people. The last Bedford Settlers Reunion was held in the 1969. You can learn more about the history of the Bedford Cemetery at www.genquest.com/oldbedfordcemetery.htm . The research for the material at this site was developed and is maintained by Michael Patterson.
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Bedford
Cemetery