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Below is a diagram of the approximate layout (not to scale) of the graves in Tunnel Ridge Cemetery, located on the top of a narrow ridge off Piney Branch Road between Calloway and Livingston. From the cemetery in the winter, one can up U.S. 25 to the Calloway Church. Following the diagram are details of the marked graves. There are an estimated 89 graves—11 marked, 79 unmarked (the unmarked graves sometimes have fieldstones, sometimes there is just a depression in the ground). The cemetery is in poor condition, overgrown, and has obviously been neglected for many years. It's one of the worst I have ever seen. It was probably beginning to show signs of deterioration in 1966 when the last known burial occurred. The left fifth of the cemetery has been better cared for than the rest.  1. John S. Adams, 1911–1966 (temporary Reese Funeral Home metal marker). Mary Renner Branson’s (daughter of John Renner) son-in-law. 2. Russell Jones, 1924–1929. Son of Leonard Jones and Roxie Arnold (daughter of J.L. Arnold and Polly Griffin). 3. J. D. Moore, 22 Dec 1929–19 Mar 1931. Son of Annie Mae Renner Moore (granddaughter John Renner through Andrew Renner) 4. Martha B. Smith “Wife”, died 19 Mar 1947, age about 78 years. Daughter of John Renner 5. James A. Mason, 1880–1937. Husband of Alice Renner (daughter of John Renner). 6. Henry S. Mason, 1877–1923. Perhaps brother of James A. Mason. 7. James W. McClure, 28 Mar 1903–25 Jan 1941. He and his grandparents, James “Wash” and Matilda Price McClure lived near John Renner in 1920. James W. McClure was the son of Andrew McKinney and Martha E. McClure. He was killed in a quarry accident inBerea. 8. Ruby Jean Ray, 17 Dec 1832–13 Dec 1937. 9. Ruby Jones, b. and d. 1926. Daughter of Leonard Jones and Roxie Arnold (see #2 above). 10. Lulie Renner, dau. of J.W. & S. Renner, 14 Apr 1888–1 Nov 1893. Daughter of John and Sidney Arnold Renner. 11. Emma Arnold, wife of John Jones, 11 Feb 1846–12 Feb 1926. Full name: Rachel Emaline Arnold Jones. Daughter of Andrew and Cynthia Storm Arnold, sister to Sidney Arnold Renner. Her husband, John Jones, is buried in the Walnut Grove Cemetery. According to various family members, John W. Renner (son of Westerfield Renner and Maranda Mize) and Sidney Arnold Renner (daughter of Andrew Arnold and Cynthia Storm) are buried at Tunnel Ridge in two of the now-unmarked graves, most likely near Lulie's (#10). Sidney’s obituary in the Mt. Vernon Signal, 8 Feb 1818 says, in part: “She was laid to rest Sunday at the family burying ground near Livingston to await the call of her master.” Sidney died 2 Feb 1918. The property adjacent to the cemetery was owned by Sallie Arnold in the late 1800s and Phil Branson (who was married to Mary Elizabeth Renner, Martha B. Renner Smith’s sister) in the 1910s. Sallie (also called Sarah) sold adjacent property to siblings J.L. Arnold, Emma Jones, and Sidney Renner on 15 Sept 1901, in keeping with the wishes of her father, Andrew. If, as it seems, Tunnel Ridge was the family cemetery, the following people may be buried there: • Lysander “Sanders” Ball (1st husband of Martha B. Renner) • Crit Smith (2nd husband of Martha B. Renner Ball Smith) • Andrew and Cynthia Storm Arnold (It appears from a marriage record that both were alive in 1888 and living near the cemetery) • Sallie Arnold • Phil and Mary Elizabeth Renner Branson • John M. Mize (who was a longtime friend and uncle of John Renner and who lived near the Renner, Mason, and McClure families between Calloway and Livingston in 1920) • Mary Francis Bustle Mize (wife of John M. Mize; she died about the same time as Sidney Arnold Renner) • Lina Suttles Renner (wife of Robert Renner, John’s son) • Daniel and Mary Renner Southard (John Renner’s sister and brother-in-law; lived between Calloway and Livingston, one house away from John M. Mize in 1920) • Catherine Renner (widow of Henry T. Renner, John’s brother; lived two houses away from the Southards in 1920) There are probably also children, especially infant children, of the above-mentioned families buried at Tunnel Ridge. |
