Person:Raymond Cleveland (1)

Raymond was born January 28, 1908 in Corinth, Alcorn county, Mississippi. Occupation was Carpenter and construction worker, he built locks and dams throughout the Delta region of the South. Raymond married Myrtle Stark August 26, 1933 in Cherry Valley, Cross county, Arkansas. They had 6 children, 4 girls and 2 boys. Raymond and Myrtle seperated about 1957 or 1958.

Raymond married a second time to Hazel Virginia Hollis on February 13, 1959 in Lake Village, Chicot county, Arkansas. There was a state issued marriage license and a wedding ceremony for this union but the children of his first marriage say Raymond never recieved a divorce from Myrtle before marring Hazel. It is not known if a divorce was granted or not. One child was born of this second marriage.

Raymond died on the morning of June 25, 1965.

Raymond suffered from horrific headaches, which could be the result of either the brain tumor he had or the steel plate he had in his head, a result of a construction site accident many years before. Probably both. After several days of unceasing agony, Raymond could no longer stand the increasing pain. In search of release, he took his own life. He placed the barrel of a gun into his mouth and willfully pulled the trigger.

That same afternnon, a distraught and heartbroken family began the unpleasant task of arranging the details for Raymonds burial. He had made is wishes known as to where he wanted to be interned. The cemetery he had choosen was on a long winding country road in Dallas county, Arkansas. This cemetery is not easliy found if you are not familiar with the area. The funeral home asked that someone lead the site preparers to the desired location. Hazel wanted to do this herself.

Hazel and her little brother left for the cemetery with the site preparers following them. Hazel never saw the speeding car racing down the median. The impact was on the driver door. Paul, Hazel's brother, was thrown from the car and suffered serious bruising and cuts, his teeth were knocked out in the impact. He was the lucky one.

Hazel was dragged along the pavement until her foot was torn loose and her body fell under the car. The rear wheels ran across her chest and upper abdomen. Hazel was pregnant with twin boys at this time. According to the attending doctor, Hazel's upper body was ground like hamburger. He said pure willpower was what was keeping her alive.

Charles Henderson, the drunk in the other car, was not injured. This was not his first accident where he was not injured. It was also not the first accident he caused by being drunk and driving.

Charles Henderson spent the night in jail and was out drinking again the next day. Hazel was dying. She lived 3 days, leaving two small children orphaned.

Raymond and Hazel were buried side by side in that little country cemetery they had both loved. 3 months later, the children of Raymonds first marriage had his body exhumed and moved to Cherry Valley, Cross county, Arkansas.

Raymond had said on numerous occasions that he would rather "Die and Rot in Hell than go back to Cherry Valley". His marker still rests beside Hazel.

I am Raymond and Hazel's child.