Caretakers of The Bend Cemetery

  • Tony L. Carr

    Tony L. Carr is a historian, professor, and an academic researcher who is a blood relative of many persons buried in The Bend Cemetery. Tony is a descendant of The Honorable Giles (or Silas) Cotton, and his daughter, Mary Ann (nee Cotton) Echols who were first brought into Robertson County, Texas in 1837 then moved into present day Limestone County in 1842. Tony is also great grandson of Hattie Pinkard, as well as a grand nephew of Winkfield Pinkard, Wood Pinkard, and Warren Pinkard, three men who served in the U.S. Colored Troops during the U.S. Civil War.

  • Warren Britton

    Warren Britton

    Warren Britton is a descendant of the first Black families of Limestone County, Texas who were first brought into Robertson County, Texas in 1837 then moved into present day Limestone County in 1842. Warren is a descendant of Winkfield Pinkard, a soldier in the U.S. Colored Troops during the U.S. Civil War. He is a grand nephew of Warren Pinkard who served in the U.S. Civil War. Warren B. helps operate the historic Lee Pinkard Farm that was started by his great grandparents, Berryman Lee & Mary Edna (nee Kelley) Pinkard, both of whom are interred in The Bend Cemetery.

  • Les Hollie, Sr.

    Les Hollie descends from the first Black families of Limestone County, Texas who were first brought into Robertson County, Texas in 1837 then moved into present day Limestone County in 1842. Les is a great grandson of Chance Kelley and his wife, Caroline (nee Conner) (Kelley) Freeman, the parents of Mary Edna (nee Kelley) Pinkard. Mary Edna and her husband Berryman Lee Pinkard are interred in the Bend Cemetery. Les is also a descendant of Winkfield Pinkard, a soldier in the U.S Colored Troops during the U.S. Civil War.

  • Walter F. Briscoe

    Walter F. Briscoe

    Walter F. Briscoe is a Historian and Caretaker Emeritus for The Bend Cemetery. Walter is a descendant of Miles Kelley and his grandson, Files Frederick Kelley. Walter was raised by Robert S. Briscoe and wife, Katherine Hobbs Briscoe in the Sandy Community. Walter was instrumental in the effort to register The Bend Cemetery with the county and state, and in securing the Texas Historic Cemetery designation.