322 N.E. Beltline Rd.
On Beltline Rd. north of Main Street. Going north, just before Oak Street turn east into a drive that angles to the right. The cemetery is in the northeast corner of the empty building lot. It is fenced but the gate is unlocked.
Small-Upchurch is listed as a Significant Landmark (Site Medallion #13) by the Grand Prairie Historial Commission.
This cemetery was recorded and photographed by Lynn and Regina Shumaker during March, 2010. Click on an image to view larger.
History recorded by Pam Knight and Sharon Wilson:
The Grand Prairie Reporter ran an article in August of 2008 that sited Small-Upchurch Cemetery as the focus for 16 year old Austin Tembrook's community service project to achieve the highest rank in Scouting, Eagle Scout. Tembrook worked through the Keep Grand Prairie Beautiful program for the Adopt a Cemetery Project to restore the cemetery.
There are 6 headstones in this cemetery. There was a 7th stone but all that remains of it is a small corner. The 7th stone is believed to be that of Nema Small, daughter of Shadrick “Sam” and Nancy Jane (nee Upchurch) Small. According to the Texas Death Certificate (#6766) Nema was 14 and died of meningitis. Her birth date was in August, 1897 and she died on March 13, 1912. The death certificate indicates she is buried in “family cemetery”.
According to research and a map of Dallas County, Sam Small owned and farmed the land around the current cemetery although exact location of the land has been difficult to confirm.
Sam Small first appears in Grand Prairie in a notation in the local newspaper on November 20, 1908. The note reads “Mr. Sam Small is moving this week into his new $5,000 residence, which has just been completed.” Sam is the son of George and Naomi (nee Steed) Small and was born in Tennessee.
It has not been confirmed if Sam’s brothers: G. W.; Hardy P.; and John are actually buried in this cemetery or if the large stone with the 3 names and dates is a memoriam to them. On the 1880 U.S. Federal Census the brothers appear with a sister, “Mattie” and all are single. They are residing in Lincoln County, Tennessee.
James A. Upchurch and Elizabeth “Eliza” J., (nee Jordan) Upchurch, the parents of Nancy Jane “Nannie” Small are also buried in this cemetery.
