Jasper Sylvester Acuff
1841-1893
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Gospel Advocate Obituary For Jasper S. Acuff
Brother Jasper S. Acuff departed this life at his home in Spencer, Tenn., Oct. 15, 1893, in his fifty-third year. Brother Acuff obeyed the gospel in his sixteenth year, and had been preaching about twenty-three years. He has done a good work in this section of country in bringing many souls to Christ. He was an able and earnest preacher of the gospel, and contended earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints, and believed and taught that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth. He had a large family to support, and this prevented him from devoting all his time to preaching. He often had to stop preaching and teach school, or engage in some other avocation, to relieve the pressing wants of his family. He made use of every opportunity to present Jesus as the Savior to a dying world. His loss will be greatly felt through this mountain country, where he labored so successfully, and was so well known, and beloved by all. Truly, a father in Israel has passed away. Brother Acuff was united in marriage to Sister N. I. Billingsley, Aug. 17, 1865, and their union was blessed with seven children. All of the children survive him except one, and all are members of the Church of Christ. It is natural for the devoted wife and children to feel their great loss more than any others, but they mourn not as those having no hope, for they believe they will meet the dear husband and father again in the better land, were there will be no more death or parting. His protracted sickness was borne with Christian patience, and not a murmur was uttered by him. At his request the brethren and sisters assembled at his house, and with him commemorated the death of the Savior. When he was told that he must die, he expressed only regret of having to leave his dear family. His great desire, as often expressed, was to leave a godly example in his life for his children to follow, rather than worldly possessions. Peacefully this faithful servant of the Lord passed away. It is written: "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them."
-O. F. Young, Gospel Advocate, November 30, 1893, page 766.
Meeting Advertisement
Southern Standard, McMinnville, Tennessee, Saturday June 13, 1891, p.1
Directions To The Grave of J.S. Acuff
J.S. Acuff is buried in the old city cemetery at Spencer, Tennessee. Spencer is a beautiful old community on the top of a mountain in the hills of central Tennessee. To get there from Chattanooga, take I-24 travel west toward Nashville. After crossing Monteagle, take the Manchester exit, Hwy 55 and travel east toward McMinnville. Just east of McMinnville take Hwy.30 toward Spencer. In Spencer you come in behind the Van Buren County Courthouse on Hwy. 30. The road will wind around the front of the courthouse. Just as you pass it make the first left on Sparta St. Go to the third street on the right and turn right on Faye St. This street will come into the cemetery. Go into the cemetery and begin going up the hill. You will see the large stone to W.N. Billingsley on the left. Just to the left of the Billingsley monument is the Acuff plot. Note that W.D. Carnes grave is further to the left and up the hill from Billingsley's grave. GPS Location of the grave: 35.749409,-85.462395 / Use photos below to help locate the grave.
Jasper S. Acuff
Born August 19, 1841
Died October 18, 1893
Photos Taken 05.13.2013
Page Produced 08.15.2013
Courtesy of Scott Harp
www.TheRestorationMovement.com
Note: The photos on this site were taken during a Restoration Movement trip through the Tennessee Valley in May, 2013 with students from Southeast Institute Of Biblical Studies. Also with you webeditor was Tom L. Childers.
