Ownby Cemetery in the Greenbrier region of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Ownby Cemetery is located .8 mile down the Porters Creek Trail. Parking for the trail is at the end of Greenbrier Road. See the Greenbrier Region web page for an interactive location map.
The Ownbys and Whaleys were the first families to settle the Greenbrier region of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Members of both families, along with others who lived in the area, are buried in this cemetery. The cemetery gets its name from Joel Ownby, who lived from 1836 to 1909, making him one of the early settlers who came to Greenbrier. Keep in mind that many of the cemetery names were coined after the park was established, so the current names may not the names the original families used, if they used a name at all. As a result, it is not uncommon for cemeteries in the park to be referenced by multiple names.
The following are photos from some of the graves.
Grave of Union soldier David Proffitt in the Ownby Cemetery, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Grave of infant Mary Whaley in the Ownby Cemetery, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Ownby Cemetery in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Grave of infant Roy Ownby in the Ownby Cemetery, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Grave of Hettie Martin (4/12/1878 to 12/10/1903) in the Ownby Cemetery, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
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Last updated on February 17, 2025
