John T. Underwood
1854-1925

John T. & Ira Emma Underwood

Biographical Sketch On The Life Of John T. Underwood

The strength of North Alabama churches around the turn of the 20th Century is due greatly to the works of T.B. Larimore through Mars Hill College. In the sixteen years of its running, 1871-1887, there was an unleashing of evangelism that swept the Tennessee Valley area and beyond. One of T.B. Larimore's "boys," as the students were called, is the subject of this sketch.

John T. Underwood entered Mars Hill in 1878 and attended through the 1879-80 school session. These two years of study set him on a course that helped to make churches in Franklin and Colbert Counties, Alabama some of the strongest, and long lasting churches of Christ in that part of the country. According to the brief sketch in Larimore and His Boys, page 163, Brother Underwood worked at Barton, in Colbert County, Alabama. He planted churches around this area for many years. Most of the churches in Franklin And Colbert Counties were small country churches. Even to this day many of those churches still exist. One of these churches, the Spruce Pine Church of Christ, lower Franklin County, holds the cemetery where John T. Underwood and his wife Ira Emma are buried.

His stone bears the inscription that most described his life, "Minister Of The Gospel Of Christ." Many people now in the eternal presence of God, owe much to the teaching of this great old soldier of the cross. Though he died at the end of the first quarter of the 20th century, only eternity itself will bear proof of the good he has done, and still does for the name of Christ. "He being dead, yet speaks."

John T. Underwood And His Horse

Location Of The Grave Of J.T. Underwood

From Birmingham, Alabama - From I-20 take the Arkadelphia Exit, Hwy. 78 toward Memphis. About 45 miles N.W. of Birmingham, in the city of Jasper, Alabama turn north on Hwy 5. Travel 26 miles to Natural Bridge. Cross Hwy 278 at Natural Bridge heading toward Haleyville. When crossing 278, Hwy 5 is joined by Hwy. 13. Ten miles north of Haleyville you will go through Phil Campbell. Just north of Phil Campbell the two lane road will go into a four-lane road. Just as you see that four-lane road you are at mile marker 285. Turn to the first right. (A "Spruce Pine Church of Christ" sign should be at the corner) Note: If you have driven any distance on the four-lane you have gone too far. Turn right off Hwy 13 and go 6/10th miles and turn right across the railroad tracks into the cemetery. Follow the little dirt road around to the the left where you see the church building straight ahead. Look to your left for a tall obelisk. The graves just in front of the obelisk are that of J.T. Underwood and his wife Ira Emma.

From Athens, Alabama - From I-65 in Athens, Alabama take Hwy. 72 west. Go through Florence. In Florence Hwy 72 will be joined by Hwy. 43, and will turn south briefly, crossing the Tennessee River into Sheffield. Follow Hwy. 72/43 through Muscle Shoals. At Tuscumbia Hwy. 72 will turn right toward Corinth. Do not turn right on Hwy. 72 Stay on Hwy 43 south. Go south through Littleville, then through Russellville. About seven or eight miles south of Russellville, you will ascend out of the Tennessee Valley. At the top of this hill, Hwy. 43 will turn to the right. Do not turn right when Hwy. 43 turns. Continue going south on the four lane. A couple miles further signs will show that the divided highway is ending, to go into two lanes. Just as the two-lane road appears to you, turn left off the highway. (A "Spruce Pine Church of Christ" sign should be at the corner) Note: If you have driven any distance on the two-lane you have gone too far. Turn left off Hwy 13 and go 6/10th miles and turn right across the railroad tracks into the cemetery. Follow the little dirt road around to the the left where you see the church building straight ahead. Look to your left for a tall obelisk. The graves just in front of the obelisk are that of J.T. Underwood and his wife Ira Emma.

Spruce Pine Church of Christ