Homer Howell Royster
1901-1982
1930 Treasure Chest
The Life of H.H. Royster
Homer Howell Royster was born in Dukedom, Weakley County, Tennessee on November 21, 1901. He was the son of George Washington Royster (1865-1942) and Fannie Baron Royster (1870-1958).
He grew up in the old Oak Grove Church of Christ in Weakley County, Tennessee. This great old congregation released several young men upon the world to win the lost to Christ, including: Tom Cabe, A.O. Colley, Charlie Stubblefield, Lester Colley, Murrell Moody, H. H. Royster, Paul Colley, Bill Cannon and James Cannon.
He was married to Elsie Bell Seay November 29, 1924. They had a son named Hilton Howell, October 24, 1934, who grew up to follow in his father’s footsteps as a preacher of the gospel.
Freed-Hardeman College was the school of choice for Homer Royster. While there he honed his skills in preaching as well as singing. He had a good singing voice, and often led the singing in Gospel Meetings and other gatherings. At times he advertised in the Gospel Advocate that he was available to lead singing for different preachers in their meetings.
H.H. worked for some time with the church in Troy, Tennessee from 1936-1037. Then he was in Tiptonville, Tennessee from 1942-1943. For some time he lived and worked for the church in Waverly, Tennessee from 1942-1943. He returned to Tiptonville in 1951 and stayed until 1955. Then it was to Camden, Tennessee for a few years from 1955. Other works included Cleveland, and later at Obion, Tennessee. As noted, he was such a capable song leader that he was noted for his singing schools, doing song drills for congregations, and helping the church at large to better prepare for the singing portion of church worship.
Brother Homer Royster passed from this life February, 1982. He was laid to rest in the Royster Family Plot in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Dukedom.
-Scott Harp, 03.19.2020
Gospel Meeting Advertisement
Statesville Daily Record, (North Carolina) Wednesday, October 17, 1951, page 11
Newspaper Bible Lesson From Homer Royster
The Tennessean, Nashville, TN, Tuesday, February 21, 1950 p.13
Directions To Grave
Homer and Elsie Royston are buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery. From Jackson, in West Tennessee, take I-40 to Exit #80 and head north on Hwy. 45E. Go through Medina and Milan on 45E. At Greenfield, take Hwy. 54 to Dresden. Go North out of Dresden on Hwy. 118 for 14.8 miles and when you come to the Kentucky State Line, turn left on Hwy. 129. Go 2.2 miles and the church and cemetery will be on your left. Go into the center drive of the cemetery. Head near mid-way of the road and begin looking to the right. About midway look for the Royston Family Plot. Also buried in the cemetery are other preachers, Bill Cannon, C.A. Colley, J.S. Jones, & J.E. Choate. The trip is right at 67 miles from Jackson.
GPS Location
36°30'05.9"N 88°45'23.5"W
36.501645, -88.756533
ROYSTER
George W. - 1865 - 1942
Fannie B. - 1870 - 1958
ROYSTER
Homer H. - 1901 - 1982
Elsie B. - 1907 - 1986
Photos Taken 02.13.2020
Webpage produced 03.19.2020
Courtesy Of Scott Harp
www.TheRestorationMovement.com
