Author seeks contributions for new book on Gibson Bayou Church

Earle native to write the definitive history of historic church

By DONALD WILBURN

donaldfwilburn@gmail.com

Clyde Goodbar, an Earle native and author of several books, is embarking on a new historical project and seeking assistance from those with personal connections to Gibson Bayou Church and Cemetery. Goodbar, a seasoned writer and artist, aims to document the rich history of the church and cemetery that has played a pivotal role in his life and the lives of many others since its founding in 1869. The forthcoming book, titled The Talk of Gibson Bayou, will offer a comprehensive look at the church’s history, its community impact, and the many stories intertwined with this sacred ground.

Goodbar, who was born just 20 days before the bombing of Pearl Harbor in December 1941, recalls the church being a constant presence in his life. As a child, he developed

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Goodbar sits next to the Carroll Cloar painting that inspired his 2023 book on a family mystery.

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a deep connection to the church and its surrounding cemetery, which holds the remains of countless generations, including notable figures like Carroll Cloar, a renowned artist born in Earle in 1913. Cloar’s ashes were scattered over the cemetery grounds following his death in 1993, cementing his legacy as one of the most prominent figures associated with Gibson Bayou.

In a recent interview, Goodbar explained his motivation for the project: “As far back as I can remember, there was always Gibson Bayou Church and Cemetery. It’s only natural that I should memorialize the church that’s been an integral part of my life by writing a history of it.”

Goodbar’s connection to the church goes beyond personal sentiment. He is eager to ensure the history of the church and cemetery is preserved for future generations. He has requested that anyone who has a unique story, memory, or historical detail about the church or cemetery to contribute to the project. He is specifically seeking personal anecdotes, historical information, and remembrances of loved ones buried there to enrich the narrative of the site’s importance to the community.

A storied past: Carroll Cloar and a family mystery

Clyde Goodbar’s connection to Gibson Bayou is intertwined with his family’s history and that of Carroll Cloar, a celebrated mid-20th-century artist. Cloar, whose work often depicted surrealist interpretations of Southern life, was a childhood friend of Goodbar’s father. A significant moment in Goodbar’s life came in 2013 when he attended an exhibit commemorating the 100th anniversary of Cloar’s birth at the Brooks Museum of Art in Memphis.

At the exhibit, Goodbar saw a painting he had first encountered in 1977 – Cloar’s 1962 piece titled Joe Goodbody’s Terrible Ordeal. The painting, owned by Pitt Hyde, the founder of AutoZone and part owner of the Memphis Grizzlies, depicts a man running into a field, seemingly pursued by butterflies. While the name differs slightly, Goodbar has no doubt that the painting is a depiction of his grandfather, Joe Goodbar, on the night he mysteriously disappeared in 1920.

This discovery set Goodbar on a path of personal investigation, which ultimately culminated in the writing of his book Whatever Happened to Mr. Goodbar?, published in 2023. The book delves into the mystery of his grandfather’s disappearance, drawing on the connection between Goodbar’s family and Cloar’s artistic legacy.

Goodbar’s interest in preserving history has also taken artistic forms. He designed the Crittenden County flag in the 1970s and has created several paintings, one of which, a depiction of Gibson Bayou Church, adorns the cover of his book about his grandfather.

A new project: Honoring Gibson Bayou’s legacy

Now, with The Talk of Gibson Bayou, Goodbar is turning his attention to the history of the church and cemetery. His goal is to create a definitive history of the site, which has served as a place of worship and remembrance for over 150 years.

“I want to make sure no stone is left unturned,” Goodbar said. “There have been many articles written about the church and cemetery, but to my knowledge, no book has been published. It’s important to me to tell the full story, and that means including the voices of others who have been touched by this place.”

Goodbar’s previous works, including his upcoming novel The Dying of Rebeca, demonstrate his dedication to storytelling and preserving personal histories. In The Dying of Rebeca, he recounts the life of his late wife, who recently passed away from cancer after 26 years of marriage. This intimate narrative is set to be published in November 2024.

Goodbar is inviting anyone with stories, photographs, or other historical materials related to Gibson Bayou Church and Cemetery to contact him. He hopes to include a diverse array of voices and experiences to ensure the book reflects the full scope of the church’s impact. For those interested in learning more about Clyde Goodbar’s past works or contributing to his current project, he can be reached by phone at 915-4870081 or by e-mail at cloyd goodbar@yahoo.com (note: while his name is Clyde, the email address uses “Cloyd”).