Soule Chapel Methodist Cemetery

Haunted Places in West Virginia > Haunted Cemeteries

Soule Chapel Methodist Cemetery paranormal

Location submitted by: sdonley on 04/12/2026 DBA Approved: Y

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Farmdale Rd.
Smoot, WV
Open to the public: Yes

Lat: 37.9049409
Lon: -80.7073009

PANICd#: 2269

Publication date: 04/12/2026

Soule Chapel Methodist Cemetery is a small rural burial ground located near the community of Smoot in Greenbrier County, West Virginia. Zona Heaster Shue, known as the Greenbrier Ghost, was buried there.

Database Summary:

Demographic Rank: 0
History: 1
Stories: 1
Claims: 8
Evidence: 0
Resources: 4
Retrievals: 47
Vistor Rating: 0.0
Votes: 0

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History

History information is some background and history about the location. This is meant to be a basic summary. Below the history records you will find sources in which you can click on to find out more information. There may be multiple history records per location.

Soule Chapel Methodist Cemetery is a small rural burial ground located near the community of Smoot in Greenbrier County, West Virginia. The cemetery sits beside a modest Methodist chapel and reflects the deeply rooted religious traditions of the region. Like many early Appalachian church cemeteries, it likely began as a family and community burial site tied directly to a local congregation, where residents gathered for worship, funerals, and seasonal meetings.

The surrounding area of Greenbrier County has a long history dating back to the 1700s, when settlers moved into the region following the expansion of colonial frontiers. Churches often served as the center of community life, and cemeteries like Soule Chapel became sacred spaces where generations of families were laid to rest. Over time, the cemetery grew as more families in the area chose it as their final resting place.

By the nineteenth century, the cemetery had become an established burial ground for local residents. Many of the graves reflect typical rural Appalachian life, including farmers, laborers, and families who lived through periods of hardship and isolation. The cemetery also serves as a quiet record of local history, with headstones marking the passage of time through wars, disease, and changing generations.

One of the most significant moments in the cemetery history came in 1897 when a young woman named Zona Heaster Shue was buried there. Her burial would transform the cemetery from a simple rural resting place into one of the most famous paranormal locations in American folklore.

Elva Zona Heaster Shue, murder victim
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Following that event, the cemetery became known far beyond Greenbrier County. Visitors began to travel to the site, drawn by the unusual story tied to Zona grave. Today, Soule Chapel Methodist Cemetery remains a quiet and active historical site, maintaining its role as both a place of remembrance and a destination for those interested in history and the unexplained.

Added by: sdonley on 04/12/2026 DB#:902
Source(s):
Various Sources

Stories & Folklore

Stories & Folklore are just that. Stories and personal accounts that have been reported about the location and passed down from generation to generation. This section could also contain research notes as well.

The most famous story connected to Soule Chapel Methodist Cemetery centers on Zona Heaster Shue, whose death in 1897 was initially ruled natural. However, her mother claimed that Zona repeatedly appeared to her as a spirit, revealing that her husband had murdered her. This claim led authorities to reopen the case, eventually resulting in the husband's conviction, making it one of the only cases where testimony involving a ghost contributed to a conviction.

Over time, the story evolved into one of the most well-known ghost legends in the United States. Visitors to the cemetery often report feeling an unusual stillness around Zona's grave, especially near the center of the cemetery, where her headstone stands larger than many others. Some claim that the area carries a different atmosphere compared to the rest of the grounds.

There have been reports of shadowy figures moving among the gravestones, particularly during dusk or early evening hours. Witnesses have described fleeting shapes that disappear when they approach them, often near the section where Zona is buried. These sightings have contributed to the belief that her spirit may linger at the site.

Other visitors have reported hearing faint whispers or soft voices when standing near the grave. Some claim the voices sound like a woman speaking, while others describe them as unintelligible murmurs carried by the wind. People often report these experiences during quiet moments when the cemetery is otherwise still.

In more recent years, paranormal enthusiasts visiting the cemetery have claimed to capture unexplained anomalies in photographs, including light streaks or orbs near the grave. While many of these claims remain unverified, they continue to reinforce the reputation of Soule Chapel Methodist Cemetery as a place where history and folklore intersect.

Added by: sdonley on 04/12/2026 DB#: 1866
Source(s): Various Sources

Paranormal Claims

Here are the paranormal claims for this location. These have been found through Internet research, reports from members, or reports from personal interviews. To add a claim, please contact PANICd.com, and we will review and add your information.

Claim #	Added	Added By	Claim
5053	04/12/2026	sdonley	Apparitions of a woman believed to be Zona seen near her grave
5054	04/12/2026	sdonley	Shadow figures moving between gravestones at dusk
5055	04/12/2026	sdonley	Unexplained whispers or voices heard near the burial area
5056	04/12/2026	sdonley	Cold spots reported around the central section of the cemetery
5057	04/12/2026	sdonley	Feelings of being watched or followed while walking the grounds
5058	04/12/2026	sdonley	Unusual stillness or heaviness in the atmosphere
5059	04/12/2026	sdonley	Light anomalies and orbs captured in photographs
5060	04/12/2026	sdonley	Reports of sudden drops in temperature without explanation

Additional Resources

This is a collection of Internet resources for this location. This section will house links to other websites that contain information related to history, claims, investigations, or even the location's website.

Smoot, WV - Grave of the Greenbrier Ghost Added: 04/12/2026 By: sdonley	Visit reports, news, maps, directions and info on Grave of the Greenbrier Ghost in Smoot, West Virginia.
Soule Chapel Methodist Cemetery in Meadow Bluff, West Virginia - Find a Grave Cemetery Added: 04/12/2026 By: sdonley	Find 105 memorial records at the Soule Chapel Methodist Cemetery cemetery in Meadow Bluff, West Virginia. Add a memorial, flowers or photo.
Zona Heaster Shue (1876-1897) - Find a Grave Memorial Added: 04/12/2026 By: sdonley	Folk Figure. Known as The Greenbrier Ghost, her death in 1897 was presumed natural until her spirit appeared to her mother to describe how she was killed by her husband Edward. Autopsy on the exhumed body verified the apparition's account. Edward, found guilty of murder, was sentenced to the state prison. Only known...
WikiPedia Entry Added: 04/12/2026 By: sdonley	Information about this location on WikiPedia