The primary reason I wanted to start the Respect and Restore Society was so we could take on larger cemetery restoration projects. Well, I think I may have gotten more than I bargained for with this one! One of our members told me about an abandoned cemetery in Senatobia, Mississippi. She had noticed some headstones
Where the Stones Had Fallen: From Abandoned to Remembered Read More »
Exactly 125 years ago today, on October 30, 1899, Annie French Cooley passed away at the age of 26. Annie was the daughter of Dr. French and his wife, Eliza. I spent last week working on leveling and straightening some of the other monuments, which is usually pretty easy – you simply move the monument
The French Family Part 3 – Annie French Cooley Read More »
In case you missed my previous post, I have started work on the French Family Burial Plot at Bethesda Cemetery in Senatobia, Mississippi. As usual, I have probably taken on more than I can ever finish, but I enjoy the transformations way too much. I found something pretty neat while beginning the work on the
The French Family Part 2 – Dr. W.A. French Read More »
I am not doing too well on completing my monuments and posting articles. Life has somehow managed to interfere with all my plans. Although it is not an excuse, I took on a really large project which has become quite the undertaking to complete. With that being said, life happens but I am excited to
The French Family Part 1 Read More »
Wow! Time really does fly by. I cannot believe that I have not posted anything since August 2022. It has been a crazy year which has kept me very busy. To help you understand, allow me to back track a bit to October 2021…our daughter got engaged! That declaration alone should explain where I have
The Angel for Robert A. Payne Read More »
My latest project was chosen simply because I thought the monument was unique and pretty! I could only imagine once it was cleaned that it would be radiant. When I began to research Drury Myra Boyce Ward, I found that she lived an amazing life and her family happened to be very interesting too! Drury
On a Tuesday afternoon in February of 1916, Claude Veazey and Lida Canon were married in Memphis, Tennessee. Claude Veazey was a well known merchant and happened to be very popular. I would imagine Claude was quite the eligible bachelor. He was tall and slender with blue eyes and of course, a very successful businessman.
The angel at Longtown Cemetery in Panola County, Mississippi is a sight to behold. It is a marble statue placed on a large pink granite base standing well over 10 feet tall. When I first saw this angel, I knew it would be my next project. I was able to get permission from the cemetery
The Longtown Angel Read More »
About The Guardian Monument When you walk into Palestine Cemetery in Tate County, Mississippi, you are greeted by a young girl kneeling in prayer. As I approached her for the first time, I thought for sure that she was the monument for a specific person, but I found that is not the case. One of
The Guardian: Cemetery Statue Meaning & Monument History Read More »
I have spent the last week working on a project that I am excited to share with all of you. Last Sunday, my mom and I decided to ride around basically to get out of the house. As many of you know, I researched and wrote the story of the murder of Sheriff J.M. Poag.
Sheriff John Macon Poag Read More »
Every time I ride south on Highway 51, I always look up at a girl on the hill in Bethesda Cemetery. The elaborate monument is in a fenced-in area with a gate. It is actually quite beautifully done and it is obvious the family wanted this area protected complete with a gate signifying the ownership
Verna Salmon McKay Read More »
On March 20, 1898 at approximately 11:00 a.m., Deputy Sheriff Homer Gilmore was involved in an altercation with Ashley Cocke, a prominent yet rather tough character in the middle of a busy Senatobia, Mississippi street. After cursing one another repeatedly, Deputy Gilmore and Ashley Cocke drew their respective weapons and fired. Cocke hit Gilmore three
Sheriff William Franklin Bray Read More »