The Guardian

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 my coworkers, Katie told me about her and got permission for me to clean this precious girl. On February 11, 2022, I began working to restore this monument to its former glory and discover why she resides so elegantly in a small country cemetery.  

I began with water and a plastic brush to remove some of the vegetation that had accumulated on her.  Then, I applied D2 Biological Solution and let it work its magic.  

After the initial cleaning, this was the result…it is much better.  However, I sprayed her one more time with a coating of D2 and hoped it would continue to improve over time. I did notice that she had been damaged and repaired at some point.  Her nose still needs to be repaired.  I hope to get that fixed soon.  

Before the big reveal…I want to discuss the mystery of why she was placed here in this cemetery.  Since she does not have a name anywhere on or around her, I began to look around the cemetery to figure out her placement.  I came up with a theory, but if you have any information about her – please let me know!

When I began looking around, I realized that several members of the Parsons family were buried in front of and beside her.  Then it hit me…most of these graves were for children…more specifically – the children of William Leonard and Elizabeth Pollydora Mosby Parsons.  

Elizabeth Blanch Parsons

1 year old Daughter 

Born – 9/23/1873

Died – 9/22/1875 

Thomasia Virginia Parsons

4 year old Daughter 

Born – 9/5/1871

Died – 8/18/1876

William L. Parsons, Jr.

19 year old Son 

Born – 2/1/1865

Died – 8/16/1884

Mary Eugenia Parsons

18 year old Daughter

Born – 12/12/1866

Died – 12/24/1884

Sarah Ann Parsons Massey

24 year old Daughter

Born – 11/8/1862

Died – 11/27/1886

Annie Laura Parsons Miller

30 year old Daughter

Born – 3/31/1876

Died – 1/24/1907

W.L. and Eugenia Pollydora Parsons had a total of 8 children.  Eugenia Pollydora buried 7 of her 8 children before her death in 1918.  

In addition to the Parsons children, there is the grave of Mrs. Parsons’ 3 year old nephew:  Robert, son of R.D. & K.M. Mosby.  He was born in 1874 and passed away in 1877.  

The unspeakable tragedy of losing a child is something that I absolutely cannot imagine. My dear grandmother had to bury two children and the loss haunted her life forever.  The Parsons’ family lost 7 children…one is too many.  Which brings me to my theory of the girl in Palestine Cemetery, I believe that she was placed to watch over all the children that were buried all around her throughout the years.

I hope restoring this girl to her former glory will be a testament to honor the families that have lost children.  I know she is only a symbol, but her kneeling in prayer somewhat gives me the sense that she is there to intercede and guard the remains of those left behind here on earth.  

On March 31, 2022, I made another visit to my girl and this is the result!