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 committee and learned that someone had cleaned it with bleach (Clorox). Clorox is a huge NO-NO in cleaning monuments especially marble. You will notice the damage that happened as a result of using bleach in the final reveal of my work on this beautiful angel.
This angel was terribly dirty and I underestimated the sheer size of her on my first visit to begin cleaning. I only brought a step ladder. Needless to say, I was unable to reach the top of her head and wings.
After the initial cleaning, this was the best I could do. I saturated the angel with D2 and water before I scrubbed and scrubbed with a plastic brush.
Now I know you would like to know the story of this Angel… It belongs to the White family. The White family story begins with R.P. and Jessie Lewers. They were married on Christmas Eve in 1909. By July of 1911, the couple were blessed with a son, Ray Lyles White. It was 12 years before R.P. and Jessie had another child, Martha Ida White born in October of 1923.
Tragically in 1928, Ray Lyles White was killed instantly when the car he was traveling in crashed through a bridge. According to newspaper reports, the bridge had been weakened by recent rains and collapsed as the group crossed it . He was 16 years old at the time of his death. His tombstone reads “God loved them best”.
In 1940, tragedy struck this family again when Martha Ida became sick. She passed away on August 16, 1940. Her death certificate indicates that her cause of death was respiratory failure due to a brain tumor. It appears there were efforts to save her life through surgery, but it was unsuccessful. She was 16 years old. Her tombstone also reads “God loved them best”.
R.P. and Jessie lost both children suddenly and tragically. However, this couple boldly declared their faith in the Lord and His plan by the statement on their children’s monuments – “God loved them best”.
Jessie Lewers White died a mere 5 years after Martha in July of 1945. R.P. White only lived for another 5 years.
The angel and the surrounding monuments are all that is left of the White family.
Now that I told you the sad story of the White family, I would like to show you the results of cleaning the White family Angel.
You may notice the yellowing of the stone and gray splotches in certain places. I believe this is a result of the bleach that was used years ago. However, I am very pleased with how well the D2 helped restore this beautiful Angel.
This is such a sweet story of the White family. I can’t believe how great the Longtown Angel looks after your work on it.
Wow, the angel looks beautiful! This was definitely a labor of love. Thank you for sharing the family history.
Thank you!
AMAZING!!!! The story and the Angel are something to behold. The restoration is unbelievable and impressive to say the very least!
Thank you!
That is amazing work!! You did an awesome job! The research was wonderful, as well!
Thank you!
Beautiful restoration of the angel. You are indeed a very talented person.
Thank you so much!!
And I thought the Palestine angel story/restoration was my favorite. You did this family’s story justice for sure.
Thank you!
I remember my late mother, Carabelle Buford Butler, speaking about this young lady. They were born the same year and evidently knew each other at one time. My husband is buried in same cemetery & you
did do a fantastic job in cleaning her !!!
J.B.,
Thank you so much for performing the work that you did. My grandmother was Jessie Lewers’s sister. The Williams plot is adjacent to the White plot. My family no longer lives in the area but at one time we unknowingly cleaned the angel with bleach in the 90’s on a visit. I appreciate your efforts so much and for taking the time to learn and recount the tragic history of the Whites.