19 Mar 2015 Family shows appreciation with new sign

Todd Owens photos

The Mount Vernon Cemetery Committee recently held a dedication of a beautiful sign provided as a loving gift by the Harrison family.

The sign was erected at Highway 36 and Cemetery Road.

“The committee would like to thank the Harrison family and those who contributed to building the sign that was dedicated,” said committee chairman Marilyn Burroughs.

The Mount Vernon Community Cemetery was established in December 1885 on four acres of land donated by J.J. and Sallie Crow. In July 2010, Raymond and Jean Keathley donated additional land to the cemetery. There are approximately 650 burials in the cemetery.

Ricky Harrison spearheaded the effort for the new sign. “Since the passing of my dad, JC Harrison, and two of my brothers-in-law, Ray Kelley and Jim ‘Moose’ Sowards, I have spent a lot of time at the cemetery in an effort to keep our family grave sites and plots tidy and maintained,” he stated on behalf of his family. “I never got the chance, however, because my mother, Kathleen, had always managed to beat me there and had everything done and looking so nice. Then I noticed how well maintained and groomed the rest of the cemetery was kept.”

Harrison said he wanted to show his appreciation for all the hard work on the cemetery and came up with the idea for the sign. “Everyone made it easy. The committee welcomed the idea and my mother helped design it with me. Eddie Hawkins generously gave the spot to build on. Ed Lacewell of DesignTech donated the wall and column caps and Kelton Keathley made a donation.

“I would like to thank my mother and the entire committee for all they do and would encourage everyone with family, friends or loved ones in the cemetery to contact a person with the committee and help in any way they can.”

The cemetery committee, members of the community and those with loved ones buried in the cemetery are working to get additional land cleared as well as map all burial sites and place a fence around the grounds.

Other committee members are Patsy Brewer, Sue Simpson, Bonnie Caldwell, Martha Garrison, Suzann Waggoner, Virginia Lester, Bronnie Rose and Vera Loyd.

“We want to thank all who have given their time or have given a donation to the cemetery,” Burroughs said.

For more information on the cemetery, contact Burroughs at 501.679.7307.