Hunt Co., TX - Cemeteries All That Remain Many Early Communities
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Cemeteries All That Remain Many Early Communities

    Hunt County is dotted with small communities such as Hooker Ridge, Wieland,
Hogeye, McWright, Lane, and others, too numerous to mention.  Once these
communities flourished, but in recent years, in many instances, the only
remaining evidence of their existence are the cemeteries.  Many churches and
schools have consolidated or been abandoned, thus leaving the old community
cemeteries as the only tie between the pioneer fathers who established them and
the present and future generations.
    In spite of the hardships under which they lived, the first thought of
these pioneers was to establish a church and a school and to dedicate a part of
the land to the community for cemetery purposes only.  In each instance these
plots of land have continued to be used for the purpose of providing a last
resting place for the loved ones of each community, even after the ground where
the churches and schools once stood has been sold or reverted back to
descendants of the original owners.
    From the very beginning, citizens of each community regarded it as their
responsibility and privilege to maintain these cemeteries.  In most instances,
each succeeding generation has assumed this responsibility and is proud to have
a part in the upkeep of the cemeteries of their communities.
    The present generation is doing a good job is evidenced by the improvements
made by many of the communities in recent years.  Nearly all of them have a
voluntary cemetery association, some obtaining a charter from the State of
Texas to operate as a permanent organization.
    Much of the encouragement and financial assistance for the local people
comes from former residents of the community who many times have come back home
for the sole purpose of visiting the last resting place of their loved ones,
and evidence of this respect and appreciation of the heritage, which is theirs,
because of the courage and faith of those who pioneered this country.

Cemetery Association Officers. . .
    Officers of the Celeste Cemetery Association are pictured above in front of
the new cemetery gate donated by Dial Elkins in memory of his parents.  Left to
right are Houston Furr, president; Jack Ruff, secretary; Mrs. Lem Warren,
reporter; Mrs. Albert Norris, treasurer; and George McGee, vice-president.
(Picture, staff photo by Tom Poole, Jr.)  (June 5, 1955, The Greenville Morning
Herald)
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