Laid to rest

Still thinking about Jill.

One of the most interesting trips we took years ago was to the cemeteries where past Thomases and various other relatives are buried. Most were around Groesbeck in semi-East Texas where there are beautiful trees and old plots with real headstones.

I realized yesterday that I needed to tell Maddie and Ella where some of their relatives are buried for future historical purposes. Your Poppy Sam, his mother and father (Ludene and A.B.--Mow and Big Paw) his grandfather and grandmother (Sam A. and his wife--Back and Granny) and other long-gone relatives are buried in the Falkenbury Cemetery in Groesbeck, Texas. My mother and father (Pauline and Ollis--Granny and PawPaw) are buried in the Hamlin, Texas Cemetery. Pauline's mother (Lizzie Belle Herndon Tucker--Granny Tucker) is buried in Elmwood West in Abilene. (Granny Tucker's mother and father (William Samuel Herndon and Mary) are buried in the Anson, Texas cemetery east of town, along with many other Herndons.)Pauline's father is buried in Zephyr, Texas. Ollis's parents are buried in Hannah Cemetery north of Anson, Texas.

Because of my interest in history and genealogy, I think it is important to know these things. Two of my peeves are that people do not put enough information on gravestones and that families do not keep up with burial places. I guess another is the "modern" cemeteries with no headstones showing above ground. The ambiance of the Groesbeck cemetery is enhanced by the centuries old evergreens and moss and the unique headstones of the 19th century. The dead don't care, but the living are enriched by such a place, I believe.

Rest well, sweet Jill.