Cemetery cleanup continues in Eden

Here’s a look at the broken and covered headstones before cleanup efforts began. Many stones were so covered in debris that they couldn’t be identified.

By: By LATALA PAYNE Staff writer | GoDanRiver
Published: July 21, 2010

The Cemetery Committee, through the Eden Preservation Society, started work on restoring the Spray Cemetery in March of this year. Work has been ongoing by volunteers who have put in a strong effort into this project, according to David Clay, an organizer of the cleanup.

“We’ve come a long way and we’re scheduling some additional cleanup efforts coming up,” he said. “I’m not really sure when the cleanup will be complete, but we are shooting for October.”

Local Boy Scout troops and the American Legion have been helping along with other volunteers so far. But Clay said they can always use more help.

Efforts to identify many broken or blank headstones have also been made by the cemetery committee. Clay asks anyone who may have information on those buried in the cemetery to come forward. He said most of the headstones are from 1870 to 1920.

Work that still needs to be completed includes spraying for poison oak, clearing out trees and building a fence around the cemetery.

For additional information on the cemetery or to volunteer, contact David Clay at (336) 427-5711 or davidclay@embarqmail.com.