Kennedale Cemetery About To Get Much-Needed TLC
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KENNEDALE (CBS11) - The Kennedale Historical Society dedicates its efforts to preserve the legacy of the Tarrant County community.
Members have decided to put its efforts behind the preservation of the town's first African American cemetery. The Whitehead cemetery was created in the 1870's as a family burial place for the clan that migrated from Georgia as sharecroppers. "They came with my family, the Rogers," Historical Society member Laurie Sanders recalled. "They owned their own land and this cemetery is part of it," Sanders said.
But the cemetery has fallen on hale times. Fallen trees, tall weeds and thickets cover the headstones of graves that date back 150 years. Names such as Cowan, Davis, Johnson and others can be seen on stone-carved headstones, but years of neglect obscures the view from the old dirt road entrance.
On Saturday, September 19, the Historical Society will lead a community clean team, to begin the process the revitalize the historic site. Sanders says there are no direct Whitehead descendants living in the area anymore. "It's disrespectful to see it like this. We need to make it better."
The Society will gather with volunteers at the Kennedale United Methodist Church and caravan to the cemetery site.
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