One of the places that was hardest hit during the straight line wind storm in North Carrollton on Nov. 1 was the historic Evergreen Cemetery.
Located on Cemetery Road, just past Marshall Elementary, the cemetery is one of the oldest in the county with graves dating back to the 1800s.
When the storm came through, two huge trees—an oak and a cedar tree – fell on graves in the older part of the cemetery damaging them. Evergreen Cemetery Association Treasurer Margaret Adams said the damage is going to cost $2,000.
“There were two big trees that fell but fell on tombstones. It’s $2,000 because we kind of have to do it by hand or it’s going to run us some more,” Adams said.
She said now the association has to find family members of those buried there with broken headstones. “We have to see if anybody is left out of the family. Some of those graves are real old, so it’ll be hard to get in touch with them.”
Adams said once the trees are removed, they can assess how bad the damage to the headstones are. She said the association doesn’t have the money to pay for it and is seeking all the help they can get.
“We’re just having to pay for it ourselves, we don’t keep around extra money like that. It’s just going to be a hardship,” she said. “But, if anyone would like to donate, we’d love to have it.”
She said every little bit helps in their cleanup efforts, and donations can be sent to Evergreen Cemetery, 435 North Carrollton, North Carrollton, MS 38947.
Adams said smaller limbs fell but no other major damage was done in the cemetery outside the felled trees.
She said volunteers are also welcomed to help with the cleanup process.
“We can always use volunteer, to pick up smaller limbs or something,” she said.
Adams said it’s hard to get the cemetery insured because cemetery plots are purchased by the owners. “An insurance agent in Winona did tell me that most people’s homeowners insurance will pay for tombstone damage. Now, it’s just finding the families. They could be late 1800s, 1900s. They wouldn’t have it, because they’re not living.”
She said if there’s damage to a newer headstones then the heirs of those owners could pay for it with their homeowner’s insurance.
“This is the second time this year we’ve had damage; we appreciate help anyone might give. It’s so expensive to keep up cemeteries. It’s hard for small cemetery association.”
