Jefferson County Cemetery: Difference between revisions
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The '''Jefferson County Cemetery''' is a cemetery used by [[Jefferson County]] located at the end of [[ | [[File:Jeffco Cemetery.jpg|right|thumb|375px|Jefferson County Cemetery. Photo by Michelle Williams/al.com]] | ||
[[File:1941 county cemetery pryer.jpg|right|thumb|375px|Ronely Kuhn speaks before a burial at Jefferson County Cemetery, December 31, 1941. ''Birmingham Post'' staff photo]] | |||
The '''Jefferson County Cemetery''' is a cemetery used by [[Jefferson County]] located at the end of [[Ballpark Drive]] southeast of [[Morris]]. Used mainly for pauper's burials, the cemetery contains approximately 8,000 graves as of [[2016]]. | |||
Brown-varnished wood coffins were formerly assembled for the purpose by inmates in the county's prison camps. These were marked in chalk with the deceased's surname and a "W" or "C" denoting their race. An identification number was added after they were unloaded at the cemetery. In recent decades, commercial pressboard coffins have been used, and the graves marked by a cement-filled coffee can stamped with an identification number. | |||
Prior to [[1942]] no services were held in connection with burials at the county cemetery. That year the [[Jefferson County Commission]] approved a proposal to employ a minister to give a prayer. [[Ronely Kuhn]], pastor of [[Kimberly Methodist Church]], was given a small monthly stipend to read from scripture and deliver a brief message between the unloading of the coffins from the county hearse and their distribution to the prepared burial lots. Since the establishment of [[Cooper Green Mercy Health Services|Cooper Green Hospital]], a chaplain from that has taken over those duties. Often a representative of the [[Morris Beautification Board]] will provide a carnation for each coffin. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
* Bryant, Walter (January 20, 2007) | * Helfer, Harold (January 1, 1942) "[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-post-first-prayer-at-grav/137838270/ First Prayer At Graves Of The Unmourned Dead]." ''[[The Birmingham Post]]'', p. 10 | ||
* Lockman, Scot (June 2001) "Down in Potter's Field: A cemetery in Morris is the final resting place for Jefferson County's poor." {{BN}} | |||
* Robinson, Carol (June 14, 2001) "None but strangers to say goodbye." {{BN}} | |||
* Bryant, Walter (January 20, 2007) "Loved in life, robbed in death, a common man is laid to rest." {{BN}} | |||
==External links== | |||
{{Locate | lat = 33.74150 | lon = -86.79358| zoom = 15 | type = h}} | |||
* Nix, Heather and Vlad Sheinfeld (2007) "[http://contentdm.mhsl.uab.edu/videos/2007LeastOfThoseAmongUs.html The Least of Those Among Us]." [[Digital City Films]] | |||
* [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=2508569 Jefferson County Cemetery] at Findagrave.com | |||
[[Category: | [[Category:Jefferson County cemeteries]] | ||
[[Category:Jefferson County]] | [[Category:Jefferson County]] | ||
[[Category:Morris]] | [[Category:Morris]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Ballpark Drive]] | ||
Latest revision as of 15:51, 1 January 2024
The Jefferson County Cemetery is a cemetery used by Jefferson County located at the end of Ballpark Drive southeast of Morris. Used mainly for pauper's burials, the cemetery contains approximately 8,000 graves as of 2016.
Brown-varnished wood coffins were formerly assembled for the purpose by inmates in the county's prison camps. These were marked in chalk with the deceased's surname and a "W" or "C" denoting their race. An identification number was added after they were unloaded at the cemetery. In recent decades, commercial pressboard coffins have been used, and the graves marked by a cement-filled coffee can stamped with an identification number.
Prior to 1942 no services were held in connection with burials at the county cemetery. That year the Jefferson County Commission approved a proposal to employ a minister to give a prayer. Ronely Kuhn, pastor of Kimberly Methodist Church, was given a small monthly stipend to read from scripture and deliver a brief message between the unloading of the coffins from the county hearse and their distribution to the prepared burial lots. Since the establishment of Cooper Green Hospital, a chaplain from that has taken over those duties. Often a representative of the Morris Beautification Board will provide a carnation for each coffin.
References
- Helfer, Harold (January 1, 1942) "First Prayer At Graves Of The Unmourned Dead." The Birmingham Post, p. 10
- Lockman, Scot (June 2001) "Down in Potter's Field: A cemetery in Morris is the final resting place for Jefferson County's poor." The Birmingham News
- Robinson, Carol (June 14, 2001) "None but strangers to say goodbye." The Birmingham News
- Bryant, Walter (January 20, 2007) "Loved in life, robbed in death, a common man is laid to rest." The Birmingham News
External links
- Nix, Heather and Vlad Sheinfeld (2007) "The Least of Those Among Us." Digital City Films
- Jefferson County Cemetery at Findagrave.com