Hurricane Ian damages historic cemetery
Reported by Regina Gonzalez
Wimauma, Florida – Volunteers were at the Fellowship Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Wimauma on Monday to cut down trees that had fallen over gravestones and other storm debris caused by Hurricane Ian.
The cemetery is privately owned. In other words, maintenance and repair are family responsibilities. Brenda Her Eaton has loved ones buried here that date back to the late 1800s.
“It was overwhelming to see the damage immediately after the storm,” Eaton said. “About 20 trees fell, gravestones were damaged and we didn’t know what to do.”
more: Restoring Memories: Florida Photographer Explains How to Preserve Pictures Damaged by Hurricane Ian’s Floods
She and her husband, Claude, manage the property, coming here almost every day for as long as they can remember and working with the local pastor, Donald Newberry, to maintain it. The cemetery has survived many storms, but it has never seen damage before, mostly due to a cedar tree that grew in someone’s honor after a funeral.
“They were planted years ago as small trees and small bushes, but have turned into monumental trees that branch out in high winds and storms,” Reverend Newbery explained. We are considering removing all the cedar trees as this will repeat itself if we have a storm.”
That’s a long-term goal, but in recent weeks, community members and families of those buried in the cemetery have stepped up. I came here.
“Everyone knew someone who could help,” Eaton smiled.
read: Sarasota County Schools Fully Reopened After Hurricane Ian
It’s all about tidying up and preserving an important piece of history.
“Here’s my family. I think that’s where I’ll be someday, so it means a lot, that history,” Eaton said.
The cemetery continues to seek tree services interested in timber once the dangerous trees have been removed. They are also calling on people with yard tools to come out and help.
To help clean up, you can call Brenda Eaton at 813-928-0900.
