(The Fletcher Cemetery pamphlet
genealogical text is reproduced here with the kind permission
of
those in the Fletcher Cemetery
Association and the writer David Fletcher).
In the fall of
1998 the pamphlet was finished and was distributed to local family
members and direct descendants. Those who had designed and constructed
the pamphlet, had done such a professional job and those on the
committee to distribute it had done so well, that soon requests
were coming from "extended family" outside the Bedford
County area.
At this time,
copies have been sent as far south as Louisiana, as far west
as California, and to the East Coast. Contributions for the Cemetery
fence reached the goal and a bit more was received some of which
was used to replace the Fletcher Cemetery sign the rest will
be used for the maintenance of the cemetery in the years ahead.
This small mountain
top cemetery now "sports" a beautiful fence, a neatly
trimmed lawn, and a new sign to direct the many future visitors.
In what better way could you honor those tireless pioneers who
beared all sorts of trials to settle here?
In response to
the many donations made, the Fletcher Cemetery Association mailed
out
the following
letter:
The Trustees and Members
of the Fletcher Cemetery Association would like to thank you
for your contributions with regard to the new Fletcher Cemetery
fence, signage and future maintenance of this unique family heritage.
Without your kind consideration and donations we would never
have been able to achieve our goals much less surpass them, which
is exactly what we did!
We have enclosed a photograph
of our new fence as well as a listing of the donations contributed
from people from across the United States. We hope on your next
visit to Bedford County you will stop by and view what you have
helped us to successfully achieve.
God Bless You and please
accept our sincere appreciation.
The Fletcher Cemetery
Association.
Fletcher Cemetery
Association Members - August, 1999
Seated, left to right:
Michael H. Barkman, Sara
C. Mills, Ethel Bowman Ritchey
Standing, left to right:
Harry Mills, Duane Barkman,
Montie Barkman (Caretaker), Donald M. Ritchey
In this age of
"self" and "me", I think this is a tribute
to those on the committee who have
remained so faithful
to the Cemetery and to their ancestors who are buried in it,
also to
those who were
moved by and appreciated the dedication of these folks and then
gave with
their "hearts".
The results speak loudly of what can be done by just a few who
will give of
themselves for
a common good. May those who follow them benefit from their example
and
continue the tribute.
_____________________________________________
For those who may be interested,
there is a limited number of the Fletcher Cemetery pamphlets
remaining.
If you would like to have
one of them, please email me at the address below and give me
your snail mail
address. I will send one
to you as the supply lasts. If you have comments or questions,
and would like to c
ontact any of the people
mentioned above, please contact me and I will try to put you
in touch with them.
