Man infuriated by condition of cemetery
By JOE L. HUGHES II Ledger Staff Writer joe@gaffneyledger.com

Ledger photo / JOE L. HUGHES II Rick Davis surveys several graves that are sinking at a rural family cemetery used by African-American families since the late 1800's just outside Blacksburg.

When Rick Davis and his family decided to bury their grandmother a few years ago at a private cemetery used by family members for decades, they believed she would forever be able to rest in peace.

However, what has happened at the site just outside of Blacksburg - including their grandmother's plot - has the family asking local officials for answers.

"It is totally unacceptable that things were allowed to get like this," Davis said. "Things need to be done because this cemetery's condition is awful ... awful!"

With grass several feet high in some places and headstones strewn about the property, the grave site where black Cherokee County residents have been buried since the late 1800s, lies in disarray and in some places ruins.

"I compare the condition of this graveyard to a trash dump," Davis said. "My uncle was buried up here a few weeks ago and we could not go up to the site due to rain muddying the road. Somebody has to clean up this mess."

After vandals destroyed his grandmother's vault in December of 2006, Davis sought help from the Town of Blacksburg. Instead, Davis was forced to climb another hurdle after Blacksburg Public Works crews allegedly poured concrete into the grave.

"I reached into the casket before they poured the cement in there and felt nothing but water," Davis said. "That was not professional. I spoke with several funeral directors who told me there were steps disregarded by these men when they poured the concrete.

"The water inside the grave was never drained out or her bones accounted for. Following those steps, the vault is to be resealed ... steps not taken."

Davis believes the town lacks respect for the cemetery.

"The least they could have done is cleaned up," Davis' sister, Debbie Martinez said. "Other cemeteries in town are beautiful, spotless with nary a piece of paper hitting the ground. But look over here, graves are sinking in and grass is everywhere."

Davis said he has spoken with Blacksburg Mayor David Hogue about the matter, though it did not result in the outcome he desired.

"I was simply told nothing could be done," Davis said.

Hogue agrees something should be done about the graveyard. However, he said the city's hands are tied due to the cemetery's location.

"There is nothing we can do," Hogue said. "Being at the foot of the mountain the cemetery is just outside of city limits. I wish there was more we could do, but its location doesn't allow us."

Davis disagrees with Hogue about the cemetery's proximity to the town limits."I will do whatever it takes to get this resolved ... no matter what it takes," Davis said.