The Marlin Democrat
Saturday, October 16, 2004

Memorial Dedication To Be Held In Lott For Newly Designated Historical Cemetery

     Clover Hill Cemetery has been designated as a Texas Historic Cemetery by the Texas Historical Commission, the State agency for historic preservation. A Memorial Day program of commemoration and dedication of the historic marker will be held at the First Baptist Church Annex on Saturday, October 16, 2004 at 9:00 a.m.

     The program will culminate with a memorial caravan to Clover Hill Cemetery escorted by the Lott police. The public is invited to attend.

     The designation, reserved for cemeteries that are at least 50 years old and deemed worthy of preservation for their historic associations, means an Affidavit of Designation for Cemetery Purposes has been issued to the Clover Hill Cemetery and it has been recorded in the Falls County Clerk's Office.

     "The designation is a tool that will increase public awareness of these important cultural resources," said Larry Oaks, executive director of the Texas Historical Commission (THC).

     Cemeteries hold valuable historical information. They are often the last reminders of early settlements' historical events, religious beliefs, lifestyles and genealogy.

     "Historic cemeteries serve as directories of early residents and reflect the cultural influences that helped shape our State's communities," Oaks said.

     The research and writing of the history of Clover Hill Cemetery began in 2000 with a grave by grave inventory and a Directory published in 2002, a donation of commitment and time given by Lu Ouida Vinson Phillips. The history of the cemetery submitted to the Texas Historical Commission was written and edited by Aletha Vinson Southwell and Lu Ouida Vinson Phillips. A copy of the Directory was added to the Marlin Public Library collection and copies will be donated to the Rosebud and Waco Public Libraries.

     Mrs. Southwell, chairman of the Historical Marker Committee, Clover Hill Cemetery Association expresses her appreciation to all those persons who provided information through interviews and writings. She found the book written by Lillian St.Romain and papers by Annie Poulson and Dorothy Reaves Polley very helpful and rewarding in gleaning historical facts about the cemetery. Key interviews with Marietta (Hailey) Sudduth, Frances Collier and Wade and Alena Vinson were enlightening and provided interesting and more current links to the beginning of the Cemetery.

     Remembrance flowers decorate the graves for this occasion. Flags will mark the graves of men and women of the armed services buried at the Cemetery.

     The Clover Hill Cemetery Association Historical Marker Dedication Committee developed plans for the dedication program according to the chairman. Committee members are LaVerne Cockerham, Huey "Tex" Blakeney, Mary LaGrone, Susan Hauser, Shirley Melton, Lu Ouida Phillips, Dorothy Polley, Roy and Mary Lou Renfro, LaVerne Wong and Aletha Southwell.