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Pierce Cemetery receives TLC

There is a cemetery located off the beaten path in Lake Creek, Texas. It could be considered a hidden gem but for many years it had been neglected. Thanks to Butch and Linda Burns the overgrown Pierce Cemetery now looks like a shining jewel.

“We were driving by and thought, ‘it is a shame for a cemetery to look like that’,” said Butch Burns, who contributed over 63 hours of landscape work with his wife to return respect to those buried. The overgrowth was knee-deep among the briars and bushes. The duo ran the weed eater, mowed and used chainsaws to trim tree branches. They also picked up fallen headstones.

Burns is the Vice Commander of Red Henderson Post 483 of the American Legion. He said they plan to take it on as a project, and he is currently researching to see if there are any veteran’s graves on the plot of land located on County Road 4285 in Delta County.

“We came across Rev. Samuel Roe 1822-1909, whose headstone said he served in the Mexican and Civil Wars. That is the oldest one we have seen,” said Burns. “It was hard work, but it is very interesting. I enjoyed doing it.” He mentioned there were other headstones of interest including Woodmen of the World.

“We didn’t do it for recognition. We did it just because it needed to be done,” added Burns.

Lake Creek resident Lewis Anderson will be assisting Burns in the upkeep of the cemetery. Anderson had been performing the grooming duties until funds expired. Burns is hoping kinfolk of the families buried at Pierce Cemetery will come forth with monetary donations to continue with the grounds keeping. Donations can be make directly to Pierce Cemetery in care of Enloe State Bank, 45 TX-24 BUS, Cooper, TX 75432 or by calling (903) 395-2159. Donations are tax deductible.

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