Residents revive old cemetery
By Diana Royal Staff Writer

The preservation committee placed this marker on Highway 23 so the cemetery's location would be more noticeable.

Burke residents have stepped up to help preserve a historic cemetery in which many members of prominent Burke County families are buried.

Since the Mt. Zion Cemetery Preservation Fund was created, donations from all over the county and state have been received, as well as contributions from Florida, North Carolina and Ohio.

Wayne Crockett, who serves on the preservation committee alongside his brother, Evans Crockett, Tom Saxon, R. S. Aldridge and Otis and Jo Knight, says the fund's purpose is to ensure the upkeep of the cemetery.

Two major changes have already taken place thanks to the donations received thus far.

For decades after the paving of Highway 23, Mt. Zion Cemetery remained inaccessible. The committee has seen to it that a road leading directly to the cemetery be built, and now the public has easy access. However, even after the road was created, few knew exactly where to find the cemetery, and only a small sign showed the way.

That's when the committee decided to erect a marker on the highway, using donations and money from their own pockets to foot the $2,500 bill. The new marker is perched atop a hill where it is easily seen by motorists. It simply displays the cemetery name and date of establishment - Dec. 10, 1801.

According to historical reports from Albert M. Millhouse, Mt. Zion Methodist Church, while no longer in existence, "remains of historical interest since it dates from the earliest days of Methodism in Burke."

Many citizens, including the preservation committee, find its cemetery especially important because of those who are buried there. Among those nestled between the trees and within the old iron gates are members of the Cox, Fulcher, Chance, Reese, Prescott, Preskitt, Aldridge, Jones, Hammond, McElmurray, McNorrill, Mills, Warner, Wimberly, Winter, Syms and Rogers families.

Crockett says the committee hopes to use the funds to continue to clean up the cemetery and repair damage. "I want there to be money to keep the cemetery cleaned up long after I'm gone," he said, adding that he hoped Burke citizens and descendants of those buried at Mt. Zion Cemetery would continue to show their support.

Anyone wishing to make a contribution may send donations to the Mt. Zion Preservation Fund, P. O. Box 724, Waynesboro, GA 30830.