Group Works To Restore Cartersville, Bartow Cemeteries

Several residents throughout Cartersville and Bartow County are working together to clean up the final resting places of the county’s forefathers.

For the past four years, members of Bartow Ancestors have dedicated their time, energy and skills to clean up several cemeteries throughout the county. Now, these group are volunteers are reaching out to the public to help them support their plans.

Vicki Crowe, founder of Bartow Ancestors, said the organization is in need of money to help clean the Furnace-Goodson Cemetery and other burial grounds in the county.

Money deposited into the Bartow Ancestors Cemetery Fund will help purchase the tools needed to remove between 12,000 and 15,000 pine trees at the Furnace-Goodson Cemetery, the cemetery she said needs the most work throughout the county.

Additionally, they’d like to also purchase signs that can be placed at cemeteries.

The organization includes seven volunteers who regularly donate their time to make these places presentable. The cemeteries have become overrun with excess brush and shrubbery since many of the descendants of those buried at these places no longer reside in the area.

“The families have moved away and they are not here to keep them cleaned up,” she said, adding the group’s goal is to clean up the cemeteries so they can “be taken care of by families” or another organization willing to step and help clean the properties at least once a year.

The organization has a Facebook page, which has over 3,400 followers, and an article written in 2014 by The Daily News Tribune garnered interest and donations from both in and outside the state. A couple of volunteers have even traveled from as far as Alabama to participate in cleanup efforts, Crowe stated.

Other cemeteries the organization would like to tackle include the Floyd Family Cemetery, Finley Family Cemetery, Bagwell-Lewis Cemetery, Reynolds Cemetery, Richardson Family Cemetery, Puckett Cemetery, Mosteller Family Cemetery, Hargis Family Cemetery and the Pine Grove Cemetery.

Crowe said the organization also will take its mission to the masses with two upcoming events.

The Jailbreak at Cassville lecture with David G. Archer will be held at 1 p.m. May 9 at the Cassville Cemetery. While the event is free, donations are encouraged and will benefit both the Cassville Cemetery Association and the Bartow Ancestors Cemetery Fund. Residents can bring a chair or blanket and listen to Archer tell the story of the famous jailbreak at Cassville, and what other events were happening in the area at that time.

At noon May 20, Crowe will discuss the group’s efforts at a Lunch and Learn meeting at the Bartow History Museum.

They’ve also recently opened a store —The Rusty Rooster — inside Copperwood Company at 96 East Iron Belt Road right behind Bojangles, which sits along U.S. 41/Joe Frank Harris Parkway in Cartersville. Items for sale include history books, maps, genealogical charts, some photos and vintage items. Hours of operation can be found on The Rusty Rooster’s Facebook page.

Crowe said she’s hoping the interest Bartow Ancestors is receiving will translate into donations and more volunteers committed to their cause. Cleaning up the cemetery is yet another way residents can pay homage to the pioneers who helped make Bartow County and its cities the places they are today, she added.

“A lot of people say the cemetery is just full of dead people,” she said. “No — these are (our) ancestors and history. These are the people who brought industry to Bartow County.”

That passion for preserving part of Bartow County’s history has sparked the interest of one volunteer. Tony Ross, who lives in White, got involved with the group’s efforts at the beginning of the year. He learned of Bartow Ancestor’s work when he met Crowe. Upon visiting one the Furnace-Goodson Cemetery, Ross said the state of the burial place “just broke my heart.”

Ross, whose family has lived in the Bartow County area for years, added he hasn’t discovered any family members buried at the cemetery, but noted a friend has a relative buried at the location. That friend, he said, was touched by his decision to get involved.

Ross said he also hopes others will pitch in by either donating their time or funds to help beautify these spaces. Even if they can’t do that, Ross said just by showing up and thanking the volunteers for their efforts would also go a long way.

For more information or to inquire about getting involved, call 678-925-5690, email bartowancestors@gmail.com or visit the Bartow Ancestors Facebook page.

To donate to the Bartow Ancestors Cemetery Fund, visit the GoFundMe page or mail a check to: Bartow Ancestors Cemetery Fund, 5968 Hwy. 20 SE, Cartersville, Ga. 30121.

Photo credits: Bartow Ancestors