Forest Grove Baptist Church
42nd Annual Memorial Service

Forest Grove Cemetery - May 20, 2001
playing Taps Kenneth Holton

The sad notes of Taps rang out for those that served and those that never came home as a part of a 42 year tradition in our community.

The Alachua Historical joined the Memorial Service as part of their weekend event and tour of Forest Grove's Cemetery, The Shaw Family Cemetery and 235A  Cemetery.  A number of the elders shared a touching family story of loved ones that had served our country and were laid to rest in Alachua.  On hand for the Historical Society event was Mayor Gib Coerper, Mr. & Mrs. Archie Matthews, Ms. Belle Jeffords, Carolyn Fredricks, and Ms. Bonnie Burgess, President & Founder of the Alachua Historical Society. The following was handed out as the history of Forest Grove Cemetery.

The History of Forest Grove
1885 - 2001

The first grave in what is now known as the Forest Grove Church Cemetery was young Maxey D. Blanton, son of Sumpter and Emma Blanton.  He was laid to rest here on January 6, 1885.  

Soon to join him, according to records, were Janie McCall Dampier in 1889,  Arabella R. Stroble on May 19, 1889, Elizabeth Bradshaw on November 24, 1888, and the Wright infant on February 28, 1890.

Sumpter and Emma Blanton deeded the first parcel of land to Forest Grove Church for the cemetery on August 15, 1890.  It contained two acres.

On December 15, 1919, the second and third parcels were deeded to the church.  T.L. and Pearl Blanton deeded the east parcel that contained 1.29 acres. J.L. and Verner Martin deeded the south parcel.  It contained one acre.

Mildred Martin deeded the north parcel to the church for the cemetery on November 17, 1959.  The Cemetery and the church bought two acres from Mildred Martin on April 13, 1971.  This parcel lies on the west side of the cemetery.  The church signed the note at that time.  The cemetery was able to reimburse the church later for the amount of the note.

The Forest Grove Church Cemetery Association's goal was to accrue enough money in savings so that the interest alone would support the upkeep of the cemetery.  Many people have had a hand in helping reach this goal by their generous donations to the memorial fund.

In 1966, a four inch well was installed in the cemetery.  In 1967, a water main that runs the full length of the cemetery was installed.  The shelter was built in 1969; the restrooms in 1979, and on April 15, 1980, the directors passed resolution that all future burials be placed in a vault.

The improvements we have seen through years are due to the efforts of many caring people.  Improvements of the cemetery began with a Home Demonstration Club project to beautify the cemetery.  The Memorial Day service was set in 1960, in connection with the church to celebrate the memory of loved ones buried in the cemetery.  The Forest Grove Church Cemetery plan was formed in 1959. 

We moved slowly at first, but people of the church and community continued to work together.  Through the efforts of these people with gifts, money, and manpower we have been able to accomplish much.

Williams Thomas Funeral  Home installed the marker at the flagpole with the date the cemetery began in 19612.  Ernest Huggins Funeral Home placed a marker on the grave of Maxey Blanton showing it as the first grave.

It is the memory of, the hope of, the prayer of, cooperation of, and the work of everyone concerned that will keep this a place of beauty and respect in which to lay us to rest as it comes our time.

Special thanks go to so many people that have been an important part of making the cemetery what is is today. First of all, thanks goes to the Blanton family for selecting this as a place to put the grave of Maxey one hundred and twelve years ago, and then, to see the loving need for it to become a cemetery for the community by giving the first two acres.  As the need grew for more land, this same family and their descendents have helped to fill the need.

When the Home Demonstration Club took the cemetery as a project to see it beautified by their love and care it began to grow, as a place of beauty  and respect for loved ones that had been, and would be laid to rest there.

Many names come to mind when we think of the work it has taken to see this happen, not just physical work but such wonderful support with finances to help the cause.

Brother R.G. Key was the pastor when the Forest Grove Church and cemetery set Memorial Day services to be held on the third Sunday in May to honor and remember the ones gone before.

Over the years we have seen many changes.  We no longer have our own lawn equipment to care for the lawn.  We have gone to a lawn care service and that has worked very well.  We receive many comments about the beautiful care that is show in the cemetery.  Money and time are spent on the upkeep of all the facilities.  Stones have been leveled and some have been cleaned.  Over the last few years we have seen our bank accounts continue to grow.  The cemetery has been a joint effort of the families and community that share a common cause to see the work that was started carried on.  many people have shared in their talents through the years for which we are thankful.

Below is a list of names of those who have had a part in the memorial programs here at the cemetery. We may be missing some names.  If you had a part and we missed your name please know that we will always be grateful for any part of you may have played.

As you walk through the cemetery today, stop and think about the people laid to rest here that had such a big hand in making it what we see today.  We must keep working and praying that there will always be some one to take the leadership and keep the work going.  Thank you each and everyone for the part you have had in this work.

As you pass this way place a thought, if not, a flower, on the grave of everyone.  That is what Memorial Day really is, a time to remember.

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