Three men are in charge of cleaning up the cemetery — Tom Weldon, a church member, Freeman S. Rivers, of Bethel AME Church, and Paul Witherspoon, a descendant of a Salem church member who is buried in the African-American cemetery.

Less than two years ago, the cemetery was covered in brambles, bushes and tall trees. Since that time, several clean up efforts have been made, clearing away the broken down fence, weeds and tree stumps. Rivers said there is still much to be done.

“You can get to it now, and the really big problems such as the tree trunks have been cleared away,” he said. “It just needs some housekeeping, and we would love to start planting grass and flowers.”

That is where the fund comes in. The Salem Black Historical Cemetery fund, through Citizens Community Bank, will pay for upkeep and greenery as the cemetery is cleaned. Rivers said $150 is in the fund, and contributions are appreciated.

“Whether you are a family member, a friend or inspired by history or the cemetery,

it would be wonderful if you could donate to this cause,” Rivers said. “There is so much history here that needs to be respected.”

The cemetery is a historical landmark, as it has graves that date back to the 1880s and 1890s. Rivers said many of the graves were unmarked, or marked by wooden crosses or stones that have worn away or been moved, so identifying people who are buried there is nearly impossible, unless family members, such as Witherspoon, speak up.

“If you think you may have family there, we want to know,” Rivers said. “At some point, we would like to put a marker honoring those buried in the cemetery up.”

Rivers said the Hahira and Lowndes County historical societies have been helping to find who might be buried in the cemetery, but it is imperative for family members to tell who is buried there. Rivers said he, Weldon and Witherspoon have been trying to reach out to the African-American communities in both Lowndes and Cook Counties, as the cemetery is close to the county lines.

Rivers also said that a clean up effort is being set up for April, but anyone who wants to do their own clean up at the cemetery can do so.

“We don’t have to be there,” he said. “Any help, at any time, is very much appreciated.”
 

For information on the cemetery, people can call Rivers at 229-794-3508