Mission Statement
It is the mission of the Friends of the Restoration Tombstone Restoration Project to restore, replace, provide, and/or modify cemetery markers for gospel preachers and church leaders associated with the Restoration Movement within churches of Christ, Christian Churches, and Disciples of Christ. Our goals are as follows:
- If the person does not have a marker at all then one will be provided. In the case of an abandoned cemetery, we will work with government officials and local historical societies to provide the marker, a chain link fence to enclose it, and petition local authorities to provide upkeep for the cemetery or grave site. We will work with authorities to have the cemetery declared an abandoned cemetery so government upkeep can be provided.
- If the marker is unreadable, but in good condition otherwise, we will provide a brass plate with the tombstone inscription to be attached to the marker.
- If the marker is overturned or damaged, we will provide funds to have the foundation leveled and the marker to be set back on its base.
- Provide funds to place a historical marker on the highway marking the cemetery or grave location nearby.
In each case, we will secure family permission, if family is available, and permission from the land owner, or cemetery authorities before any work is done.
Example
James Matthew is buried near Crockett, Tate County, MS. He serviced as State Auditor for the state of Mississippi during the 1840s when his brother, Joseph Matthews was governor of the state. He was a gospel preacher who baptized Tolbert Fanning, founder of the Gospel Advocate in 1855. He is buried in a pasture behind a house. The cemetery has been abandoned and there are no visible markers. His marker was dug out of the ground. The marker needs to be repaired or replaced and a fence placed around the marker since there are livestock in the pasture. If the cemetery is declared abandoned, then the county supervisors would be authorized to provide upkeep for the cemetery. See Scott Harp's Web site for additional photos.
Limitations
Our goal will be limited just to graves associated with the Restoration Movement. The board of directors will create a list of graves and decide the priority of work to be done and provide the restoration as funds become available. Due to limited resources, the replacement markers will not be every elaborate or expensive unless the donated funds are ear-marked for a stated amount.
Contributions Welcomed
Tax deductible checks may be made out to Friends Tombstone Project and mailed to Tom L. Childers, 923 John Brown Road, Henderson, TN 38340.
