Those Who Came Before Us

Three weeks ago we read Grandma Audrey's essay about how much she liked to visit cemeteries. In case any of you readers share her enjoyment of those peaceful places, I thought we might do a little browsing of our own. (Remember to click on the images to enlarge them.) I think it's only right to start with the final resting place of Audrey herself, along with her beloved husband, Erna, then on to some of their ancestors:

Audrey L. (Smith) and Erna L. Barclay

Greenlawn Cemetery, Springfield, Missouri

Audrey's mother:  Minnie Lee (West) Brower

Greenlawn Cemetery, Springfield, Missouri

Audrey's father:  Ernest Ray Smith

Nolan Cemetery, Galena, Missouri

Audrey's maternal grandparents: 

Louisa Catherine "Lula" (Smith) and Zachariah Taylor West

Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, Springfield, Missouri

Audrey's great-grandparents: Nancy (Owens) and Isaac West

Moore Cemetery, Stotts City, Missouri

Audrey's paternal grandparents:

Amy Lucinda (Hagadorn) and Samuel S. Smith

Nolan Cemetery, Galena, Missouri

Grandpa Erna's parents:

Barclay, Martha Caroline (Mynatt) and James Daniel Barclay

Bethel Cemetery, Charity, Missouri

Erna's maternal grandparents:

Jemima (Jemiama?) Ann (Hinds) and Martin Linville Mynatt

Bethel Cemetery, Charity, Missouri

Erna's paternal grandfather: Durrett Hubbard Barclay

Atteberry Shed Cemetery, Dallas County, Missouri

Erna's paternal grandmother (wife of Durrett Hubbard Barclay):

Lucretia (Davison) Barclay

Erna's great-grandfather (father of Lucretia): Brackett Davison

Atteberry Shed Cemetery, Dallas County, Missouri

Erna's great-grandmother (mother of Lucretia):

Delilah (Hardison) Davison

Atteberry Shed Cemetery, Dallas County, Missouri

If you're a descendant of Audrey and Erna, then each of the people laid to rest under the grave markers pictured here contributed some part of himself or herself to the person you are now. It might be the color of your eyes, the shape of your hand, or even some unconscious mannerism. Think about these folks sometimes, and when you do, remember to thank them. At least for the good parts.