The following teaser is from the June 17, 2013 edition of the Rockdale Citizen.
COVINGTON [Georgia] — The first time Debbie Autry saw the historic family cemetery, she was about 10. It was in such a decrepit state, “I just remember thinking we ought to do something about this,” Autry said.
Autry’s late mother, Peggy, was born in Porterdale but grew up in Macon. Autry lives in Calhoun. Autry’s grandparents maintained a home on the Middlebrooks plantation, but after they died their home was sold, and the family lost its immediate connection to the area. Autry and her mother still made an annual drive, and over the years,the cemetery showed more and more ruin.
#”It was way more of an undertaking than a couple of school teachers could do,” Autry said. Besides, “Mama and I were too afraid there might be critters crawling around in there.”
#The remains of Autry’s great-great, great-great-great and great-great-great-great grandparents are buried there, along with other family members.
#Autry said she always worried the cemetery would wind up under a highway. Then she learned that Sons of Confederate Veterans camps take on cemetery clean-up projects where Confederate soldiers are buried.
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In June 2011, they held a memorial service to honor the Confederate soldiers buried there. Camp Genealogist Gene Wade researched records to create biographies on both men that were read at the service. Their research is maintained on the camp’s website, campjoewheeler.org.
