Independent Order of Odd Fellows of West Virginia

Memorial Day at Wadestown

by Sherman Davidson PGP

 

We also planted a Pin Oak Tree  at the Cemetery as a memorial to all Odd Fellows and Rebekahs. This tree has been there now for 2 years.  We actually had to plant two,  as someone vandalized the first one.

I bought a second tree  and brought the first one home with me to plant.  It is growing well; but will probably never be a big tree,  as they had broken the top out of the tree.

In the photo are:  Don and Glendora Headley  both members of  the Wadestown lodges.

Thanks for your article with the photos.  I have been a member more than 40 years  and we have never missed a year of holding a service at the tomb.  This has been a tradition forever.

We also have a tradition,  also of holding a church memorial service  (This year  June 7)  and it will be at the Wadestown United Methodist church.   We will be remembering  Wilma Whitaker.   We invite the family and friends of those who passed

in the previous year.  and we give them a certificate what we have done.   I don't know of any other lodge doing this

Memorial Day Observed

 

 

Odd Fellows and Rebekahs held  Memorial Day service at the Wadestown Cemetery for our departed members,  and we did have a service for deceased veterans as well. Photos are by Charlie Carman.    This was all right before memorial day.

Webmaster's note:

Okay down memory lane.  I can remember as a kid my Dad, Grandmother, and Great Uncle used to attend Odd Fellow Services at the local Cemeteries. They would go three Saturdays in May.  They would visit three local and several small family cemeteries.  They would place a flower on the grave of each deceased Brother and Sister. They had dwindled down to the point that they placed a basket at the entrance of each cemetery. By the time I was old enough to join the lodge the tradition had gone all together.  Each cemetery had a big Memorial Day event.  People and groups would come and decorate graves, Politicians would make long speeches, Ministers would follows with a Fire and Brimstone sermon.

How many of us stop and reflect on those former members contributions that have gone before us.

Thanks Sherman for sharing this with us.