Crossett, Arkansas

Live Your Dash:  The dash may be long, but her life wasn't. She does, however, give us a clue about how she lived her dash: as "a loving wife and faithful mother." That must have been more than enough to occupy every waking hour. Lakewood Cemetery. [2018]

El Dorado, Arkansas

Give Me That Old-Time Technology:  Anyone born in the 1970s, grew up and fell in love with the computer. These kids became the most computer savvy generation ever, simply because they grew up as the computer was growing up. Their generation had to learn those dorky computer languages, and they all learned how to take computers apart and put them back together. Arlington Cemetery. [2018]

El Dorado, Arkansas

Free-Range Figurines:  What is a better symbol of a free-range spirit: an eagle or a butterfly? In this case, the butterfly is as big as an eagle, so it is hard to say which is better. Butterflies, though, with their aerial antics have become popular symbols of disembodied spirits. Arlington Cemetery. [2018]

Crossett, Arkansas

Adjacencies ~ Mills:  What is adjacent to the cemetery? The world of work, which is quite in contrast to the world which is "at rest." Here the sense of place is accentuated by the sense of smell, as well as the sense of sight. That mill is a paper mill, and that smell is the smell of the town's economic base. Many of those buried here, probably worked in that mill. Lakewood Cemetery. [2018]

Lake Village, Arkansas

Yuletide Epitaphs:  "She Gave Her Greatest Gift, Love." This holiday season, give the greatest gift of all: LOVE. Lake Village Cemetery. [2018]

Junction City, Arkansas

Voices from the Land of the Living ~ Third Person Singular Subjective Case:  "He Lived His Dream." Bethel Methodist Church Cemetery. [2018]

Crossett, Arkansas

Voices from the Land of the Living ~ Third Person Singular Subjective Case:  "She walks with God." Lakewood Cemetery. [2018]

Crossett, Arkansas

Voices from the Land of the Living ~ First Person Plural Subjective Case:  "We'll meet you in the rapture." Lakewood Cemetery. [2018]

El Dorado, Arkansas

Voices from the Grave ~ First Person Singular Subjective Case:  "I am persuaded that nothing visible or invisible can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus." What is your surmise: mother and daughter? Arlington Cemetery. [2018]

Rockport, Arkansas

January is for Palindromes:  Here's another birth in 1919 and death in 1991. Using two 9s and two 1s, how many years can you list that have already passed anno domini? Three: 1991, 1919, and 1199. Two of those years are on this headstone. Recreational mathematics: Bingo! A  Rockport Cemetery. [2012]

Hot Springs, Arkansas

January is for Palindromes:  In this case, the love of a dog for her master is reciprocated upon death. The Black Lab Mixed was born in a palindromal year, 1991, and experienced another palindromal year, 2002, before she died. Few pets can say their lives have been so palindromal!. Pet Lawn at Crestview Cemetery. [2012]

Caddo Valley, Arkansas

January is for Palindromes:  Whether you read her year of death forwards or backwards, it's still 2002. Here are all the palindromal years of the last millennium:  1001, 1111, 1221, 1331, 1441, 1551, 1661, 1771, 1881, 1991. Which one is your favorite? Wouldn't you love to have lived through January 1, 1111? Caddo Valley Baptist Church Cemetery. [2012]

Caddo Valley, Arkansas

S is for Spradlin:  The Caddo Valley is cut by the Caddo River. Like most rivers in Arkansas, it has been impounded to form a reservoir, DeGray Lake, located only a few miles from the town of Caddo Valley. In fact, the reservoir has become the raison d'être for a state park. Must be good fishin' in that lake. Must be good fishin' in all of Arkansas, which calls itself the Natural State. Caddo Valley Baptist Church Cemetery. [2012]

Rockport, Arkansas

Rest in Peace:  "Rest in Peace" is probably the most well-known short epitaph found on cemetery memorials.  It has Biblical roots and a long history, but it soared in popularity in the 1700s and remains in the mix of prayers uttered for the soul. What's worth more than a knowing glance on this headstone, though, is the name. Rockport Cemetery. [2012]

Ozan, Arkansas

Getting Ready for Mother's Day:  How would you summarize your life in just one word? How about MOTHER (in all caps)? Of all cross-cultural human values, motherhood must top the list of virtues. But, here lies not just a generic mother, but a unique individual with a personality all her own: You can see it in her signature. Mother's Day. This Sunday. Don't forget. St. Paul Methodist Church Cemetery. [2012]

Texarkana, Arkansas

Voices Silenced:  Respect from a friend as recorded in the ether: "Larry Kent died in 2003 after a four-month battle with cancer. Larry was the consummate pro, starting here in Texarkana in the early 1960s. He moved back here to run the family music store when his father died. He started his own consulting firm in 1996. Larry was a good friend and one of radio's best." State Line Cemetery. [2012]

Radio's Larry Kent

Hot Springs, Arkansas

Zoning Out ~ Review of the Model:  Remember: The character of the land use zone derives in part from the character of its edges. Here, one edge poses a question to which most would answer: 'not that tired, thank you.' Now, it's your job to identify the other three components of the cemetery's landscape: the burial zones, the grave markers, and the contiguous zones. Crestview Cemetery. [2012]

Glenwood, Arkansas

Etchographic Portraiture:  Etching has become an ever more popular way of painting portraits on granite slabs. This headstone puts the process into perspective: Her memory is etched into her survivors' hearts and her image is etched into her memorial. If you look at both sides of the marker, though, you will discover two different pictures from two different eras of her life. [2012]

You graced our lives
And touched our souls.
You danced through our
Days with love and laughter
Etching your memory
In our hearts forever.
We Cherish All You Gave Us.
Daddy and Momma

Hope, Arkansas

Photographic Portraiture:  Let's say your survivors want to remember you with a portrait on your headstone. First decision to be made: which 'you' do they want to remember? You when you were 16 and just married? Or, you when you were 64 and perhaps failing? The Garrett family chose the latter. Great choice! Just look at how full of hope those faces are. Memory Gardens Cemetery. [2012]