Summerville, South Carolina

Only the Good Die Young: She barely completed two decades on earth. She should have completed at least eight. You know how much her family still misses her every day. Look at the year she died and the year this picture was taken [in brackets at the end of each caption]. Someone is still decorating the grave. Maybe time doesn't heal all wounds. Summerville Cemetery. [2012]

Batesburg, South Carolina

The First Shall be Last, and The Last First:  Say "Andrew's Son" real fast three times, and you will end up saying Anderson. Now, say "Andrew" fast three times, and you will end up saying Ander. Unlike names that are highly localized, the Anderson name is ubiquitous. Haven't we all known an Anderson? In the British Isles, "Andrew's son" was very common because of the popularity of St. Andrew. He brought Christianity to England, and his cross is on the UK flag, Of course, the origin may be Nordic as well, perhaps as Andersen. Amick Grove Pentecotal Church Cemetery. [2018]

Batesburg, South Carolina

Free-Range Figurines:  They must have been a farm family, in love with their animals and now missed by them. They must have been in love with each other too, judging from the overlapping hearts. Amick Grove Pentecostal Church Cemetery. [2016]

Columbia, South Carolina

Headstone Sculptures:  In cemeteries, the lion shall lie down with the lamb. Take any cemetery, and there you will find lions and lambs, often buried right next to each other. Cemeteries are among the most conflict-averse places in the world. Elmwood Cemetery. [2016]

Summerville, South Carolina

Footprints ~ On the Flag:  But maybe not your footprints! Recognize the university emblem? Summerville Cemetery. [2012]

Columbia, South Carolina

'The Twelve' and Their Cemetery Namesakes ~ St. Peter:  It is not surprising that churchyards and religious cemeteries often take the names of the twelve disciples, or at least some of them. Cemeteries are often named after Peter: 'the rock' on which the church was built, 'the first called,' and the first Pope. The mental image of Peter holding the key to the Kingdom is perfect for those imagining the afterlives of departed loved ones. St. Peter's Cemetery. [2016]

Summerville, South Carolina

January is for Palindromes:  Here's someone who wasn't born in a palindromal year, but he was
"born again" in one. In fact, during his short lifetime, he saw two palindromal years, something that has not been possible for a millennium. 2002 was one of those years. What was the other? Now that you've got the pattern, what was the only palindromal year of the 19th century? the 18th century? Would it have been possible for someone's lifetime to encompass both of those palindromal years? Summerville Cemetery. [2012]

Batesburg, South Carolina

Twas the Week Before Christmas:  This is how we imagine the Holy Family: Mary and Joseph as a young woman and an old man. If Mary were not in her early teens when she gave birth to Jesus, that would be a surprise since it was the custom at the time for women to marry young. As for Joseph, there seems to be little reason to think he was much older than Mary. Men married young, too. Joseph may have been a few years older than his bride, but not decades (as suggested by this figurine). Amick Grove Pentecostal Church Cemetery. [2016]

Jedburg, South Carolina

Gone Fishing:   For him, a boat and a fishing pole. For her, a rocker and yarn. Therein may lie the secret to a happy marriage! Jedburg Baptist Church Cemetery. [2012]

North Charleston, South Carolina

Animalia Mollusca Gastropoda ~ Knobbed Whelks:  There are 81,000 species of mollusks on planet earth. You will find some, including the knobbed whelk, in cemeteries. Carolina Memorial Park. [2014]

Columbia, South Carolina

Countries of the World ~ Holland:  Because of its mastery of the world ocean, Holland became the dominant global power of the seventeenth century. Today, Holland is one of the provinces of the Netherlands, but both names are used interchangeably. Now to the headstone: What's so unfitting about it? The name is Holland, but there is not a flower in sight, not even a green blade of grass. So unlike Holland! Elmwood Cemetery. [2016]

Summerville, South Carolina

Just for Fun:  You know what everyone is looking forward to this week: April Fools Day! Better make some plans for Friday! In fact, why not visit a nearby cemetery and find the funniest headstone there. And when you come up with your favorite, don't try to figure it out. Just enjoy it! Summerville Cemetery. [2012]

North Charleston, South Carolina

Cynophilia:  There's always room for the family pets, even when the memorial marker is small. Here's the question: Who reigned supreme in this household? The King and Queen, of course! Their servants were the bipeds, who must have been real cynophiles. Carolina Memorial Gardens. [2012]

Charleston, South Carolina

Singling Out Historical Cemeteries:  Historical markers are used by state and local governments to single out cemeteries of cultural significance. Not only is Magnolia Cemetery old, it is also on the site of a Southern plantation that dates back to 1784. In fact, the plantation house now serves as the cemetery office. In addition to being marked by the State of South Carolina, Magnolia Cemetery is on the National Register of Historic Places. Magnolia Cemetery. [2012]

James Island, South Carolina

Flying the Flag after Veterans Day:  Faithfulness and patriotism go together on so many memorials. This headstone appears to have been designed by the pre-dead. Presumably still alive, this couple has taken the opportunity to shape the narrative that will shape the world's view of them long after they are gone. Sometimes that task is left to survivors. Presbyterian Church Cemetery. [2012]

Charleston, South Carolina

Symbolizing Hope:  Because they needed more room for burials, the congregants of Charleston's German Evangelical Lutheran Church purchased Bethany Cemetery in 1856. After that, headstone lexicon began to appear in German.  The symbolic language, however, spoke across linguistic divides. Today, Anglophones may not be able to read the inscription, but they are able to read the anchor. Bethany Cemetery. [2012]

Jedburg, South Carolina

From Adam's Rib:  Do the math: They were high school sweethearts. When married, he was 17 and she had just turned 16. Young, yes, but, the union lasted almost 42 years. Until death did they part. When the day comes, her remains will be interred to the left of her husband. Jedburg Baptist Church Cemetery. [2012]

Ladson, South Carolina

Precious Lord Take My Hand:  Oops! Look again. This one reads: "The Lord is My Shepherd" Always expect the unexpected. Trying to figure this out? Read posts for the entire week! Cherry Hill Cemetery. [2012]

Summerville, South Carolina

Halloween Goeth:  The eve of All Saints' Day is over, but the holiday itself is here. All over the Christian world, but not in the United States, families will take flowers to the graves today to celebrate the earthly lives of departed souls. Tomorrow is All Souls' Day, the last day of Hallowmas, after which all living souls will turn their attention to Christmas. Summerville Cemetery. [2012]

Summerville, South Carolina

Zoning Out ~ Review of the Model:  Analysis begins with disaggregating the individual elements that make up a whole. A cemetery's elements number four: (1) the burial zone, (2) the grave marker, (3) the contiguous zone, and (4) the land use zone. Look at (or imagine) each one of them individually, make your observations, then move on. The next step is synthesis: How do the individual elements relate to each other and to the world around them? Which one of the four elements is illustrated here? And, are there more refreshments coming? Summerville Cemetery. [2012]