Austin, Texas

Defined by Our Duds:  How do we want to be remembered? Perhaps by what we wear. Many people, in fact, take at least one favorite outfit with them into the next life. No, not the outfit six feet under, the outfit on the headstone. That's the one visitors will see for all time. Here is someone who spent his life "just bummin around." In reality, he probably had a job, and he probably never dressed like a hobo. But, in his mind, that was the life he wanted to live. This month, all month, we will look at people who want to be defined by their duds. Austin Memorial Gardens. [2015]

San Marcos, Texas

Headstone Sculptures:  Perhaps the most common sculptural form found in American cemeteries is the cross. In this case, one covered in ceramic tiles representative of Hispanic culture. Hays County Cemetery. [2012]

Muleshoe, Texas

Adjacencies ~ Railroads: What is adjacent to the cemetery? Passing trains. So much for peace and quiet! But, it probably doesn't matter. These souls have departed for a more musical realm far way, while their bodies are almost re-animated by each passing choo-choo. Muleshoe Memorial Park. [2018]

Amarillo, Texas

The Last Shall Be First, and The First Last:  It is the third day of the new year, so we are ready for our third Z name: Zimmer. It is of German origin and one of the more common Z names. Most Zimmers in the U.S. came via the Pennsylvania migrations, but there is a chance this couple's origins are in the Texas Hill Country, well south of where they are buried. Llano Cemetery. [2018]

Amarillo, Texas

Yuletide Epitaphs:  "Unto Us A Child Was Born. Unto God an Angel Given." Just like Jesus, all children arrive in this world as gifts from God. Llano Cemetery. [2018]

Austin, Texas

Voices from the Land of the Living ~ Third Person Singular Subjective Case:  "She gave of herself." Austin Memorial Park Cemetery. [2015]

Bastrop, Texas

Voices from the Land of the Living ~ Third Person Singular Subjective Case:  "He brought sunshine." Fairview Cemetery. [2015]

Austin, Texas

Voices from the Land of the Living ~ First Person Plural Subjective Case:  "We'll never forget your LOVE." Evergreen Cemetery. [2015]

Midland, Texas

Voices from the Land of the Living ~ First Person Plural Subjective Case:  "We will always love you. Papa & Mama." Fairview Cemetery. [2018]

Lamesa, Texas

Surname Initials as Identifying Logos ~ G:  The letter G is the 17th most frequently used letter in the English language. Here, knowing that it can be seen from afar, the initial clings to the tree which shades El Baby's grave. That's thinking outside the casket (which is simply another word for 'box')! Dawson County Cemetery. [2018]

Bastrop, Texas

Surname Initials as Identifying Logos ~ B:  The letter B is the 20th most frequently used letter in the English language. Here it is embedded in a shield of the type one would carry into battle. Or, imagine that shield at the end of a spoon's handle, marking ownership of exquisite flatware! Fairview Cemetery. [2015]

Lamesa, Texas

Bequeathed to the Living ~ Biker Wisdom:  "Live to Ride." Dawson County Cemetery. [2018]

Hereford, Texas

What Happened on 14 June 1777?  The United States adopted a national flag that came to be known as 'old glory.' On this headstone, in full color, it takes up almost half the space available. What will future generations conclude when they find so many flags etched into solid granite in cemeteries across the United States? West Park Cemetery. [2017]

Austin, Texas

Voices from the Grave ~ First Person Singular Subjective Case:  "I am thankful to the Lord." And, so, her soul was saved, and "her spirit will live on forever in out hearts and minds." Evergreen Cemetery. [2015]

Midland, Texas

Voices from the Grave ~ First Person Singular Subjective Case:  "Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth and danced the skies on laughter-silver wings. Put out my hand, and touched the face of God." The words are from a poem written by John Magee, a Royal Canadian fighter pilot in World War II. Fairview Cemetery. [2018]

Earth, Texas

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the United Methodist Church:  What planet has the most United Methodists? Earth. What state has the most United Methodists? Texas. The two buried here must have been members of the Earth United Methodist Church located in Texas. In fact, they were probably members in 1968, when the merger of the Evangelical United Brethren and the Methodist Episcopal Churches took place. [2016]

Lamesa, Texas

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the United Methodist Church:  With these words two denominations came together on April 23, 1968: "Lord of the Church, we are united in Thee, in Thy Church and now in The United Methodist Church." The union took place when the two bishops shook hands in Dallas, Texas. What were the two denominations that came together? Stay tuned. Dawson County Cemetery. [2018]

Lamesa, Texas

The Last Supper:  Gathered around what would become our contemporary communion table, the twelve disciples take one last meal with the Master. We know who they are because Leonardo identifies them by name in his notebooks. Lundy's Lane Cemetery. [2013]

The disciples identified by name
Source: Dom Donald

Earth, Texas

One True Love ~ A Man and His Tractor:  "I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil - This is the gift of God." Ecclesiastes 3:12-13. Earth Cemetery. [2016]

Brownfield, Texas

One True Love ~ A Man and His Tractor:  Of all the things he could have chosen to put on his memorial, he chose his tractor. Or, do you think it was his survivors who made the choice? One thing to look for whenever you see a tractor on a tombstone: Is the driver present or absent? Brownfield Cemetery. [2016]