Visit to James Theo Richmonds grave site

My first visit to the Rose Hill Cemetery, Texarkana, Texas (Bowie County). March 7th, 2007.

It was a warm March morning; with temperatures in the 60's, and heading to the low 70's that day. Birds were singing, the sun was shining brightly, and the jonquils were blooming.

The road to the Rose Hill Cemetery goes through an old, mostly abandoned, industrial area. This is a very old cemetery with many head stones dating in the 1800's. An oblong circle drive stretches the length of the cemetery, with veteran grave markers in the center of the drive.

For a decaying area, the cemetery is kept clean and neat. I could see no downed trees or limbs anywhere. The cemetery is well maintained by the city of Texarkana's Parks Department. There were many family plots dotting the area, ringed by iron or stone fences.

Theo's headstone was towards the center of the lot. Beside his plot, eight other fallen veterans lay entombed; three of which had no head stones to mark their names -- I felt sorrowful that they remained unmarked and unknown.

I cleaned away some of debris from the bottom of the headstone to reveal his passing date. Saying a prayer for him as I kneeled beside his grave, I thanked him for all the hard work, and dedication to the folks of northwest Arkansas he gave for the 25+ years he served their needs, the friendship he offered many of my Raney relatives, and the many times he counseled folks in need.