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By: Erin Smith
A family cemetery fell victim to vandalism early last year, and the caretaker, Stephen Nowell is still trying to locate some of the items taken from his family’s cemetery. The Atkinson Cemetery is located just off NC 53 between White Lake and Singletary Lake.
Nowell said the Atkinson Cemetery fell victim to the vandals about nine months ago. He is hoping that since the vandalism occurred, someone will have seen the items that were taken from his family’s cemetery.
Nowell, who is from South Carolina, said he discovered the damage to the cemetery when he arrived to cut grass and clean up around the cemetery. He said when he arrived he discovered vandals had chipped the concrete wall and removed a plaque with the inscription “In Memory of Susan A. Smith.” Nowell said this gate post/topper is homemade and unusual.
“A person or persons stole a homemade concrete cross which stood about three feet fight by two feet by four inches thick. This cross was made of concrete and pressed into the concrete were the words spelled in thin wire ‘Those Buried Here Not Known,’” said Nowell.
Nowell said the vandals didn’t stop there. He said they also took a concrete cross from the cemetery. The concrete cross was built in 1950 and was marking the area of the cemetery that contains unmarked graves, according to Nowell.
He said while he still hopes to someday find the objects taken from his family’s cemetery, Nowell added he hopes his experience can serve as a reminder to others. Nowell said everyone who knows of cemeteries that are remotely located, should keep a watchful eye on them and report any damage or suspicious activity.
Nowell said that if your family has a cemetery that is in a remote, location—pay it a visit.
“You don’t know unless you go (to the cemetery site),” said Nowell.
Nowell said the cemetery is located on private property and a police report was filed with the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office
He said he would just like to have the objects back in their rightful place. Anyone with information is asked to call the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office at 910-862-6960.
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