The Basin Springs Cemetery Association held its bi-annual General Meeting and Cemetery Cleanup on Saturday, April 6, 2024. The meeting was open to all interested and held on Brooks Lane in Sadler. The meeting was called to order by Barbara Gotcher, president.
The Association discussed items that will need to be researched further, including the paperwork needed to submit to the state for a Historical Cemetery Recognition, the need to secure the cemetery to prevent vandalism, reimbursing the volunteers for gas money for mowing and marking unmarked graves with something more permanent.
The meeting was adjourned and the group moved to the cemetery to begin spring cleanup. Brad, Wyatt and William Watson took over the lifting, leveling and straightening of many large tombstones.
Rebekah, Sarah and Miriam Watson cleaned up around the stone areas with dead grass including cutting grass around the stones. Mark Nelson, Chris and Robert Schuttler and Jim Anderson cleared low-hanging branches. Christina and Emma Schuttler, Carol Coleman and Susan Moody picked up trash and sprinkled ant poison where needed.
In the process of picking up trash, a broken tombstone was discovered partially sticking out of the ground with only a verse on it – no names, but two additional unmarked graves were also found in that area – from the size of the graves it is thought to be those of a toddler and two babies.
Cleanups are held twice a year on the first Saturdays of April and October beginning with a meeting open to all interested parties at 9 a.m. at the Moodys’ on Brooks Lane. The fall meeting and cleanup will be held Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 9 a.m. Families and friends of those buried at the cemetery are encouraged to attend both the meetings and the cleanups.
The cemetery has a Facebook group page and an email, [email protected], for those who would like to get in touch with the board electronically. Mail and donations can be made via PayPal or mailed to the cemetery’s Post Office box at Basin Springs Cemetery Association, Attention Treasurer, P. O. Box 25, Sadler, TX 76264.
In order for donations to be considered for the 2024 tax season, all donations must be postmarked by December 31, 2024. The cemetery has 501(c)13 not-for-profit status – receipts for donations are given to all donors. Current needs for the cemetery upkeep are bags of concrete; small, flat grave markers for those unmarked/unknown graves; fire ant poison; tombstone cleaner and assistance during the mowing period. Please contact the board if you are able to help.