Youree Chapel and Scott Cemetery - Part 2

Two of the large Scott tombs in the Scott Cemetery near Marshall, Texas

The above photo illustrates the meticulous grooming of the cemetery grounds.  

This group of graves has had concrete borders poured around them

with space for planting within the forms.  

They each had fresh pansy plants and also were decorated with greenery and red berries 

in observance of the recent Christmas season.

A sweet angel stands vigil over the grave of Mary Rose Scott who died in 1909 at the age of 16.

A closeup showing more detail of the statue shows that the fingers of the angel's right hand have broken off.  She is, after all, over 100 years old and resides in a very moist and warm climate.

There seems to be some confusion in the details of this tomb's inhabitant.  The Texas Escapes website states  that this is the grave of Mary Smith, a widow from St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, who married W.P. (William Pinckney?)  Rose in 1817.  However, the inscription on the carving states 

"Mary Rose Austin, Beloved Wife of Edward H. Randolph, 

whom she loved with her whole heart

April 24, 1919"

Maybe my next trip to the cemetery will resolve my curiosity as to who was this lady's husband, Mr. Rose or Mr. Randolph?  Or perhaps she wed Mr. Randolph after Mr. Rose died in either 1850 or 1851 (again some confusion).

But what about the 1919?  A woman who was a widow and married again in 1817 would not be alive in 1919.  Or was the monument erected in 1919?  

I'll probably never know the answers to these questions.

Whoever Ms. Austin's husband was, Mr. Rose or Mr. Randolph, she has earned a prominent spot at this beautiful East Texas cemetery.

The Youree Chapel and the Weeping Angel statue (also known as the Angel of Grief) featured in yesterday's post were both constructed in 1904 after the death of William Scott Youree in Monterrey, Mexico.

Perhaps I'll return in the spring because there are several tulip trees (sometimes called Eastern Magnolias but we call them tulip trees here in Texas; although beautiful, they bear absolutely no resemblance to our huge Southern Magnolias) and I'd love to see them in bloom amongst all these breathtaking monuments.  You can see a few remaining dried blossoms on the tree on the left.

Several of you asked if I went inside the chapel.  The answer is no because it is locked.  There is a number to call for information and I believe it is often used as a venue for weddings.