Oct. 18, 1995 - Feb. 13, 1996 - Red Cedar shirt; Black Cherry head, forearms, base, earth; Mahogany shoes and berette; Persimmon tombstones; Black Walnut pants - 16.75 x 54 x 13.5 inches
This carving was inspired by a small family cemetery in walking distance from my house. Many tiny family cemeteries in my area have been entirely destroyed by unknowing or uncaring landowners. Property changes hands. New land owners often aren't aware of tiny cemeteries located as they often are in a woods or small thicket that to the new land owner might look like a spot that needs "cleaning up".
I decided I would save this one tiny forgotten cemetery for posterity by replicating it. Since the grave stones alone didn't seem quite enough to base a carving on, I added a one half life size reclining figure. She has happened onto the tiny cemetery and is reading the story it has to tell.
There are just two tombstones in the cemetery. Here is the actual information they contain. The information on the gravestones tells a very short but poignant story.
Susan C. - wife of W. A. Bibb - born July 9, 1851 - died March 19, 1876
Claudy - son of W. A. & S. C. Bibb - born March 18, 1876 - died June 9, 1876