On November 9, 2003, my parents and I traveled to Sparkman Cemetery in Williamson County, Tennessee to visit the final resting place of my great-great-grandparents, Alonzo Denson Walker and Martha Daley Vineyard Walker. Sad to say, it is in a deplorable condition. It has been ravaged by vandals. Tombstones have been broken and knocked over. It's overgrown with trees and weeds. The retaining wall surrounding the graves of Alonzo and Martha is crumbling and falling down.

The kind family that lives on the farm next to it are super nice and have always welcomed us when we've visited. They have done some work to it, but it's not their responsibility to keep it maintained. In my opinion, it's the county's responsibility. And, when the county fails, it is left to the descendants.

One transcriber of Sparkman Cemetery lists the graves of A. D. Walker and M. D. Walker (Alonzo Denson Walker and Martha Daley Vineyard Walker) has being just outside of the cemetery. However, Martha's death certificate says that she's buried in Sparkman Grave Yard.

There is no marker for Alonzo and Martha. I'm not sure which one is buried in which slot or the orientation of the graves.

Pictures of the cemetery will be posted SOON!

My proposal to the descendants of Alonzo and Martha is this: Raise enough money to buy a permanent marker with their full names and dates of birth and death. If you are interested in helping preserve history and honoring your ancestors, please contact me.

Here is the family of Alonzo and Martha:

*There are some websites that list Emma's year of birth as 1904. Let's put this mystery to rest. Emma was my great-grandmother, and I had the pleasure of knowing her. She was born in 1901 and died in 2000. May she rest in peace.

Please contact me for corrections or comments.

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