A Good Man Has Gone

This is the only stone I have found with the heart in hand symbol. I think its pretty neat looking.

Located at Ruddick Cemetery in Garfield, AR.

There are two symbols here.

The 3 Chain links with F L T inside is the symbol for the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

The heart in the hand symbolizes a few things. It is the symbol of charity, given from the heart. It has been used by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Shakers, and is often associated with the Amish community. I have also seen it mentioned that the Masons used this symbol, but I haven't found any documentation of it anywhere.

A Good Man Has Gone

Aaron L.

Ricketts

Died

June 7, 1893

Age 66 years

The stone carvers name is at the bottom right corner of the stone.

L. Kelly

Brightwater, Ark.

My Little Graveyard Bunny And Our Trip To Ruddick Cemetery

My little one asked me the other day if we could go out and wander around a cemetery together.  Of course I said heck yeah. So we headed out to Ruddick and Union Chapel Cemetery in Garfield, AR.

 Here are a few interesting pics I took.

Here she is taking down names and dates. I love this picture! How could I not when two of my favorite things come together in a photograph?

This particular stone was really neat.  I will show it better in my next post. 

We thought these two looked like fairy rings around the unknown grave markers. 

I look at this one every time I go to Ruddick Cemetery because its such and interesting and unique marker.  Just wish I knew who resided beneath it.

The way this cemetery is laid out it has Ruddick Cemetery in the Front and Union Chapel Cemetery is in the very back part. This is the bell that marks the beginning of Union Chapel Cemetery.

Union Chapel Cemetery

Graves from Beaver Lake reservoir moved here August 1961

Bell purchased in 1902 for church and school in Mundell

Community relocated as a memorial July 1966.