Sweeping away years of neglect at historic cemetery
GULFPORT, Fla. - A young woman has made a neglected Gulfport cemetery her passion project. Vanessa Gray recruited volunteers to clean the property at the Lincoln Cemetery, where many African Americans and even some Civil War veterans are laid to rest.
The 22-year-old says, while she has no personal ties to those buried there, this cemetery has become a place that's close to her heart.
"I used to come here when I was a little girl all the time and put flowers back on the graves. And when I got older, I finally stopped by again and I saw what it looked like and I thought there's something that needs to be done," she explained.
Gray, who is also a former Girl Scout, is even trying to restore headstones using concrete and foam letters.
She's addressed the cemetery issues with the Gulfport City Council.
"It's a respect issue," she added. "These people deserve to be respected. They deserve to have a good resting place."