03/22/2021
REESE CEMETERY ASSOCIATION, INC.
A 501C(13) Tax Exempt Organization
MARCH 2021 NEWSLETTER
Homecoming:
We were hopeful that we would be able to have the Reese Homecoming in May. However, the current CDC guidelines for gatherings states:
“CDC continues to recommend that large gatherings be avoided, particularly those in which physical (social) distancing cannot be maintained between people who live in different households…..”
The RCA officers met on 3/18/21 to discuss our options for Homecoming. We decided for the protection of all concerned that it best to cancel the homecoming this year. We will hold the event next year on May 7, 2022 if there are no CDC guidelines restricting gatherings at that time. We will let you know more about the event next year as we get closer to May. After next year, future Reese Homecomings will be held during even numbered years (2024, 2026, etc.).
Elections:
Officer terms are normally two years in length and elections occur at the Homecoming event every two years. When the RCA officers met on March 18th, they agreed to extend their terms for one year. They felt due to the unusual circumstances this year has presented the nation, the extension of our terms was the most prudent decision since the Homecoming is cancelled. The next election will occur at the next Homecoming on May 7, 2022.
Reese Cemetery Condition:
Grounds maintenance continues as always, however, we continue to need your help in maintaining the monuments and any fill or leveling needed around the graves of your loved ones. We also need your continued efforts to clean up & remove any old flowers/stands or other temporary memorials around gravesites while remembering that we have no garbage pick-up service at the Cemetery. In addition, your efforts to do some levelling of any mounds that are necessarily left after burials as the mounds add complications for mowing.
Burial Plot Reservations:
Please contact Charles Etheridge in event of any need/desire to reserve burial plots. For an immediate need when Charles is not available, please contact Patty Spenla. Contact info for both is provided below.
Needs:
This Association has been fortunate to have the support of numerous individuals over the life of the Cemetery and Community Center and its financial condition is good. Your continued donations are a terrific way to honor special persons in your life and will further enable quality care, maintenance and improvements at the Cemetery.
US Hwy 175 Changes:
The initial preparation for the widening of Hwy 175 & its only effect on the cemetery will begin soon with the movement of utilities to the south side of the highway. Utility lines will pass over the cemetery on the north side, and we will have one utility pole that will be suitably located for the cemetery. The work may give us an opportunity to clear some land for future growth. Hopefully, we will be able to work with Cherokee Co. Electric Co-Op to perhaps remove a few trees.
Long Term Reese Cemetery Association, Inc.
In our last newsletter, we discussed our thoughts on the long-term survivability of the cemetery and its finances. As with then, the future for continued growth of the RCA’s assets is still expected barring any major unforeseen expenses, or investment losses. Sound management and continued good fortune with financial markets will hopefully be in our favor. Our investments have done well the last couple of years & we expect them to continue on a prosperous path.
We do have some anticipated improvement projects being considered that may require some major expenditures. Below are some of the improvement projects we have identified. As we begin to engage in these projects, we will let you know if additional funds are needed through donations.
Improvement Projects for the Cemetery:
o Fence Maintenance & Repair or Replacement.
o New Survey of the Property, especially on the West End
o Deterrent against Wild Hogs
o Road Repair/Maintenance
o Timber Clearing/Removal for additional gravesites
o Contingencies
Your support for the cemetery and its improvements is greatly appreciated and always accepted.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Donations/Burials:
Reese Cemetery Association, Inc.
c/o C. O. Etheridge, Treasurer
123 Dogwood Lakes Circle
Bullard, TX 75757
Email: [email protected]
Mobile Ph: 903.738.3785
General Information:
Patty Spenla, President
414 County Rd 3415
Jacksonville, TX 75766
Email: [email protected]
Mobile Ph: 903.721.0284
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Current Board of Directors:
Patty Spenla, President
Charles O. Etheridge, Treasurer
Karen Colvin, Secretary
