The individuals in this photo have loved ones buried in the Old Westview Cemetery in Wadesboro, and attended the Friends of Old Westview Cemetery, Inc.'s annual gala in Washington, D.C. Listed from left, front row, Fathia Thompson, Al Byrd, Olivia Thomas, Sandy Biles, Flo Marsh, Vannie Kirby, Crystal Edwards, Nicole Edwards, Mary Flakes Liles, Robert (Bobby) Smith, Wendy Morgan, Alexis Lawton, Saxon Graham, Barbara Graham Wallace, Barbara Bennett and Rose Sturdivant Young, president and founder. Back Row, Robert Chichester, Joseph Smith and William Frank Ratliff.

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Olivia Thomas

Secretary, Friends of Old Westview Cemetery, Inc.

The Friends of Old Westview Cemetery, Inc., a nonprofit organization located in Washington, D.C., held its Annual Holiday Gala at the Washington Navy Yard Catering and Conference Center on Dec. 8, 2012.

The ballroom was beautifully decorated for the holiday season. The DJ kept the guests on the floor all evening, dancing to the oldies. This year’s gala was like a Wadesboro reunion. Approximately 12 guests were from Wadesboro and it was fun reminiscing about old times back in Wadesboro. The FOWC gave out door prizes, which included several certificates from Giant Food Stores, and Miller’s Fur donated a certificate for one year of cleaning and storage. There were also weekend getaways from the Courtyard By Marriott-Dupont Circle Hotel in Washington, D.C.

FOWC extends special thanks to families and friends who were not able to attend the Gala, but sent a donation.

The mission of the Friends of Old Westview Cemetery, Inc., has been and is the top priority of Rose Sturdivant Young, founder and president — to restore the Old Westview Cemetery located in Wadesboro.

Young’s vision began in January 2001, when her family returned to bury their mother (Ethel R. Sturdivant) in the family plot in the Old Westview Cemetery. The FOWC reached its 11th anniversary in December 2012). Its goal remains the restoration and maintenance of the cemetery.

During 2012, FOWC hired a local landscaping company to clean the cemetery, during the summer and fall time frame. He cut and removed the overgrown grass and trees from the cemetery, which was a large improvement within portions of the cemetery. Future plans are to cut and remove excess trees throughout the cemetery, reset broken headstones, fill in sunken graves and have a fence installed around the cemetery.

However, cleaning and maintenance is an ongoing process.It is difficult to keep up with the rapid growth of grass and underbrush. The FOWC is seeking assistance to maintain the cemetery. If anyone or any group would like to volunteer their services to this nonprofit organization, please call the members of the Board of Directors in Wadesboro: Attorney Robert E. Little, Freddie Mae Bennett, Rev James Smith, Alex Gaddy, or Rose Sturdivant Young in Washington, D.C., at 202-832-2483, or email Old Westview Cemetery10@hotmail.com.

Mark your calender for Dec. 7, 2013, FOWC’s next Annual Holiday Gala.