At the end of South 210 Road lies a small cemetery that is the final resting place for many loved ones. Southwest Cemetery is located off Sharp Road, marked only by a hand painted sign near the road pointing south to the area, which sits adjacent to the Deep Fork Wildlife Refuge.
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At the end of South 210 Road lies a small cemetery that is the final resting place for many loved ones.
Southwest Cemetery is located off Sharp Road, marked only by a hand painted sign near the road pointing south to the area, which sits adjacent to the Deep Fork Wildlife Refuge.
The cemetery has been in use for many years, with some markers showing the late 1800s.
Willmer Barnett has been in charge and taking care of Southwest Cemetery since 1994, and stated the land for the cemetery was donated by W.D. Pine, many years ago.
“When I took over (1994), it looked just like that,” Barnett said, pointing to the area north of the cemetery slated for expansion. “It was a big cemetery, but it was in bad shape - full of trees and logs, but we got it cleaned up. Everybody worked faithfully and we got it done.
“This part is what we need to clean up for new burial grounds,” Barnett said, because the current cemetery is at capacity, “we can’t bury anyone else here.”
The answer to the dilemma came when he was informed that there was additional space that actually belonged to the cemetery.
“I didn’t know this part belonged to us,” Barnett said, “so we are going to get it cleaned up and make available for burial plots.”
Barnett is seeking assistance in preparing the additional space to accommodate the burial plots.
He has already secured a bulldozer and personnel to perform the work, however the cost is $1,200. Families currently pay a $25 yearly membership, with those funds going to cover the maintenance and landscaping needs for the pristine cemetery.
“I’ve been charging that since 1994,” Barnett said, but sometimes collecting the fee has been difficult.
This expansion, however, is going to need a little help from those using the cemetery and even from the community. Barnett has sent out letters to 11 churches, and received four responses.
He plans to have a fence installed himself once the cleanup project is complete.
Anyone wishing to assist can contact Barnett at 918-777-2020 or 918-777-6004; or make donations to Southwest Cemetery - Willmer Barnett, 1429 E. Randolph, Okmulgee, OK 74447.
