Taking advantage of the last Friday night opening of the season, we booked our spots for the "Facts and Fables Flashlight Tour" at historic Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh. This tour focused on the magnificent and unique monuments that dot the grounds, which is like watching a thrilling movie in real life.
There are great mysteries, like the story of the gentleman who bought a massive monument and gravesite for him and his female companion (complete with names on the stone), yet for some reason was never buried next to her. We learned about symbolism, including what a half tree monument represents (a life cut short). There was the heartbreaking story of Elizabeth Edwards, who is buried next to her son Wade. After 16 year old Wade died in a tragic Jeep accident, Elizabeth would come to his graveside and read his required high school assignments to him.
On the way from story to story, we happened upon other notables, like the grave of Jim Valvano, which of course has an NC State logo and a V Foundation hat.
Two days after our tour, the News and Observer did a "Tar Heel of the Week" story on Robin Simonton, Oakwood's director who led our tour. She has done an extraordinary job of sharing the stories of beautiful Oakwood Cemetery to ensure they are remembered long after they are gone.
http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/10/19/3296142/she-strives-to-bring-oakwood-cemetery.html
When the tours start up again next spring, I highly recommend you look into reserving your spot.
Foster
Radio 96.1
**Simonton Photo is the property of the News and Observer**
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