Pine Bluff, Ark. (KTHV) - After this THV Extra aired back in November, some Pine Bluff citizens are banding together to make a difference at the city's cemetery.
In Hero Central Wednesday night, we have a follow-up to a story we told you about in November.
THV's Max Seigle covered a series of reports on end-of-life issues. The last one was a piece on paupers, or people buried at graveyards with nothing to show that they are even there. But that's starting to change in one part of Central Arkansas.
It's happening at the Pine Bluff City Cemetery. We featured it in a story back in November, showing the cemetery sections for paupers with only a scarce amount of markers. That's now inspired some people in town to take on a new mission, earning a spot in Hero Central.
"I think you know, to get started..." Dede Foster said.
The conversation begins inside the Pine Bluff City Cemetery office.
"If you want names and dates?" Edgar Colvin says.
They are working on a mission to get the people listed in a cemetery records book a proper tribute to their lives. Their target is a section of about 50 paupers and part of THV profile in November.
"I just couldn't get it off of my mind, it just stayed with me so much until I just felt I needed to do something to do that," Foster said.
Life-long Pine Bluff resident Dede Foster is part of a new driving force to get stone markers for the paupers.
"God loves us all and I love these people. I don't know who they were but they were family to somebody and I wouldn't want to be in their position," Foster said.
So far, Edgar Colvin's helping her out.
"If you want something special, like an angel for instance, we can do that," Colvin said to Foster.
He brings experience making these stones and the contacts to get them.
"I will be able to get some stones at modest costs, ones that they can't use," Colvin said.
The game-plan calls for donations and more volunteers to help out.
"I feel very confident in our community, we're a loving community and I think it will happen in just a short time," Foster said.
"I like to give back a little bit, God's been really good to me and it's a way to pay back," Colvin said.
It's making this a personal mission for both involved to ensure what appears to be just grass is not.
Foster says she's planning to pledge $500 of her own money to this cause. Colvin says he can make four stones with a hundred dollars in the short-term, and they are hoping for many more down the road.
If you're interested in helping out, you can email Foster at dedefoster@yahoo.com
Or, mail in donations to:
P.O. Box 6114
"Compassionate Friends of Potters Field"
Pine Bluff, AR 71611