...Decoration Day is fast approaching when everything should be in perfect order, not only on the private lots, but in the general appearance of the whole cemetery. This is something...which should lie close to our hearts, to make the silent city of the dead the most beautiful spot in town... Let us urge the members [of the Cemetery Association to assist with the beautification], that on Decoration Day we may all gather there once more and place our offerings on the last resting places of our dear ones. It is the saddest and sweetest day of all the year.

• Decoration of graves, Mr. J.O. Russell, Master of Ceremonies.
• Music, Band.
• Invocation, Mrs. Z.T. Williams.
• Song, Choir.
• Address, Hon. Rollin Hurt.
• Music, Band.
• Address, Hon. J.F. Montgomery.
• Song, Choir.
• Address, Rev. B.M. Currie.
• Benediction, Rev. W.B. Cave.
• Music, Band.

Memorial Day
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Every Family in Columbia Represented at Cemetery Monday Afternoon
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Excellent Speeches -- Touching Music

Several years ago a cemetery committee was appointed for the purpose of keeping clean the city of the dead and to arrange for the annual decoration services on the 30th of May. and in accordance, with said arrangements perhaps two hundred people gathered in the cemetery Monday afternoon [May 30th] and placed beautiful flowers and evergreens upon the graves of the departed loved ones. We feel safe in saying that nearly every family in Columbia was represented by one or more member.

It is a touching and beautiful sight to visit a cemetery on Memorial Day, nothing more fitting and more commendable than to thus honor those we loved in life.

After the graves had been decorated, the assembly got together and listened to appropriate music and a feeling prayer by Eld. Z.T. Williams, followed by a most eloquent, touching and fitting speech by Mr. Rollin Hurt. It could not have been worded better; could not have been delivered more tenderly. At the conclusion of Mr. Hurt's oration, Rev. B.M. Currie read a well written and very appropriate paper, touching in language and sentiment. A song, "God Be with You till We Meet Again," was then rendered, the benediction by Eld. Z.T. Williams following.

As we left the cemetery we could say that our sacred dead were sleeping under beds of roses. For the excellent program rendered on the above occasion, much credit is due Mrs. Georgia Shelton.

The [Columbia] Board of Trustees is making a special effort to improve and beautify the city cemetery...Recognizing the fact that the ladies can be of great assistance to them...the board of Trustees have authorized us to make the following announcement:

A meeting of the ladies who are interested in improving and beautifying the city cemetery will be held at the office of Mrs. Shelton, in the court house, at 3 p.m. Thursday, May 14th, 1908...

Organization Perfected

On last Thursday a representative crowd of ladies assembled, in the office of Mrs. Shelton, in response to call made by the Board of Trustees, and organized the Cemetery Improvement Association. This organization is to have control of the city cemetery and will superintend and direct the efforts to improve and beautify it. By-laws, governing the association, were adopted and the following officers were elected for the ensuing year:

• Mrs. Georgia R. Shelton, President. (She was serving a term as Superintendent of Adair County Schools.)
• Mrs. W.K. Azbill, Vice President.
• Miss Sallie Baker, Secretary. (Daughter of Judge Herschel Clay and Dolly Lisle Baker.)
• Mrs. James Garnett, Treasurer.
• Mrs. (Bettie W.) Butler and Mrs. (Ellen) Wheat, Superintendents. (Mrs. Wheat was the widow of Cyrus Wheat of Montpelier General Store fame and a member of Columbia's Page family.)
• Mrs. John O. Russell, Director. (Kizziah "Kizzie" Walker Murrell Russell, a partner in Russell & Co.)
• Mrs. (Mollie J.) Hancock, Director. (Wife of Judge Junius Hancock.)

...[I]t is the belief of those who are interested in the work that a large majority of both the ladies and gentlemen of our city will become members and contribute the small sum of 50 cents per year (in membership dues) to this noble charity... We commend the undertaking and extend to the ladies the free use of our columns.