These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Files may be printed or copied for personal use only. Last Saturday was believed to have been the 40th annual working of the old Melton graveyard nine miles south of Winnfield near Iatt tower. Now, on the third Saturday every May, those who have loved ones there gather at the cemetery, not only to beautify the grounds and place flowers and shrubs on the graves, but to renew old acquaintances and to visit with friends, many of whom they haven't seen since last graveyard working.
Relatives come from other towns and even from other states for the annual affair.
The country graveyard working is as much Southern tradition as Christmas and Thanksgiving. For the Melton family and their many relatives the annual working of the cemetery is an occasion which is eagerly looked forward to the year around. They prepare for it days in advance cooking huge quantities of tasty foods of all kinds and varieties. May. The men usually get there first, bringing their hoes, rakes and shovels. Beginning their work while the morning is still cool they are usually finished by mid-morning and have the rest of the day to sit in the shade of the huge old trees and talk over past experiences.