You can’t imagine how thrilled I was when we were officially Woods Cemetery Association. It has been my dream and passion for several years. I started the BCCPG (Benton County Cemetery Preservation Group) in the early nineties. Several local folks also had the same vision and passion to preserve and protect the cemeteries in our area. If it weren’t for the preservation group, several cemeteries would have disappeared under a bulldozer, as Northwest Arkansas is one of the fastest growing areas in the country!

Woods Cemetery has been neglected over the past 100 years! Not only is the Woods Cemetery full of history and needed “tender loving care,” but an extra benefit for me was some of my relations are buried there.

We can be thankful that the community embraces our efforts to preserve our heritage. The local sheriff’s office has been very helpful in volunteering inmates to mow and clean the cemetery. And we are very fortunate to have other volunteer groups in our area that have also helped us keep the cemetery clean & mowed.

When I get started it’s hard to get me to stop writing, but one last important thing. We are hoping to have a reunion in 2018. It will take a lot of planning and hard work, but with your help we can make it happen! Any ideas, please let me know.

I look forward to meeting all of you. Wishing you the best for 2018.

– Gary M. Black