IN OBSERVANCE OF
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
THE SALINA JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION COMMITTEE
PRESENTS
A MEMORIAL SERVICE AND GRAVE
MARKERS DEDICATION
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2009, at 3:00 p.m.
IN REMEMBRANCE OF FORMER SLAVES:
DANA ADAMS
DAVID TAYLOR
LARRY LAPSLEY
FANNIE AND SYDNEY DE PRIEST
at
QUAYLE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
725 COMMANCHE AVE.
SALINA, KANSAS
Rev. Bernard McFarthing, Host Pastor
Dedication of Grave Markers at Gypsum Hill Cemetery
THE OCCASION
Several years ago Judy Magnuson Lilly, Salina Historian, researched and designed a Gypsum Hill Cemetery Self-Guided Tour of thirty interesting citizens of the past who now reside at Gypsum Hill Cemetery. Among those thirty individuals were four gravesites of
ex-slaves.
Included in last year’s Salina Juneteenth Celebration activities was a Black History Bus tour which stopped to visit these former slave gravesites. Two of the gravesites were unmarked and consequently difficult to locate. The other two gravesites had upright monuments; however, after more than a century the weather had worn the lettering down to where it was barely legible.
A few weeks after the bus tour, a committee member was approached by one of the bus tour passengers. The anonymous Salina citizen was very impressed by the history of these four gravesites and felt it important enough to identify and preserve these gravesites. He offered to obtain funds to refurbish the monuments. With this generous incentive, the committee was motivated to pursue this special historical project.
When Ivan Peterson of the Memorial Arts Co. was told about the proposal, he was excited and moved. He said his company would like to participate in this very worthy project. Restoration was completed on the two upright monuments and new granite headstones were placed at the other two gravesites.
Today, we thank God that after more than 100 years, we are gathered to memorialize and recognize these individuals who are very much a part of Salina’s history and to dedicate their restored grave markers during Black History Month.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
MEMORIAL SERVICE AND DEDICATORY SERVICE
Sunday, February 22, 2009, at 3:00 p.m.
Sis. Dorothy Jones, Mistress of Ceremony
Welcome Sis. Jackie Anders
Juneteenth Chairperson
Opening Prayer Rev. Louis Winn
Pastor, New Jerusalem MBC
Scripture Rev. Dee Williamston
Song :“Lift Every Voice and Sing”
Sis. Ramona Newsom
Rev. Stephen Davison
Pastor, Living Word
The Occasion: Sis. Barbara Knight
Program Coordinator
PAST REFLECTIONS OF EX-SLAVES
Dana Adams
Minister Robert Cunningham
Loyd Memorial Church
David “Napper” Taylor
Rev. Bernard McFarthing
Quayle United Methodist Church
Sydney and Fannie DePriest
Rev. Brandon Cheeks
Minster, St. John’s MBC
Larry Lapsley
Mr. Charlie Roth
State Representative
Song “We Shall Overcome” Musicians
Remarks and Closing Prayer
Rev. Allen Smith
Pastor, St. John’s MBC
Processional to Gypsum Hill Cemetery in church vans for dedication of grave markers.
GRAVE SIDE SERVICES
Poetry read by Dorothy Jones
FANNIE AND SYDNEY DEPRIEST
Placement of Flowers and Flags and Dedication of Restored Marker by
Rev. Brandon Cheeks
Grave Site Blessing by
Father Kerry Ninemire
DANA ADAMS
Placement of Flowers and Flags and Dedication of New Grave Marker by Minister Robert Cunningham
Grave Site Blessing by
Father Kerry Ninemire
DAVID TAYLOR
Placement of Flowers and Flags and Dedication of New Grave Marker by
Rev. Bernard McFarthing
Grave Site Blessing by
Father Kerry Ninemire
LARRY LAPSLEY
Placement of Flowers and Flags and Dedication of Restored Marker by
Rep. Charlie Roth
Grave Site Blessing by
Father Kerry Ninemire
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The committee wishes to thank:
The anonymous Salina Citizen who inspired us to accomplish this historical event;
The Memorial Arts Company;
Judy Lilly for her research;
David Hardman for his art display;
Quayle United Methodist Church for hosting this service;
St. John’s MBC for use of their vans; and
All those who had a part in making this occasion possible.
SALINA JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Jackie Anders Sharol McMilan
Joe Jackson Vickie Wilcher
Bruce Lacy
MEMORIAL SERVICE COORDINATORS
Dorothy Jones Barbara Knight
