About Our Cemetery
Although the exact date of the creation of the Lonoke Cemetery is unknown, we know that it has been in existence for over 145 years. The earliest recorded date in the city's history was April 10, 1879 when the Lonoke Democrat reported that the first tombstone had been placed at the new cemetery.
Since 1879, 32 mayors, 9 Lonoke County Judges and over 225 veterans have been buried at the Lonoke Cemetery as well as several people of interest. Among those of interest include:
• Captain William Robert Mccrary moved to Lonoke in 1872 and established himself in the mercantile trade. His family's influence in business and in the community of Lonoke has survived for over 150 years.
• John Calhoun England, appointed private secretary to Lonoke native Governor J.P. Eagle in 1887, laid out the town of England, Arkansas which was named in his honor.
• Elizabeth Jane Burns High, born in South Carolina in 1838, is a descendant of the Scottish poet Robert Burns. Her second husband, I.C. Hicks, was the first mayor of Lonoke.
• Jim Lee Howell played professional football for the New York Giants, later became their head coach. He led the Giants to a National Football Championship in 1956.
• Elsijane Trimble Roy, born in 1916 in Lonoke, was a woman of firsts. She was Arkansas' first woman circuit judge, Arkansas' first woman Supreme Court Justice and Arkansas' first woman Federal Judge.
From the late 1800's until 1980, the Lonoke Cemetery was maintained by the city of Lonoke. In October 1980, a group of interested citizens met to discuss the formation of a cemetery association, which would replace the city of Lonoke as the legal entity responsible for the cemetery. At that meeting, a Board of Directors and Officers were elected to spearhead this group. Richard "Dick" Bransford was elected President (an office which he held until his death in 2015). In 1981, after being incorporated and recognized as a non-profit organization by the Internal Revenue Service, the city of Lonoke conveyed to the Lonoke Cemetery Association all of its interest and equity in the Lonoke Cemetery, approximately 12 acres of land. The cemetery was enlarged in 1985, when the Eagle family donated 5 additional acres.
Our Pavilion
Creating a Peaceful Area for You and Your Loved Ones
Since incorporated, the Lonoke Cemetery Association has worked diligently to raise the necessary funds to maintain the Lonoke Cemetery. With the help of generous donors, a pavilion was built in 2013 at the east end of the cemetery just off Kirk Street. It has been a peaceful gathering place for many families as they say their final good-byes to their loved ones.
As we continue our journey in the 21st century, it is more important than ever, that we impart to future generations the importance of maintaining our beautiful cemetery. If not our children and our children's children, then who? Afterall, as stated by this unknown author, "A cemetery is a history of people, a perpetual record of yesterday and a sanctuary of peace and quiet today. A cemetery exists because every life is worth loving and remembering - always!"