History of Bluffton Cemetary
Written by Caroline Smith & Merry Lee Jones
Photography by Donna Huffman
n early America, the churchyard remained the most common burial place through the end of the 1800s. While these spots are regarded as picturesque today, years ago, they varied little from their European counterparts.
Soon the movement toward creating “garden” cemeteries
spread to America. It was planned as an “oasis” on the outskirts of the city and defined a new romantic kind
of cemetery with winding paths and a forested setting. It was the opposite of the crowded churchyard and it became an
immediate success, giving rise to many other similar burial grounds in cities across the country. In fact, they became
so popular as not only burial grounds, but as public recreation areas as well. Here, people could enjoy the shaded walkways
and even picnic on weekend afternoons. The Garden cemetery would go on to inspire the American Park movement and virtually
create the field of landscape architecture.
The Bluffton Cemetery is a wonderful example of a piece of land where nature and art come together to form a resting place for our loved ones. Giant oaks covered in Spanish Moss give the property shade and a sense of reverence, and the azaleas, when in bloom, a sense of beauty.
According to Bluffton’s Episcopal Church of the Cross history, the land where the cemetery is located, (6.4 acres, on the Southern side of Highway 46, situated just west of the one-time, one-square-mile town limits) was donated in the mid 1800s by Dr. James Kirk to be used for burial purposes by the town of Bluffton.
As you walk down the paths and gaze upon the markers, many familiar Bluffton family names are chiseled into the stone. They relay dates and details of a person’s life and sometimes untimely death. Some of the headstones have words of comfort such as ,”Gone but not forgotten,” “To live in the heart of those we love is never to die,” and “Sweetly sleeping.” Each one telling us about the people who are buried beneath them. Speaking of a life once lived.
There are a few markers that seem to be literally stones and boulders. And in the case of some of the older headstones, ones that have existed for over a hundred years, it is almost impossible to interpret the writing. Kneeling in front of one of the stones, wiping away the years of grime and biological growth, I was touched, realizing it belonged to a baby boy.
There is a peaceful feeling being in the Bluffton Cemetery-one that somehow gives you a connection with the souls that have passed on.
The natural beauty of this local sacred land is due
mainly to several Bluffton citizens who gave their time and finances. Ms. Nonie Colonna Johnson in memory of her husband,
J.B. Johnson donated several dogwood trees, Savannah hollies and funds for the fence. After the planting Nonie was seen
carrying buckets of water everyday to insure the life of the new trees. Judy Kerr of the Calhoun Station and others were
responsible for raising donations to complete the fence at the street entrance.
There is a memorial garden created by local artist, Bill Maddox, in honor of his wife, Mary Ann.
Rob Dismukes from All Care Tree Service, has helped keep the oaks looking beautiful and offers clean up service at a greatly reduced price.
The Bluffton Cemetery’s Board of Directors consists of Kim Trask, Tommy Heyward, Clarence Hodge, Judy Kerr and Margaret Heyward.
Since they announced to the public that the cemetery had reached its capacity, the most recent development will be the dedication of an area for cremations.
A variety of different images are used in the carved artwork, like angels, flowers, musical instruments, crosses, clasped hands, bibles and pointing fingers. These symbols direct the mourners to look toward heaven and know that the worries of the world are now past.
My favorite are the angels, who are seen as the emissaries between this world and the next. It seems there are several in the Bluffton Cemetery that are there to offer comfort for those who are left behind.
Donations can be given for the cemetery’s maintenance to:
Bluffton Cemetery
PO Box 2156
Bluffton, SC 29910
