Violet Cemetery, Osceola, Ar

I want to be buried here. Someday. Just plant my dead body in the midst of the gorgeous tulips, and I would be happy for all eternity. 

Is this not the most beautiful cemetery?

Violet Cemetery is the final resting place for early settlers, war veterans and founding fathers of Osceola, Arkansas. Obviously I won’t be allowed in. The first grave marker dated 1831 pre-dates the founding of Mississippi County and Arkansas Statehood. It’s truly a peaceful patch of heaven, smack in the center of downtown Osceola, across from the tired little post office and fire station. 

Years ago, a group of dedicated citizens formed an association to beautify the neglected cemetery. Raising funds, they re-set and repaired markers and planted violets at each grave, hence the name.  Although the violets were not blooming when I visited, the tulips were absolutely brilliant. Multiplying and spreading across the cemetery, they were nearly choking out the grave markers, pushing up through the cracks of the stepping stones, clearly thriving in this spot. Gene Robinson, an energetic resident who was devoted to Osceola, worked tirelessly to insure Violet Cemetery was added to the National Register of Historic Places. She died recently, but I bet she is smiling over these happy tulips.

Although activity has migrated toward the interstate and the new Wal-Mart, in the center of Osceola, Violet Cemetery still shines.