First known as the Natchez Colored Cemetery Association, the Watkins Street Cemetery is located at the 1300 block of Watkins Street. It came to be when 17 acres of the Old Gairads Shooting Park were legally purchased from A.E. James on March 19, 1909.

In the cemetery there are many loved ones laid to rest. Not only are there Rhythm Night Club victims and veterans, some Purple Heart recipients, but there are also headstones dating back to as early as 1908. Dorothy Hill, along with the Ameri-Corps, recorded information from the headstones. Carolyn Smith and Adair Jackson prepared a catalog from which C.M. Boxley has created a web page — www.forksoftheroads.net/cem_watkins_st.htm.

In the beginning, individual families cared for and maintained the plots of their loved ones. At the time, some may have hired others to take their portion of the maintenance of the cemetery.

A few of the caretakers, beginning in the 1940s, were Ed White, Ed Lamb, Jesse “Red” James and Alex Rollins.

In the 1960s, Professor Robinson had a crew to work in the cemetery. Later, around the 1970s, the Adams County School Youth Program, along with McKinley Barnes, Ruby Dixon, Walter Squalls, Curtis Ross, Albert Johnson, Leo Marvel and Burnette Bridgewater, would share in the upkeep of the cemetery.

Under the direction of former Sheriff Ronny Brown, inmates came to cut grass and clean the cemetery. Sheriff Brown also donated spray twice. Once he had a deputy actually come out and spray the cemetery. The county would donate dirt or pick up limbs when requested.

The Natchez Public Works built a berm around sections H and I to help control water in these areas. And they, too, will discard limbs when asked.

Due to the lack of maintenance in recent years, the cemetery became terribly overgrown. In 2005, a non-profit organization by the name of Worth Women of Watkins Street was formed.

The original officers were President Thelma White, Secretary Gloria Butler, Assistant Secretary Carolyn Smith, myself as treasurer and Rosie Hawkins as assistant treasurer.

In 2008, the Master Gardeners took it upon themselves to beautify a section of the Watkins Street Cemetery. This section is where the mass graves and the individual graves of the Rhythm Night Club fire are located. After clearing this section, they planted flowers and trees.

Another election came in 2010, and two officers changed. Birdie Wade was voted president and Annie Dunmore was elected secretary. The last election of 2011 brought about new officers too. Nellie Dottery is president and Anita Smith is secretary. Treasurer and assistant treasurer have remained the same since 2005.

Honorable mention goes to Mr. McKinley Barnes, who has been faithful as groundskeeper (paid and volunteer) since the 1950s.

Beginning in 2010, the Adams County court system and the WIN Job Center programs sent people to the cemetery for community service; also the Adolescent Offender Program sends students to do community service.

Now the time of year has come where the grass has started to grow and the trees and flowers are in full bloom. The Worthy Women of Watkins Street Association have begun volunteering their time and equipment. At this time, we are asking for any type of assistance and/or support, whether monetary or time.

Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Monetary donations are used for the purchase of supplies such as gas, string, oil, roundup, diesel, etc. In the event volunteers are few, we may have to pay labor to clean the cemetery. Again, your donations would be greatly cherished. Monetary donations can be sent to Worthy Women of Watkins Street Cemetery, P.O. Box 17893, Natchez, MS, 39122. Anyone wanting to volunteer their time or supplies may contact me at 601-445-9431 or Mr. Barnes at 601-445-8298.

We would like to thank all of those who have donated their time, money or supplies to the Watkins Street Cemetery.

Dorothy Sanders is the treasurer of the Worthy Women of Watkins Street Cemetery.