Yesterday, I was finally able to order Jessie's headstone. With many thanks to the Rodgers Funeral Home in Coldwater, MS, we are getting a large, grey, slate stone (4 feet hight 3 feet wide, base is 5 feet long) with a color photograph and two vases on each end. The back of the stone will have Hemphill etched on it, facing Highway 51, along with an eagle flying with the rising sun. The front of the stone, will have Jessie's full name, dates, and a verse from her song "Lord Help the Poor and Needy". It will take about 6-8 weeks, at which time we will organize an unveiling celebration. Timing wise, it looks like it will be early July before the stone is installed, marking the 1st anniversary since Jessie's passing.
We are especially grateful to Shonda Warner, who paid for the remaining balance of the stone and the Rodgers Funeral Home, who donated about $1500 worth so that we could get a larger stone with the little money we had. Thank you also to everyone who donated to Jessie's funeral fund last summer.
More news will follow soon...
