The Peeled Chestnut Cemetery, just across the DeKalb County line in White County, is one of the oldest in the area and the final place of rest for hundreds of people.
There are veterans of every war since the Civil War buried alongside their neighbors and family members.
The facility is a free cemetery, the land donated by members of the community.
However, with a $5,000 bill coming in every month for upkeep, and monthly donations hovering around $1,000, some supporters feel that if interest does not pick up Peeled Chestnut could find itself in a bind in the future.
“We’re not sure exactly how old the cemetery is,” Peeled Chestnut board member Joe Oakley told the Review. “We know some of the graves are pre-Civil War, but the older graves aren't marked, or at least you can’t read them anymore.”
Oakley said the cemetery is still in use, and people are still interred there on a regular basis.
“There were about 11 people buried here last year, and we get 10-15 a year minimum,” he said. “It’s always been a free cemetery. The land was donated years ago, but in the last few years the donations have not kept up with the cost of upkeep.”
Oakley said that while the facility is not in immediate financial trouble, he fears that if the community does not become more involved, the
“It costs about $5,000 a year for upkeep, he shared. “At the rate the donations are coming in were not even touching a fourth of that.
“It’s not a desperate situation yet, and won’t be for a while. We have a bank account, but it will be gone in a few years if donations don’t pick up. we are living on past donations, and we can’t keep that up forever.”
Oakley said that any help would be appreciated, and those who can’t afford to assist financially are welcome to donate time and labor.
“We’re having our annual clean-up day on May 11,” he said. “anyone who would like to help is welcome to come and pitch in.”
Annual decoration for Peeled Chestnut Cemetery is set for May 19. The cemetery’s is located at 788 Peeled Chestnut Lane in Sparta.
To send a donation, make checks payable to Katelyn Looney, cemetery board treasurer, 437 Collingwood Rd., Walling, TN 38587.
The cemetery can also be found on Facebook, just search for Peeled Chestnut Cemetery.