Ceremony held at Tecula

A historical marker was unveiled Aug. 31 at the Tecula Cemetery, honoring it as a designated Historical Cemetery of Texas. Tecula Cemetery's first burial was in 1894.

Following the annual homecoming service and lunch, the Cherokee County Commission held the dedication service.

Tecula Cemetery is a family cemetery where several generations of native families to the Jacksonville area have been and continue to be laid to rest.

Rev. Benny Walker of Taylor's Chapel Church began and ended the dedication with prayer, followed by the pledges to the American and Texas flags led by Shelly Cleaver.

Jeana Pierce Brooks read a brief history of the cemetery, which was the biography sent to Austin in order to be considered for the designation.

After Terry Guinn officially declared Tecula as a Historical Cemetery, Chase Brooks unveiled the marker with the help of Wayne Bolton.

The service was dedicated to Brady Brooks who initiated the project and worked several hours measuring, researching, and photographing stones, fences and facilities at the cemetery. He died before seeing the project completed.