News

Car crash damaged gravestones at Etowah cemetery

By Lightning Reports, Published: May 23, 2025

An automobile accident last Sept. 28, one day after Hurricane Helene struck the N.C. mountains, resulted in significant damage to several gravestones at Oak Forest Cemetery on Etowah School Road in Etowah, a non-profit small community cemetery. Family members and/or descendants of persons whose gravestones were damaged are being sought.

Damaged gravestones include:

• Mazzie Moody Orr, Dec. 3, 1906-Dec. 17, 1963, stone is broken in two pieces and knocked several yards from base. Found face down.
• Charles B. Orr, 1903-1954, Pauline G. Orr, 1913-1985, stone is chipped on upper corners with an abrasion across the front and knocked several yards from base.
• Thelma Orr Overdear, Jan. 21, 1929 - June 26, 1959. Stone is chipped and has several abrasions across the face. Knocked some distance from base.
• Shannon A. Orr, June 5, 1972-Feb 28, 2004, Son; David A. Orr, Oct. 28, 1952-Aug. 17, 2008, Father. Stone is fractured vertically from top center to 2/3 from right at bottom. one granite vase is missing from the right and fragments that appear to match are on the ground yards to the left. There is a Celtic cross necklace laid on the top front of the stone.
• Odell Owens, Dec. 29, 1904-Aug. 27, 1981; Lilie Mae P. Owens, Feb 2, 1907-July 2, 2001. Stone is fractured in three pieces and knocked from base.

Family members should contact Mary Jon Allison at junebug61839@yahoo.com

The Henderson County Cemetery Advisory Committee is reminding the public that most family cemeteries, church cemeteries and other non-profit cemeteries are not responsible for damage to gravestones. Most church cemeteries and non-profit cemeteries only maintain the grounds of the cemetery and, unless damage was the result of grounds maintenance, do not fix or replace gravestones.