FSH to mark cemetery's 160 years

May 7, 2012 at 9:41 p.m. | Updated May 7, 2012 at 9:41 p.m.

A headstone erected during last year's Fulton State Hospital Memorial Observance honors a Civil War veteren buried in the hospital's cemetery. This year's memorial will honor the hospital and cemetery's 160th anniversary.
A headstone erected during last year's Fulton State Hospital Memorial Observance honors a Civil War veteren buried in the hospital's cemetery. This year's memorial will honor the hospital and cemetery's 160th anniversary.

Fulton State Hospital's Cemetery Remembrance Service will begin 3 p.m. May 16. The annual service at the hospital's historic cemetery, meant to commemorate the loss of clients, and current or former staff of the hospital, will honor something else this year - the cemetery itself, coming into its 160th full year.

State Hospital chaplain Daniel Russell coordinates the event, which has happened for more than 12 years at the hospital cemetery. While each ceremony may vary in theme, the central point remains the same: To "remember with resolved dignity" clients and staff who died in the past year.

"I believe it brings dignity and respect to those who have both worked here, resided here and those also that who worked here previously or retired from here," said Russell.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.