As visitors pour into Kingfisher Cemetery for the Memorial Day Weekend, volunteers from Memory Lane, as always, will be there to help.

At least two volunteers will be on hand at the Memory Lane gazebo (just east of the cemetery entrance) beginning 8 a.m. Saturday until 4 p.m. Monday (Memorial Day).

Volunteers are there to answer questions, hand out maps and provide drinking water to visitors.

“Many times people come from out of state or even live right here, but don’t remember where a loved one or friend or just someone they heard was buried here,” said Kim Stewart, Memory Lane president.

That’s where volunteers step in.

“We have a large map on an easel that we show people the approximate section, lot and plot location of graves,” Stewart said.

“We then provide them a very small map for them to keep that we mark to assist them in finding the grave. We have some volunteers that will walk with them and try to locate the grave if they can’t find it.”

Of course, as visitors drive to the cemetery on S.H. 33, they’re driving through the actual tree-lined Memory Lane.

Memory Lane was established by the Men’s and Women’s Garden Clubs in 1942 to honor those who served in any branch of the military.

Through an agreement with Oklahoma Department of Transportation many years ago, Memory Lane – the group – agreed to manicure all grassy areas, maintain the trees and pick up all trash along the mile section.

Memory Lane pays for the labor to have the section mowed, which is about $700 each time.

“When it rains a lot, sometimes we have to mow twice a month,” Stewart said. “It can get costly.”

Memory Lane depends on donations to help fund that project.

The picturesque section took another devastating hit last fall and again this winter when an ice storm and then extended freezing spell caused further damage to the 77-year-old elm trees.

“Most all of the elm trees are now needing to be replaced,” Stewart said. “With donations, we will be able to purchase new trees a little at a time.”

All donations can be made at the gazebo or mailed to Memory Lane Inc., P.O. Box 21, Kingfisher, OK 73750.

“We want to say thank you to everyone who has supported this project all these years,” Stewart said. “We are always needing new members and volunteers. Please contact any board member if you are interested.”

Joining Stewart on the Memory Lane board are Bonnie Armstrong, vice president; Beverly Moery, secretary; Karen Kochenower, treasurer; Debbie Baldwin, historian; Vicky Jech, acting secretary.