The annual stockholder’s meeting of the Cimarron Valley Cemetery Board will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 27, at the Lacy Community Center.

All interested persons are encouraged to attend, reported board secretary Cathy Sturgeon Howard (405-368-8927) of Lacy.

Other board members are President George White, Vice President Robert Buford, Treasurer Abbie Ashley and member Charlene Choate.

The cemetery is located two miles west and 2 1/2 miles north of State High-way 51.

It was established by pioneers in the early days of Oklahoma Territory and is the largest rural cemetery in the area around Lacy, reported Howard, who lives there and is related to some founders of that cemetery.

She said Lacy cemetery board members have been proud to report for years that: “Unlike many cemeteries which are mowed just before Memorial Day, Cimarron Valley Cemetery receives mowing and upkeep throughout the year.”

Dr. Sturgeon Wrote History of Cemetery

Howard shared this excerpt from an article written by Dr. H. Violet Sturgeon in 1952: “The Cimarron Valley Baptist Church was organized on May 10, 1891. In November of that year 4 acres of land was donated to the church for a cemetery by Robert Callison, James Brittain, George W. Sturgeon and Arthur McElwain.

“The first bodies to be interred in the cemetery were two little boys, the young sons of James Croft and Richard H. Sturgeon.

“Since then, many people, including many war veterans, have been buried there. This means that many hearts are fondly tied to this tiny plot, which is so thickly sewn with departed loved ones.

“The Board, which has cared for the cemetery, has been loosely woven. It’s reported that George W. Sturgeon, who, with a team of mules and a plow, marked off the first 200 lots as plotted by a Mr. Grathe.

“In 1917, a committee was formed to fence the cemetery.

“In 1937, stockholders of the Cimarron Valley Cemetery met and completed an organization calling itself the Cimarron Valley Cemetery Association. Jim Sturgeon was elected chairman of the board, Alva Bowles was the vice chairman, William Cottom was treasurer, and George Suit was member.

“Maintenance has been by voluntary contributions. The board wishes to express appreciation for the wholehearted community cooperation.”

“Our goal is to maintain the cemetery as a beautiful and peaceful eternal resting place for our loved ones and an enjoyable place for relatives to visit.

“It is our hope that the younger generation will step in and help assume the responsibility of the cemetery.”

Dr. Violet Sturgeon Minton, 72, died April 29, 1980, and her remains are buried at Lacy’s Cimarron Valley Cemetery.