Our History
Our History
The cemetery maintenance committee was established in 1953 to not only preserve and maintain the cemetery but to also preserve the history of the African-American community in Casscoe, AR. The organization was founded by descendants of slaves who settled in the Keaton township farming community. They were parishioners of Wofford Chapel Missionary Baptist Church who wanted to sustain the beauty and heritage value of the cemetery for future generations. The identity of the cemetery is connected to the Church, and provides a connection to the history and legacies of many Casscoe families.
In 1984 the Arkansas County Extension Homemakers Council published a list of Wofford Chapel Cemetery markers information based on research conducted by America Jones, Eloise O'Neal, Sciopio Wofford, and S.V. Clemmons. Their research discovered Lafette Holmes and the daughter of Birt Vinson were among the first persons buried.
In 2001, a committee chaired by Lynette Pickett McGee installed THE ARCH gateway entrance. It symbolizes the accomplishments of the men and women buried at the cemetery's heart. They helped establish the Casscoe community.
On October 8, 2005, Arkansas archeologist Martha Rolingson visited the cemetery and completed an Arkansas Archeological Survey (State Site No: 3AR208). Rolingson was escorted by Deara Geans Threet (niece of Ruth Gunnell) and her father, O.C. Geans. The survey documents that Ruth Gunnell was also one of the first persons buried here in 1928, along with 30 or more unmarked graves.
In 2006, the organization received tax-exempt status under section 501(c)13 in the name of Wofford Chapel Church Cemetery Maintenance Organization. As a non-profit, the organization gets voluntary contributions whose funds are irrevocably dedicated to the cemetery’s care as a whole.
In 2010, The Citizens for Immanuel conducted the African-American Cemeteries Project that included mapping the graves, documenting headstones and unmarked graves. For many, the cemetery and Church are all that remain of their culture and heritage. It provides evidence of a community that once existed. The cemetery is a valuable resource that can tell the stories of the past that present and future generations can learn of their family heritage rich with cultural interests.
