Dedication
In early 2003, Henry R. Squires bequeathed more than $123,000 for a Rockwall Memorial Cemetery rehabilitation.

On Monday, May 30, 2005, more than 50 area residents and city staff members gathered around the cemetery's new fountain to remember Squires, honor his dedicated service and marvel at improvements to the 130-year-old facility.

Henry Ridgell Squires
February 24, 1913 – January 22, 2003

Henry was the son of Maude and Marvin Squires, of Bramlett, Kentucky, who settle in Fate, Texas. Henry graduated from Rockwall High School in 1931 and married the love of his life, Hazel Hawks, in 1938. He was a produce buyer for Safeway Stores from 1936 until his retirement. He also served four years of Army service in France and Germany from 1942 until 1946. Upon retirement from Safeway, Henry and Hazel returned home where Henry began a second career as a volunteer for the Rockwall County Tax office, the driver retraining program of AARP, the Mt. Zion Cemetery Association and the Rockwall County Historical Foundation. He regularly gave talks about history, culture and life in early Rockwall County. Henry will be long remembered for his great sense of humor, his quick little tap dance routine, his devotion to his church and wife, Hazel. Henry’s philosophy can be summed up as:

In the proud tradition of our forefathers
City employees spruce up Rockwall cemetery’s oldest section

The cemetery was deeded to the City by the Methodist Church in 1910. It included land that had been donated by the Boydston family.

Kay Roberson, Utility Billing Supervisor, is the city’s go-to person for information about the cemetery.

“One day last year I went out to look in the oldest section to locate a headstone,” Kay explained. “It looked awful with broken headstones, overgrown bushes and vines that had taken over some of the headstones. I’ve been over the cemetery since I started work here in 1993, but only two people have been buried in the old section all these years. I thought it needed some attention.”

Kay took her concerns to her boss, the city’s Finance Director Mary Smith, requesting to work with some of the city’s meter technicians on the “cemetery project.”

With Mary’s support, Kay and her clean-up team – meter techs Wes Watkins, Aaron Morris, Corey Morris and Jared Yancey – got to work.

“We cut some bushes back, removed some tree branches and then started repairing some of the headstones,” she said. “Some of the headstones were broken in half and some were just not level.”

They also had the help of some Parks and Recreation employees who cleared the overgrown areas next to the creek.

Jared Yancey said he enjoys working on the project because of his interest in history and old cemeteries—but most importantly because their efforts show our forefathers the respect they deserve.

“Some of the headstones were spray painted with graffiti, some were intentionally knocked over. It just showed complete disrespect,” Jared said. “It’s a good feeling to go out there and make it presentable again.”

The Rockwall Cemetery project is on-going because the meter techs only have time to work on it on Fridays and some weeks not at all, Kay said, adding that “We still have a lot of work to do, but we have repaired quite a few headstones and it sure looks better!”

For information about the Rockwall Memorial Cemetery, please call Kay Roberson at
(972) 771-7736.

“Keep Joy In Your Heart”
These Improvements to the Rockwall Memorial Cemetery were made possible by the generous donation made by Mr. Squires. May 30, 2005

"...we have repaired quite a few headstones and it sure looks better!”

“Some of the headstones were broken in half and some were just not level.”

Wes Watkins, Aaron Morris, Corey Morris and Jared Yancey – got to work.