By Traci Chapman
Managing Editor
Historic Beecham Cemetery will hold its annual meeting and fundraiser May 7, an event that is open to the public.
“The community is invited to attend to learn about our improvement projects and the history of our cemetery,” Vice President Kimmy Moore said. “Our fundraiser will be a raffle, and lunch will be potluck so bring cash and a dish for sharing.”
The organization is in need of raffle items, including gift cards and new or gently used items; funds raised help maintain the historic cemetery, which is privately maintained as a nonprofit.
The Saturday, May 7 lunch meeting and fundraiser will be held at 3101 Shortgrass Road in Edmond and will also be broadcast virtually, Secretary Jane Moore said. Lunch begins at noon, with the meeting scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.
To request virtual access or for more information, contact Moore via email at ir.janemoore@yahoo.com.
Beecham Cemetery has served Okarche and El Reno communities since 1891. The site was part of 160 acres of farmland granted to cemetery founders Nathan and Almira Beecham. The cemetery came into existence during a diphtheria epidemic that killed several area children, including an estimated 20 children buried together in a mass grave, Kimmy Moore said.
“Many of the children have individual graves, but as many as 20 children are estimated to be buried in a mass grave on the site as diphtheria spread so quickly and was so devastating to children during this time,” she said.
That grave site is distinguished by a marker that reads, “In memory of the unknown children who died in the 1891 diphtheria epidemic.”
Beecham Cemetery is historically designed by Oklahoma Historical Society and is located about six miles southeast of Okarche. For more information about the cemetery, nonprofit and more, see its website, located at https://www.beechamcemetery.org.
