Burke Cemetery

"I had a hard time finding the small but historical Burke Cemetery of Fort Wort, Texas. It was covered with trees and situated on the corner of Bryant Ervin Rd, a busy intersection, behind a large Waterside Shopping sign. The cemetery is about 4- 5 car length long, surrounded by a wire fence and a small gate. It was established in 1867, when Mary Burke died and was the first person buried here followed by family members, relatives and friends. I parked inside the shopping area and walked a few steps toward the cemetery, just behind YogurtLand and Pei Wei Chinese restaurant. I sat on a concrete bench inside the small cemetery and surveyed some of the headstones that had been there for over a century. I rested awhile, thankful to be alive. My experience here reminded me of a Life Coach who was trying to resolve a CEO's huge problem by giving him a small piece of paper with an address on it and said two words, "go there." The CEO followed the address and drove around the area several times but could not seem to find the place except for a cemetery! Then it finally sunk in. Only those in the cemetery are free of problems. He was humbled by the revelation, partly elated, and thankful that he was alive. He was then able to welcome and overcome the problems that were very much part of his colorful life."

"The first known burial in this graveyard was that of Mary (Overton) Burke, widow of Evan H. Burke, who came in 1851 with her children and widowed mother to settle this land previously chosen by her husband. Her death on Dec. 30, 1867, was followed two days later by that of her mother, Rachel (Cameron) Overton. On Mar. 12, 1900, this one-half acre of land was deeded as a family burial ground. Relatives of the Burkes include members of the Magers, Overton, and Edwards families. More than 100 marked and several unmarked graves have been recorded here."