ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, December 16, 1996 TAG: 9612160048
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: & now this...
SOURCE: CHRISTINA NUCKOLS
Alexander White and his kinfolk will be moving to East Hill Cemetery in spite of some misgivings by a descendant of his grandson-in-law.
Most living relatives of White, who was master of the Fort Lewis mansion from the 1830s until his death in 1906, want the 12 graves in the family cemetery moved so they can receive perpetual care.
Judge G.O. Clemens of Roanoke County Circuit Court said he would approve the disinterment with the provision that he be allowed to review the contract once a company has been employed to move the graves.
Gerald Butcher, who lives in the Cave Spring area of Roanoke County, attended a court hearing last week to oppose the move.
"I'm just like an Indian," he said. "I don't believe in moving the dead."
Butcher said he is the great-grandson of Nugent Malcolm Read, a major in the Confederate Army and "best of friends" with Robert E. Lee. Read is buried in the White family cemetery, off West Main Street, because he married a granddaughter of Alexander White.
Butcher said he had not been to the cemetery since 1948. The site had been maintained by Lewis and Dorothy Terrell Black, a brother and sister who are direct descendants of White.
Joe Thomas, owner of the surrounding property, said he is paying for the transfer so he can develop the corner lot. He estimated the job will cost $15,000 to $20,000.
LENGTH: Short : 35 linesby CNB