WHITEVILLE, Tenn. — Vandals hit a cemetery in Hardeman County, leaving a mess behind.
A woman visiting the Melrose Cemetery in Whiteville, Tennessee found headstones knocked over.
Police offered a reward to help catch who did it, but people with loved one’s at the cemetery said more than a crime has been committed.
“This cemetery has been a very important part of this community. The oldest marker here is dated 1889,” said Bettye Perry.
For Perry, the Melrose Cemetery in Whiteville was more than a significant landmark.
It was the final resting place for her husband, her relatives and her friends.
That’s why she was outraged by what she saw on her weekly visit to the cemetery.
“And as I drove in I noticed immediately that some of the markers on the right hand side, which is the east side of the cemetery, were no longer standing up. They had been knocked over,” she said.
She took a closer look and found a huge stone marker on the ground.
“Which is a Woodmen of the World stone. The person that is buried here is a member of Woodmen of the World,” said Perry.
But that wasn’t the only damage.
“These two markers were also knocked over, off of their base. They were laying in this direction,” she told WREG.
She said she didn’t believe for a minute the wind blew them over.
“I was dismayed that someone wouldn’t care any more about a cemetery than to vandalize it or do anything to desecrate a stone,” said Perry.
She also found a smaller stone marker nearby knocked over and called Whiteville’s Mayor who called Police.
Workers were able to put the markers back where they belonged, but the anger felt by folks in this community wont be as easily repaired.
“That’s just some mean folks to do something like that, I think,” said L.A. Rogers.
Rogers lived in Hardeman County and heard about the vandalism while at church.
He said he has faith justice will be served.
“The Lord will take vengeance, it’ll be his turn to take vengeance. “Not ours, but His,” saith the Lord,” said Rogers.
Whiteville Police said they don’t have a motive or any suspects.
They are asking for the public’s help and offering a reward.
If you can help, call 731-254-8523.