About Magnolia Cemetery
Our Mission
The Magnolia Cemetery Association is dedicated to preserving the dignity, history, and beauty of the Cemetery by honoring those who came before us. Through restoration, community engagement, and historical documentation, we ensure the stories of those interred endure for generations to come in a serene and respectful environment. Magnolia Cemetery Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
Cultural Significance
Magnolia Cemetery retains its historic character through original landscaping, symbolic monuments, and distinctive funerary art. Upon entering the gates, visitors are welcomed by a magnolia tree shading a bench and an interpretive sign that offers a brief history of the cemetery.
Graves throughout the grounds display a wide range of artistry, from modest hand-carved concrete markers and headstones to ornate monuments featuring Masonic, Christian, and cultural symbols. Among these, the most significant is a seven-tiered sandstone obelisk honoring William H. Grey, one of Arkansas’ first Black legislators. This monument is richly decorated with Masonic imagery such as a biblical star, square and compass, anchor, bell, twin pillars, sun, crescent moon, stars, and a symbolic ladder. Another feature of note is a section where grave markers are arranged in a half circle around a central flagpole, creating a unique spatial design within the cemetery landscape. Despite minor weathering, they remain structurally sound and visually striking.
