Charlie Guathier (Atoka Rd) posted this cleanup/commemoration he did for a local WWII hero who was buried in an old family cemetery behind his property. Here's what he had to say...
"I spoke with Earsaline [at Mt Olive Baptist] last Spring about wanting to do something to preserve the small cemetery, but also do something to honor the veteran. Earsaline gave me the OK to do whatever I wanted. So, after getting the consent of the property owner, I went on a search for just “the right thing”.
I knew what I wanted, but it had to be something appropriately sized and shaped. One day while cruising through Etsy, I found it.
Today was “installation/dedication” day. While I was the only person there, I gave Cornelius a salute."
At Charlie's encouragement I reached out to Earsaline for more details on Mr. Ross and after consulting with Sarah Carter Lacy, Howard White and the church records, this is what she emailed me...
Photo: Mr. Walter Ross, the man on the right, Cornelius’ grandfather
"Cornelius Ross was son of the late Edwin and Corrine Colston Ross. Cornelius was a family member of 7 bothers - Charleton, Douglas Gates, Duran, Franklin, James, Walter and 4 sisters – Bessie, Bernice, Eleanor, and Jacqueline. The family lived in Upperville, VA .
Mr. Ross was employed by Mr. Paul Mellon, Rokeby Farm, Upperville, VA and Mrs. Ross was a housewife and mother to a growing family.
This cemetery land is adjacent to the Ross property owned by Mr. Walter Ross, Cornelius’s grandfather. This family were resident of the Rectortown Community. They attended the Mount Olive Baptist Church and the Rectortown No. 12 Elementary School. The older siblings attended Manassas Industrial High School, Manassas, VA and the younger siblings attended William C. Taylor High School
He was married to Margaret Woodson of Rectortown. Cornelius served in World War II. Their daughter, Sandy, was born several months after Cornelius’ death.
Mr. Edwin Ross, died December 23, 1967, waiting in the doctor’s office fulfilling an appointment. He is buried in the Rectortown Flatroad Cemetery and his wife, Corrine, died March 18, 1974. She was buried at the Rectortown Oddfellow’s Cemetery.
Referred to as Gates, he was the last Ross sibling and he died in 2017. Douglas Gates Ross, also had a background in the military life. He lived in Steeleton, Pennsylvania.
This information was provided by former neighbors, Sarah Lacy Carter and Howard White and church records. Sarah’s father, is the 2nd grave in this spot besides Cornelius. Mr. Lacy died in March 1952 at the age of 42.
I remember attending the funeral service of Cornelius. This was a tall handsome man that was loved by his family. His death was devasting to the family and community.
I also attended elementary school with Charleton, Duran, Jacqueline, Walter, and Franklin. Upon graduation, the graduates relocated to Steeleton, PA."