Greenleaf Cemetery presented their 4th Annual Talking Tombstone Tour on Saturday evening. This year’s proceeds will help with some major equipment repairs and a new maintenance building according to organizers.
Tours to historic gravesites ran every 15 minutes, lasting approximately an hour and a half as visitors were taken to the graves of the seven featured people. At each stop, visitors to scenic Greenleaf Cemetery were guided to the gravesites of “former” residents, portrayed by actors in period costumes, who shared stories and history of their lives and times.
This year seven remarkable lives were re-enacted. Photos and biographies of each are below:
Samuel R. Coggin, pictured above, figured prominently in the history of Brownwood. He was a successful rancher, with far flung land holdings, a banker, business leader, and philanthropist, whose legacy is still evident in Brownwood today. His extraordinary acts of kindness are remembered over a hundred years after his passing. Daniel Graham portrayed Samuel Coggin.
Dorothy McIntosh, the legendary choir director at Brownwood High School, is remembered, above all, for her love of music, her unwavering pursuit of excellence and her dedication to her students. She set high standards for her students in manners and comportment, and few were inclined to disappoint her. “Miss Mac” was portrayed by Priscilla Monson.
Harriette Graves, who grew up in New York City, met a young man from Brownwood while she was serving as a Navy WAVE during WWII. She was a writer for the Navy newspaper, an experience that was the beginning of her love affair with the newspaper business. On April 1, 1966, Harriette joined the staff of the Brownwood Bulletin where her writing flourished, garnering her numerous awards over her long career. Her daughter, Judy Brownlee, re-enacted Harriette’s remarkable life.
Michael Autry Teague, Petty Officer Third Class, U.S. Navy, was a member of the Brownwood High class of 1963. He became a Navy medic, who was assigned to a Marine combat unit in Viet Nam. His heroic actions on May 2, 1968, under enemy fire, helped save wounded comrades, before he lost his own life. HPU drama student, Bryce McWhirter, portrayed Mike Teague.
Ruth Doss continues to be vividly remembered by students in her English classes. She expected and demanded excellence in her classroom – students who were serious about learning. Her long teaching career touched the lives of countless young people, and many still feel her influence, even today. Mrs. Doss was portrayed by one of her former students, Jennifer Curbo Williams, who is also an English teacher in the Brownwood School system.
Marie Sapenter, an accomplished concert pianist, was also a beloved piano teacher, who gave lessons for many years. Descended from a pioneer Brownwood family, “Miss Marie” trained at the Julliard School of New York and the Sherwood Music School in Chicago. Although she performed in concerts across the nation, her heart was always in Brownwood, where she was devoted to her church and very active in the community. Her life was re-enacted by both Harriet Wilson and LaSonya Hall.
J.C. Weakley, the founder of Weakley-Watson Hardware in Brownwood, originally opened his business as a tin shop. He arrived in town to put a tin roof on a building, and he liked what he saw and decided to settle here. Weakley-Watson’s is the oldest hardware store in Texas, and is operated today by members of the Blagg family, who are fifth generation descendants. Mr. Weakley’s importance to Brownwood history extends far beyond his successful business. Along with Brooke Smith and Henry Ford, he was instrumental in bringing the railroad to Brownwood. His life was portrayed by John Lee Blagg.