I'm living in the past this morning --- as recent as Saturday, when this photo was taken and Myrtle B. Lewis's distinctive little tombstone in the Chariton Cemetery wasn't covered by a foot of snow.
Graves marked in this manner sometimes are called "cradle" graves --- or "bed" graves --- because the grave cover looks like a stylized baby bed --- headboard, footboard and side rails. Myrtle's is in especially good condition. Although not the case here, I've seen examples that include stone pillows, sometimes inscribed.
In some instances, the center was intended for planting and the monument's rails just enclosed the grave, but here the base is solid stone and covers it.
Myrtle, born during mid-September of 1877, was the only daughter of William Edwin "Ed" Lewis (1846-1909) and his wife, Margaret "Maggie" Reed (1852-1923). They also had two sons who survived childhood and another, who didn't.
Ed Lewis came to Chariton during 1855 with his parents and worked with his father --- also William --- in the family grocery store from the time it was founded --- on July 4, 1860 --- until 1872 when the senior Lewis died. Ed then continued the business until his own death in 1909.
Little Myrtle was two and a half years old when she died of meningitis on March 14, 1880. Her parents are buried nearby, along with other family members.
Myrtle's grave is just beyond the distinctive piece of statuary that marks the grave of Eva Leona Waynick (1876-1880) toward the western end of the cemetery's main entrance drive. I've written here in an earlier post about Leona, who died of scarlet fever, and her family. You can see the foot of Myrtle's marker in the background of this photo.
It's traditional for someone --- or a series of someones --- to ensure that Leona always has flowers. And as you can see, she's ready for Christmas.
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