Pineville, a historic refuge
Extra: Miss Lally and the churchyard
keithg@tds.net
By Betty Gourdin

St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. Photo by Jane Searles Misenhelter, 1977

Mrs. Eljule Palmer Gourdin Everett (1903- - 1992), affectionately called Miss Lally, had a passion for the St. Stephen's Episcopal Church nanevde irts churchyard. (She called it a cemetery). In the 1930s, her father, J.K. Gourdin of Pineville, lamented frequently and vehemently he was to be buried "in a cow pasture." She thereupon undertook the restoration of the churchyard with the assistance of her husband, James Everett, until his death in 1945.

In 1942, the couple received invaluable assistance from the Federation of Women's Missionary Societies, an organization made up of ladies of churches of all denominations in the St. Stephen- - Pineville- Russellville area and headed by Mrs. John R. Wooten. The Everetts accepted the challenge of "digging the St. Stephen's churchyard out of the jungle."

For eight years, Mrs. Wooten, other ladies of the Federation, and concerned Episcopalians, gave their time and effort to this rewarding community service. In 1950, the church accepted full responsibility for the maintenance of the churchyard. Miss Lally's concern continued over the years. She wanted it to have a pleasing and well groomed appearance. Old family plot enclosures and many of the ancient graves were restored under her direction.

The Gourdin family, as well as many others, know that Miss Lally continued to maintain and restore the churchyard until she had to give it up in the late 1980s. She personally raised the funds needed for grass cutting, stump removal, and other maintenance by writing families of those buried there. She used pen and ink, not carbon paper, computer, or any modern device. She contacted families concerning broken stones and made certain the church doors were open during any funeral so the family of the deceased could find comfort.

In 1988, the church honored her with a "Miss Lally's Day." She told many stories concerning the first clearings of the churchyard, such as when she had to buy a man's guineas to get them out of the churchyard.

For this special occasion, Daniel C. Clarke (now Father Clarke) composed a beautiful hymn in her honor. It was sung for the first time that day and many times afterward including her funeral. He presented her with a framed original manuscript done by him in magnificent calligraphy.