Specially submitted to Speakin’ Out News
What was “Reclaiming the Bone” about? The once enslaved descendants of the Bone-Wilbourn Plantation, located in Madison County, Alabama, recently purchased the plantation’s slave cemetery. The Bone Family Descendants came together in a rededication of the cemetery to commit their time and resources to maintain, pre- serve and repair the eternal resting place of their ancestors. The Bone Family Cemetery’s first known interment was Nancy E. Bone (1844- 1874). There are over forty graves from individuals who lived in the 1800s and countless unmarked graves.
Elder Theodore Bone opened up this occasion by singing “Shine On Me.” Mrs. Michele Degraffinreid gave the welcome and occasion. The Bone Family Choir, under the musical direction of Roy Williams, Jr, followed with “ We Have Come This Far By Faith,” the bedrock of the family foundation. Mrs. Oleathea Moss led ancestral Roll Call by saying the names of the giants upon whose shoulders they stand. Rev. Laurie Bone McCaulley presented “The Bone Family History” and the impact the members have had on edu- cation, politics, music, cooking, and entrepreneurship. Minister Mattie Bone Humphrey gave the benediction.