Historic Cemetery

Shoemake Family Cemetery

Latexo, Texas
Location: Driving Directions:From US 287 in Latexo, go 0.9 mile east on FM 2663. Turn right at CR 1805 and go 0.7 mile south. At sharp bend, turn left into “Oleo Acres.” Cemetery is approx. 650 ft. east of road.This is a small, private, family cemetery that was established in 1999. When this survey was conducted the cemetery only contained one grave, which was fully fenced and well maintained. The marker inscription reads: "Benji"Benjamin Lee Shoemake IIINovember 8, 1974September 11, 1999Safe into the Arms of GodThe monument also has unique family signatures on the back.The property owner plans to expand the cemetery to over a 0.25 acre with additional family burials. The cemetery is not a map feature and there are no cemetery signs posted.

Source: RIP Fields Table

To address the problem of cemetery destruction and to record as many cemeteries as possible, the Texas Historical Commission offers the Historic Texas Cemetery designation.

The Historic Texas Cemetery designation was developed in 1998 to help protect historic cemeteries by recording cemetery boundaries in county deed records to alert present and future owners of land adjacent to the cemetery of its existence. Every county in Texas has at least one cemetery designated as a Historic Texas Cemetery through this program. The HTC designation is the first step toward preservation of a historic cemetery.

A cemetery is eligible for designation if it is at least 50 years old and is deemed worthy of recognition for its historical associations. The very nature of a cemetery being a landmark of a family’s or community’s presence is considered to validate the criteria of historical associations. Any individual, organization, or agency may submit a request for designation.

gravesites