Fellowship Cemetery, Midway, Alabama
Our work at Fellowship Cemetery in Midway, Alabama, began in the fall of 2020 with smaller ledger repairs and stabilization projects. Prior to our initial visit, we received photos and project descriptions from descendants, which proved invaluable given the cemetery’s remote location—approximately 30 minutes from the nearest hardware store. Careful planning was essential. We ensured that all necessary materials—including concrete, water, tools, and mixing equipment—were brought on site to avoid delays. Our preparation paid off, and we were also grateful for the support and hospitality of the local community, who readily offered assistance. Opportunities to hear stories about the site and those buried there made the work especially meaningful.
As with many restoration projects, we installed new concrete footers to stabilize monuments and used epoxy, appropriate mortars, and fill materials to reconstruct damaged elements. One notable project involved a marble ledger supported by marble rails. To preserve the original appearance while improving structural integrity, we constructed a concrete base with recessed notches for the rails. This allowed the rails to visually support the ledger while the underlying concrete provided full structural support. The ledger itself, broken into several pieces, was carefully reassembled using pipe clamps, levels, and epoxy. We then refined the break edges with a dremel tool to improve adhesion and create a more uniform finished appearance.
As our relationship with the cemetery community grew—and as funding increased—we were invited back for additional phases of restoration. This is a common progression: as visibility and interest grow, so does support for preservation efforts. In later visits, we reconstructed multi-piece monuments, assessed newly uncovered markers, and addressed additional stabilization needs. During our most recent trip, we constructed a concrete slot base to safely support a marker and protect it from maintenance equipment and vegetation. We also repaired markers damaged by fallen trees and reset smaller monuments at risk of being lost.
