Shady Oaks Gardens Cemetery

Shady Oaks Gardens Cemetery. "I Was Natalie Roberta's Son". , Shady Oaks Gardens Cemetery , Shady Oaks Gardens, also known as "Paupers Cemetery”, served as Polk County's primary pauper cemetery since 1963. Polk County Government paid for the burials for persons who had no funds for a private burial, including county hospital patients, inmates, unknowns, and coroner's cases involving crimes., Prior to the establishment of this cemetery, paupers were buried by funeral directors in designated sections at municipal and rural cemeteries throughout the county. Before 1968, there were no established policies for pauper burials. That same year, the Commissioners of Polk County established rules governing interments and ensured proper record keeping. , The unknown burials located in the original Paupers Cemetery, northwest of this site, and graves from the nearby community of Philippi, were relocated to this site in 1963. Rosamond Younger, a Philippi burial who died in 1918, marks the earliest known death., Moses "Doorman" Williams (1919-1988), a noted African American Blues Musician and Master of the one-string guitar, is buried here., "I Was Natalie Roberta's Son", "I Was Natalie Roberta's Son" , Isay, Ialways study, Lord, (how) to travel over in this world. , Isaid, Ialways appreciate, Lord, (that I was Natalie Roberta's son. , Isaid, a few years Istayed at home, Lord, she know how to raise a son. , Isaid, I'm gonna study something. Lord, to do Lord when I'm gone. , Ihad to hold up on my schooling now, Lord, I told them I don't know what to do. , Isaid, Ihad a many, a many, a many a (day), Lord, (I) sure enough didn't know what to do. , Music and Lyrics Composed by: Moses Williams, Shady Oaks Gardens Cemetery , Graves to Gardens , A Polk County Heritage Site