Decatur in Wise County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Oak Lawn Cemetery

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, August 30, 2026

1. Oak Lawn Cemetery Marker

Inscription.
Oak Lawn Cemetery was officially established in 1878 when William T. Perry deeded property to R. M. Collins, the mayor of Decatur, for a public burial ground for area residents. At that time however, at least one marked grave, that of Eli Lindley (d. 1867), existed, indicating that a private cemetery had first been established here. Other marked graves dating as early as 1857 are believed to have been relocated to this site after the public cemetery's founding.

The city of Decatur managed the cemetery between 1878 and 1928. During that time, local residents C. and Caroline Harmon generously donated land to the city on four occasions to enlarge the cemetery property. In 1928, in response to the recent formation of a cemetery association by E. P. Gibson, W. P. Thurmond, and T. J. Dillehay, the city ceased its management of Oak Lawn. Between 1928 and 1986, the cemetery association maintained the burial ground, which was again enlarged in 1947 and 1960. In 1986, after the dissolution of the association, the City of Decatur resumed responsibility for the graveyard.

Now consisting of over forty acres of property, Oak Lawn Cemetery is the final resting place of over 3,700 area residents.

Erected 1991 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3650.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical year for this entry is 1878.

Location. 33° 15.443′ N, 97° 34.56′ W. Marker is in Decatur, Texas, in Wise County. It is on Decatur Cemetery Road 0.8 miles north of Old Greenwood Road, on the right when traveling north. Marker and cemetery are to the east of Decatur Municipal Airport. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2091 Decatur Cemetery Rd, Decatur TX 76234, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region

and in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Randolph (Uncle Ran) Vesey (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Battle of the Knobs (approx. 1.2 miles away); St. John Missionary Baptist Church (approx. 1.2 miles away); East Side Elementary School (approx. 1.3 miles away); Oak Grove United Methodist Church (approx. 1.7 miles away); Captain George W. Stevens (approx. 1.7 miles away); Randolph Vesey (approx. 1.7 miles away); Charles Vernon Terrell (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Decatur.

Oak Lawn Cemetery and marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, August 30, 2026

2. Oak Lawn Cemetery and marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 31, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 30, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 30, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.