Talking Tombstones Presented by CCGS
The Clay County Genealogy Society held a cemetery walk, Talking Tombstones, on September 13, 2025, at Cottage Hill Cemetery. The public has expressed a great interest in attending another cemetery walk, and the Society will create a second Talking Tombstones event on June 6, 2026.
The Society members could not find a tombstone for famous Clay County artist, Evalyn Gertrude James’. Society member, Richard Hull, made a stone, which was unveiled at the cemetery walk. One of Evalyn’s original paintings was there too. There were twelve actors and actresses dressed in period costumes, who portrayed individuals that left an impressionable mark on Clay County.
The twelve actors and actresses in character were: Clinton Arthur and Lela Powell, portrayed by Jacob Kunkel and Makenzie Mott; Governor George Craig, portrayed by Jeff Koehler; Dr. James Rawley, portrayed by Kevin McCrea; Jonathan Penna, portrayed by his great-grandson, Ron Penna; Valentine Penna, son of Jonathan, portrayed by Riley LeMay; Evalyn Gertrude James, portrayed by Patricia Wilkinson; Mrs. Caroline Eberwine, portrayed by Susan Blair; Mrs. Minnie VanBibber, daughter of Caroline, portrayed by Debbie Leach; Mrs. Catherine Keller, portrayed by Anna Long; Miss Gertrude Carr, portrayed by Michelle McCrea; Mrs. Josephine Sanders, portrayed by Stephanie Strain. Tour Guides were Caroline Gilson, Cathy McLin, Janna Wilkes, and Rhonda Tincher.