Nichols Volunteers at SWC Cemetery

Bertha Nichols has been volunteering her time at the Southwest City Cemetery for as long as she can remember.

While serving as "first lady" to the director of the cemetery board, Nichols began collecting donations for upkeep during Memorial Day weekend. It is a rain or shine obligation that keeps her busy each year.

The cemetery is no stranger to the holiday; Southwest City was founded in 1870, just eight years after Decoration Day was declared.

Nichols is a Southwest City native whose genealogy is largely represented among the graves in town. Family names scatter the area and headstones date back to the 19th century.

After the passing of her husband, she also began decorating the graves of his ancestors, which are also locally buried.

Nichols says she remembers the holiday being called Decoration Day. As a child, she and her family would decorate the graves that she now helps maintain.

Volunteers will be set up at Southwest Cemetery to collect donations from Thursday to Sunday. Donations fund the landscaping, maintenance and upkeep of the cemetery throughout the year.