County considers paving road to historic church, cemetery

LEIGHTON — Colbert County officials are considering paving the remaining gravel section of Ricks Cemetery Road that leads to the historic Christian Home Church of Christ and George Ricks Cemetery.

The discussion came during a recent commission meeting after resident Kenneth Smith asked the commission to finish chip sealing the road.

Smith said chip sealing the road would make a difference for those visiting the cemetery, especially during funerals and burials.

“When we have a funeral or burial it is so rough getting folks to the cemetery,” he said. Smith said the cemetery is family-owned and contains the graves of many of his relatives, including his mother, grandparents, uncle, aunt, brother and daughter.

“Everybody that’s buried out there is kin to me,” Smith said.

The cemetery has been part of his family’s history for generations and dates back to the time of slavery, Smith said.

Smith said the road has become difficult to travel at times, especially after heavy rain. While parts of the road have already been improved, the section near the cemetery remains gravel.

“It is aggravating sometimes when it rains,” Smith said. “It is real rough going down in there.”

Smith said chip sealing the road would make a difference for those visiting the cemetery, especially during funerals and burials.

“When we have a funeral or burial it is so rough getting folks to the cemetery,” he said. County Engineer Jeremy Robison said the paved portion of Ricks Cemetery Road extends beyond the last house on the road, but about a half mile leading to the cemetery is still gravel.

Robinson said the gravel road is in good condition at the moment, but it sits in a low area which floods and washes out during heavy rain.

“We have to go fix it up,” he said.

Robinson said the county has not paved the remaining section because it serves very little traffic outside of visitors to the church and cemetery.

“We just have not had the budget to pave a road that does not go to houses,” he said.

Robinson said he recently learned the church is still active.

Christian Home Church of Christ was established in 1832, making it one of the oldest Churches of Christ in the area.

Smith said the church is still used for services and special occasions, although it does not hold weekly services.

Robison said he will prepare cost estimates for commissioners to consider during next month’s budget meetings. The estimates will include paving the entire remaining section of the road as well as an option to pave only to the church.

Commissioner Tori Bailey said access to the cemetery should be considered even if traffic is limited.

“When people are mourning and honoring their loved ones, they need to be able to get there,” she said.

Robison noted paving the road would not eliminate flooding because the roadway is in a low-lying area.