To: The Florida Tribune
From writer: Frank Paul Gambino
Aged Old Headstone found in Yard
Rev. Frank Paul Jones and his cousin John W. Moss; while working in the yard cleaning up in preparation of the opening of the Blue Temple the headquarters of the NCNCHINC; found old headstone. The name on the headstone is being held under wraps, while the location of the body remains are being sought after. The headstone belonged to someone who was born in 1874 and died in 1980.
The committee over the grave yard is doing everything to in their power to remedy the situation. However the ledger identifying the sites burial locations is owned by the Jones Family as an inheritance for the life work of Eston E. L. Roberts, who was the Worshipful Master of the Prince Hall Masons here in Avon Park, FL. And care taker of the burial site.
The family feels the pain of the people here in Highlands County that do not know where the remains of their loved ones are. However, the family found that $7,000.00 that was earned through the Hard Labor of Eston E. L. Roberts is missing. This is money he promised to his nephew as startup capital, to continue his operations.
The family came to the consciences that if the money is return, the rightful owners being the Jones family and the City of Avon Park agrees to treat blacks like whites and hold their burial grounds sacred and pay the Family $1,300.00 per months as white cemeteries receive, they will continue the work of Eston E. L. Roberts and maintain the cemetery.
Rev. Jones said “fine we are in the cemetery business it is our duty to the community.” Both of his parents and grandparents where buried at what will be named the Eston E. L. Roberts cemetery? Justifiably named as he like Adam was told from God, without comparison he told Avon Park there is your mother and there are your father gravesites. We have to know this information and it will be shared when the family inheritance is put back in tack. Eston E.L. Roberts did a fine thing and should be remembered.
Frank Paul Gambino 