The McLean Cemetery, a Historical Texas Cemetery, is located in “Joe Lee” which is a small farming community south of Rogers, Texas. The oldest marked grave is dated January 9, 1885.  From what we have been able to piece together, the cemetery came about when a young transient worker and his wife who were living in the covered wagon, died of a “fever” and the McLean family allowed for the couple to be buried on their land.   Over the years approximately one acre of the McLean’s farm was set aside for use as a public cemetery.

The cemetery came close to being abandoned, but in March of 1965 a drive was started by three local women who rallied the community to clean and beautify the cemetery.  A chain link fence was put up around the cemetery. The McLean Cemetery Association was then founded and flourished for 30-35 years.  Sadly, over the past years, participation in the cemetery association has dwindled so that we can barely assemble enough members to conduct business.

The cemetery is still active but usually has no more than one or two burials per year (usually relatives of those already buried in McLean Cemetery.)  The cemetery is in a very remote location and few people even know of its existence.  The association has never charged for burial plots and maintenance is funded strictly by donations.  As membership and participation have dwindled, so have donations so we must be extremely conservative with our spending.  

Over the years, many gravestones have been knocked over either by vandals or cattle (most likely the later.) At some point we hope to be able to repair and restore these gravestones but first we need to replace the fence and secure the cemetery. The cemetery is bordered on three sides by pasture land where cattle graze.  Cattle must be kept out of the cemetery to avoid damage to the grave stones.  The existing fence is that same fence was built over 50 years ago and needs to be replaced.

We have received an estimate of $9048 from a local fencing company to tear down the old fence and erect a new fence. We had received a small grant ($1000) from the Bell County Historical Commission towards construction of the new fence; however the grant was contingent on being able to raise the remaining funds.  Two years ago we established this GoFundMe campaign with a goal of raising enough money for a new fence for the cemetery.  Though we failed to raise the total amount needed for a new fence, we were able to raise about $2000, which we have placed in a savings account that we have now earmarked as the Fence Fund.  Once we have come up with the funds needed, we will be able to re-apply for the grant for the $1000.  We need your help to raise the remaining $6048. Please help us preserve this small piece of Texas history.

The McLean Cemetery Association is exempt under Internal Revenue code 501(c) (13). Your contributions are tax deductible.

For more information about the McLean Cemetery, visit us on Facebook at McLean Cemetery Association.