An honor due

A report from The N&O's Thomas Goldsmith has prompted an act of generosity to honor those who lie in a virtually unmarked pauper's field in Raleigh, on Noble Road. Jodie Dupree, manager of Raleigh Memorial Park and Mitchell Funeral Home, has offered to donate a polished granite marker to the cemetery of the former Wake County Home for the Aged and Infirm.

The outline of the old cemetery came to light as Raleigh parks officials looked over the site for a new city senior center. (It will not affect the cemetery.) "It's a shame," Dupree said, "for anyone to be in an unmarked grave. The community burial area needs to be marked for what it is."

The county home that buried the people operated from 1915 to 1979. Apparently the idea of a suitable marker simply faded over time.

These souls were citizens among us. Many suffered hard lives and bad breaks. In life, they didn't enjoy much respect. The community should have done something long ago, but at least now it appears a good thing will happen, and Dupree is due credit for stepping forward. Now, resting in peace, those who were known by no one will be known, in some way, by all.