The Castor Cemetery will celebrate its 160th Anniversary on Aug. 1, 2026, beginning at 10 a.m. at 2057 Slagle Road in Leesville.
There is a new view on Cemetery Hill this year with a newly installed fence around the burials. The project was planned and approved by the Cemetery Committee, which serves as the decision-making body.
The guest presenter will be Stanley Fletcher, a Vernon Parish historian who has spent many years researching cemeteries and the history of families buried there. He shares his knowledge to help others better understand their personal family background.
Guests are invited to attend and learn facts about their family history they may not know.
Guest musician Jared Prewitt, Music Director of First Baptist Church Hornbeck, will lead old-fashioned congregational singing and perform a special solo.
The event will include a Memorial Service followed by the Annual Castor Homecoming Program. Past Pastor Morris Goins, who served from 1982-96, will offer remarks and prayer, as will newly appointed Pastor Buddy Freeman, who began his tenure in February of this year. A comedy skit about yesteryear will be presented by local sisters Clarice Hovdet and Regina Smith, who grew up as members of Castor Church.
The Castor Cemetery is one of the largest and oldest graveyards in Vernon Parish. It is located on the Old Slagle Highway at the traffic circle. The oldest marked grave is that of Knowwood Turner, a 3-year-old child who died Jan. 23, 1872.
The oldest grave is that of Archibald Cooper, a Civil War veteran. Verbal verification of this was provided by Adeline Moore, who attended the funeral and shared the information with her daughter, Mary Illes Gill. Ms. Gill later gave the information to Mrs. Louise Gill Cavanaugh.
Everyone with loved ones buried in the cemetery, past or present members of Castor Baptist Church, friends with fond memories, or anyone interested in this well-known Vernon Parish landmark is welcome to attend.
Further information is available on the Castor Cemetery Association Facebook page.