DALLAS - A Dallas grandmother who thought she reserved her place in the ever after next to her husband recently got a big surprise.
Ida Waters said she bought the burial spot next to her dead husband’s. A tombstone with her name had been secured over it and she understood everything was ready.
“We had it fixed so when I die I would be there,” she said.
However, when she recently went to visit the grave, she discovered her spot had been taken and another person was buried in her place, next to her husband Milford Waters.
“This is where the new grave is buried,” Waters said pointing to a freshly disturbed mound of dirt. “I can’t understand it.”
Despite, the permanent marker with her name on it, it was clear someone had recently been buried in her spot, she said. The ground was disturbed and flowers were placed on top of the plot.
However, there was no marker installed with the new grave, so she said she has no idea who’s there.
The cemetery, Laurel Land in South Dallas, said it was unaware of the situation.
Stewart Enterprises, based outside of New Orleans, owns Laurel Land along with dozens of other funeral homes and cemeteries across the country.
Company officials said they were looking into the case but offered no answers. They said it would be dealing with the family.
Waters said it has been both painful and puzzling. She raised seven children with her husband of 44 years and had taken comfort in his death knowing she would eventually rest next to him. A hope, she understands, that is likely now gone forever.
“I can't even go to work because I’m just so disturbed,” she said. “I just don't understand it.”
E-mail: jbetz@wfaa.com
