On January 7, 1928, the first cemetery committee for Barrett Station and surrounding areas was organized, with these men present: Mr. Foster Amos, Mr. Henry “Geet’ Alfred, Mr. Robert E. Barrett, Reverend P. H. Brown, Mr. Gill Brady, Mr. James Brimer, Mr. Clint Edward, Mr. Sam Goudeau, Mr. Tom Johnson, Mr. Henry Napoleon, Mr. O’Neal Redmond, Mr. David Smith, Mr. George Smith and Mr. Alex Washington.   

During this first meeting, officers were elected; Mr. Tom Johnson became chairman, Mr. Henry Alfred, Secretary, Mr. Sam Goudeau, Treasurer and Mr. Alex Washington, Trustee.  The trustee’s job was to search out the best location for the cemetery and report to the committee in the next meeting.  Mr. Will Freeman was asked to work with Mr. Alex Washington.  This meeting was adjourned.               

The second meeting was held on January 30, 1928, at Friendship Baptist Church in Crosby, Texas.  Mr. Henry Alfred reported the property he found to purchase for the cemetery located in Barrett Station.  The Committee accepted his report on land location and agreed to buy it.

Each one of the thirteen men paid the sum of $5.00 and purchased the property which was one acre to start with.  They all agreed to name this property location “The Evergreen Cemetery”.   As time went on, these men became older – some moved and some deceased.  However today, tribute is paid to that group in regard to the work done as a group of strong men who stood for unity in organizing the first cemetery committee and purchasing property, and spending time in meetings down through the years.      

Until the early 1960’s, there was no road through the cemetery.  However, the existing road that splits the cemetery, i.e., Barrett Road, was extended by Harris County so that it would connect to East Melville Drive.  At this time, some graves were relocated to each side of the cemetery’s perimeter, north/south/east/west.   Again, as time went on, fewer and fewer of the first organizers were left; and therefore, some of them were succeeded by members of their families.  After the late Mr. Alex Washington, his eldest son, George Washington, became secretary of The Evergreen Cemetery.  George served well for several terms, kept records, and consequently, kept the finance records and made bank deposits.      In later years after Mr. George Washington’s passing, his younger brother, Alex “Man” Washington, Jr. became secretary-treasurer.  After the passing of Mr. Henry Alfred, his son, Hayward Alfred accepted his father’s duties and became trustee, along with Mr. Robert Barrett (who is also deceased).  On November 12, 1997, Mr. Hayward Alfred passed away but Mr. Man Washington  continues to serve on the committee, today.  However, it would be unreal to think that just two men alone could carry a complete community and part of other surrounding areas when there was so much that needed to be done! 

All the above names mentioned have done what they could, met when they could, and gave what they could while they could.         And today, it is up to the descendants of the founding fathers and other faithful volunteers to carry on – pick up the slack and continue a job that was started by our late parents, grandparents, relatives, and friends.  It can be done – even though somebody said it could not.  But, another strong believer said, “I know something can be done!”   She refused to believe that a historically black community of the size of Barrett Station, with loads of intelligence --  better prepared financially -- and better educated today than those 13 men were some 80 years ago cannot carry on the cemetery’s purpose.  If they could do it, then, so can we!  The organizers purchased property for a cemetery and left it to the community.  Eighty odd years ago (back in 1928) these thirteen men got it started and surely we ought to be able to continue.  With the help of everyone pulling together, Mrs. Willie Barrett Goodlow, grand daughter of one of the founders – Mr. Foster Amos –  said she believed something could be done!  Willie is also the daughter of the deceased Robert E. Barrett.       

Slowly but surely she had to first convince herself whether or not getting involved with a project this large was really a project she wanted to take on.  Through prayer she got an answer.  The answer was … get involved!  Therefore, she began to seek out and found Mr. Alex “Man” Washington, Jr. and Mr. Hayward Alfred willing to accept her help.  In the fall of 1982 in a Barrett Station Civic League meeting, she expressed her desire to the president (Mr. Tex Mitchell) to get involved with the present officers of the Civic League to work on the cemetery committee.  Mr. Tex Mitchell brought her request to the body of civic members.  The civic members were pleased that she wanted to become involved and therefore elected Mrs. Willie B. Goodlow as chairman of the cemetery committee.  At that time, Mr. Alex Washington, Jr. still served as treasurer and Mr. Hayward Alfred, as trustee. 

In January 1983, Mrs. Willie Goodlow called a cemetery re-organization meeting that was held in Crosby, Texas, at Mrs. Thelma Brown’s home.  At this meeting, other officers were elected, as follows:  Mrs. Thelma Brown – Secretary. Mr. Lorenza Goodlow – Maintenance  In this meeting, plans to generate monetary donations for the cemetery’s treasury were discussed by way of sending letters to several neighboring churches, funeral homes and the Civic League.  Another plan was to have the first memorial fund-raising service on the last Saturday in May in order to give families a chance to give a financial donation in memory of their loved ones buried in the Barrett Station Evergreen Cemetery.  The original name was Evergreen Cemetery, but it was subsequently changed to the Barrett Station Evergreen Cemetery because the local bank was confusing the former name with the cemetery in Crosby, Texas, which is also known as the Evergreen Cemetery. 

Therefore, Barrett Station’s cemetery was re-named “Barrett Station Evergreen Cemetery”.  The committee members and chairman agreed that since the cemetery concerns people in Barrett, Crosby, McNair and other nearby areas, a good plan would be to host the memorial service each year at the most available church, thereby allowing more people to participate in the service and to become involved with the cemetery project.  

On May 28, 1983, the first memorial service was held at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, Rev. G. S. Mathews, pastor.  Rev. Mathews delivered his sermon from I Corinthians 11:23. After this service was dismissed, everyone continued to the cemetery for the military ceremony with the VFW in charge.  Afterwards, they gathered back to the church’s cafeteria for eating and fellow-shipping.  As a tradition, the McGee/Dangerfield families donated a rose bush plant in memory of their deceased – it was to be planted on the church property of Shiloh or in the cemetery at their request.  Since the cemetery’s first memorial fundraising service, great accomplishments have been made; individual volunteers such as Mr. Lorenza Goodlow, Mr. Hayward Alfred and the VFW Group have worked diligently and successfully in accomplishing many of our goals.  Also, because of their cleaning efforts in the cemetery, along with the first memorial service and donations, the Committee was able to sell plots.  In addition, the Committee was blessed to afford a new riding mower for the cemetery!  Even though other tools and improvements were still needed to continue the work, it was with great pleasure and gratitude that the cemetery committee and members attributed the cemetery’s collective achievements to individual contributors, the churches and volunteers for their contributions.  The committee realizes that the goal they’re still trying so hard to reach can be done only with the help of said contributors – and by the Grace of God. 

On May 26, 1984, the second memorial service was held at First Missionary Baptist Church, were Rev. E. F. Brown was the pastor.  This time, the message was brought by Rev. Rogers Barrett of Los Angeles, California - a native of Barrett Station.  His message was delivered from Revelations 20:12.  On May 25, 1985, the third memorial service was held at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church.  Rev. Isaac Alfred delivered the message.  In 1986, $500 was raised from fundraising activities, which went into the cemetery’s treasure.  And -- again -- at Shiloh Baptist Church the message was brought by Rev. Hiawatha Barrett, Sr.  Also, another riding mower was purchased, making a total inventory of two riding mowers and one self-propelled mower.   

Over the next several years, past officers and members were: 

Mr. Hayward Alfred – Treasurer/Trustee; Rev. Hiawatha Barrett, Sr. – Chaplain ; Mrs. Thelma Brown – Secretary Ms. Audry Anderson Clark – Chairman/Social Activities Committee; Ms. Barbara Alfred Egans – Chair/Food Committee; Mrs. Debra Brady Frank – Member;          Mr. Lorenza Goodlow – Maintenance; Mrs. Willie Barrett Goodlow – Chairperson;         Mr. Leon Goudeau, Jr. – Member; Rev. Sherman Gray – Member; Mr. Alex Washington, Jr. – Asst. Treasurer/Trustee.

The BSEC cemetery volunteers found the month of May was a very busy month and, therefore, not suitable for holding the memorial services.  A recent attempt to hold a fund-raising memorial service happened on May 24, 2009.  Unfortunately, attendance was low due to conflicting schedules of the residents (with church and local school functions).  Nevertheless, funds totaling roughly $400 were collected.  In recognition of their volunteer work for the Cemetery, two certificates of appreciation were awarded to the cemetery chairman – Mrs. Willie B. Goodlow, and maintenance caretaker – Mr. Lorenza Goodlow during the program.  Even today (i.e., 35 years since the cemetery’s re-organization), many of these faithful volunteers continue to serve in the same capacity.  As with most historically black cemeteries, the Barrett Station Evergreen Cemetery fell into the same category of being “grandfathered” as such by the local county and, literally, undocumented by the State of Texas.  Not until recently did Melody Fontenot – grand-daughter and great grand-daughter of two of the pioneers - Robert E. Barrett and Mr. Foster Amos, respectively; and, daughter of cemetery chairperson – Willie Barrett Goodlow, volunteered to take on the task of filing and obtaining all documents necessary in order that the cemetery would not risk being “lost” in history.  And – worst yet – not be recognized as a cemetery that is still in operation today.  

The diligent efforts by Melody to achieve legal status for the cemetery included filing of an Assumed Name Certificate, whereby, the Barrett Station Evergreen Cemetery name was approved by the Texas Secretary of State’s Office on October 4, 2010; then, applying for and receiving a 501(c)13 status for the cemetery, which status was granted by the Internal Revenue Service – Department of the Treasury, on November 15, 2010.  This meant that the cemetery was now, officially, papered!  The board members at this time, were: Rogers Barrett; Kathy Bass and Melody Fontenot.  And, the elected officers were: chairperson – Willie Barrett Goodlow; Barbara J. Egans – secretary; John E. Alfred – treasurer; and Rogers Barrett – chaplain.  Lorenza Goodlow continued to provide maintenance and upkeep of the cemetery until July 2012, when his health would no longer permit.  Therefore, a joint decision was made by the board and officers, to utilize both the volunteer efforts and services of community residents (including, even, volunteers from a local community college, i.e., Baytown Lee College) to continue upkeep of the cemetery. 

In April 2014, the price of graves was raised to $400.  The roster of officers remained the same.  In 2016, the cost of individual graves was raised to $600.  Then, it was later raised to $1,000 in 2019.  These increases were needed to keep up with the costs of garden supplies, fuel and general yearly maintenance expenses of the cemetery. 

On April 24, 2017, the Barrett Station Evergreen Cemetery suffered the worst case of vandalism known to residents throughout its history.  Many graves were damaged, headstones overturned, a number of crypts were cracked and cemetery signs -- bent over.  For weeks, many deep ruts were visible upon its grounds.  This vandalism was done by a couple of visiting teenagers who had been drinking and partying just hours before.  The local authorities eventually issued a ticket and mandated community service hours to one of the drivers.  Touched by the incident, a law firm provided a financial donation to aide in repair of cracked crypts which included one belonging to a United States Vietnam veteran.  In addition to this effort, local residents volunteered their time and efforts to quickly get the cemetery back in order. 

As of August 2018, the board members are: Kathy Bass, Melody Fontenot, Willie Barrett Goodlow, Gary L. Matthews and Norman G. Outley.  The officers are: Gary L. Matthews – president; Barbara J. Egans – secretary; John E. Alfred – treasurer; Rogers Barrett – chaplain.

Today, the Cemetery continues to accept donations of a suggested $30 per resident family each year.

The latest burial was made on the cemetery grounds during the month of September 28, 2019.     

END