NATCHEZ &8212; Lynda Mackel Washington, one of the eight children of Augustine B. Mackel, remembers her mother&8217;s fondness for beautiful fresh-cut flowers.

&8220;She loved them when she was alive so we will never stop bringing them to her &8212; even in death,&8221; Washington said.

Born April 25, 1928, Augustine Mackel was the wife of Sgt. Walter B. Mackel Sr., who fought in the Korean War.

At age 76, Augustine Mackel died on Feb. 13, 2004, after struggling with diabetes.

She is buried in the most recent section of the Natchez National Cemetery.

&8220;She put up a good fight for a long time and it was just her time to go,&8221; Washington said. &8220;No one can take the place of a mother and I miss her very much.&8221;

Saturday afternoon, Washington came to refresh the grave of her mother with some fresh roses and took a moment to reflect on some of the things she remembered about Mackel and her love for her family.

&8220;She loved baking for birthdays,&8221; Washington said. &8220;It didn&8217;t matter if we were not home for our birthday, she would always bake our favorite cake. Mine was German chocolate.&8221;

Washington said her mother also had a fantastic yeast roll recipe.

Since her passing, Washington said she and her brother and sisters come to the cemetery at least once a week to place fresh flowers at the headstone to brighten up the place of rest for their mother.

&8220;She was always there for all of her children and grandchildren, so we try to come out here and be with her as often as we can and we bring reminders of the things she loved so much in life,&8221; Washington said.