NATCHEZ &045; On Saturday afternoon, the Auburn Garden Club planted a live oak on the grounds of the antebellum mansion as a tribute to Mabel P. Jones.

A member of the club for 25 years, Jones died in August.

&uot;We all know how hard Mabel worked. She planted flowers, swept, dusted and a little bit of everything else. Just look around you and you will see her touches everywhere,&uot; club president Dottie McGehee said.

The sapling was planted near centuries-old live oaks that grace the front lawn of the red brick, two story home. Club member Mackie Saleeby read from the Nancy Byrd Turner poem, &uot;Planting a Tree.&uot;

&uot;This tree will always be known as Mabel’s tree,&uot; Saleeby told a group of about 30 who gathered for the memorial.

Afterward, refreshments were served in the dining room of the house. Jones’ daughter, Mollie Echols, presented the club with an angel as a token of her mother’s love for the Christmas season at Auburn.

&uot;There were stars in her eyes when she talked about the things she did with you-all at Christmas. It was a such a special time for her,&uot; Echols said.

An all-volunteer organization, the club has maintained Auburn and its grounds for the city since 1972. The city shares a percentage of proceeds from tours of the home.

Tours are available Monday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.; and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.

Tour prices are $8 for adults and $4 for children.

Natchez residents are admitted free of charge.