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Dale Collier, mows the grass around the tombstones in the Natchez City Cemetery Monday in Natchez. (Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

A view of the Natchez City Cemetery. (Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

A view of the Natchez City Cemetery. (File Photo | The Natchez Democrat)

Dale Collier and other workers mow the grass around the tombstones in the Natchez City Cemetery Monday in Natchez. (Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

(Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

A view of the Natchez City Cemetery. (Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

A view of the Natchez City Cemetery. (Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

A view of the Natchez City Cemetery. (Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

NATCHEZ — For many people cemeteries are places for grieving and remembrance, where they lay loved ones to rest, walk with the memories of final goodbyes.

Some people have a longing to be close to departed loved ones one more time, mentally replaying moments, holding tight to a shirt the departed used to wear, or studying old photographs.

Some people like to visit their loved ones’ final resting places on birthdays and anniversaries and every so often survivors go back to visit, pay respects, sometimes leaving flowers or other mementos. Regardless of the reason for cemetery visits, visitors expect the cemetery grounds to be well maintained.

That’s where Dale Collier and the workers at the Natchez City Cemetery come into play.

Collier was born and raised in Natchez and has been working at the Natchez City Cemetery for approximately 20 years.

He does everything, including trimming trees, mowing grass, maintaining burial sites and digging graves.

“I enjoy the quiet,” Collier said. “It’s peaceful out here.”

Collier said the cemetery is an unusual place to show up for work every day but he has never had any hesitation working at any cemetery. Collier now has the most seniority of his crew.

“I’ve buried a couple of celebrities, close friends and family,” Collier said. “And countless others, I couldn’t even tell you how many people I’ve buried here.”

He listed off NFL football player, Joe Fortunato of the Chicago Bears who died in 2017 and the former Governor of Mississippi Bill Allain, who died in 2013.

The graves he has dug for his family included relatives who were younger than he was.

“I’ve buried two nieces out here,” Collier said. “One was murdered not too long ago and a nephew who died of SIDS, and the other niece, stillborn.”

That’s not the first time death has come to claim a child in Collier’s family.

Collier and his wife, Elizabeth Norris, had two daughters, his step-daughters. Tiffany, 26, works at St. Andrews Thrift Store in Vidalia.

“We lost the youngest one in 2010 to cystic fibrosis,” Collier said, “So it’s been a little bit rough the last couple of years.”

He described Grace who died at the age of 10, as a beautiful red-headed girl with blue eyes who acted as mature as a 25-year-old. “I miss her though,” he said.

Collier said sometimes being out in the cemetery brings up those memories for him, but at the same time it is somewhat comforting.

“I mean, I know they’re not there anymore,” Collier said, “Once you die you’re gone.”

Collier said he believed when someone dies their soul goes to heaven or hell.

When he’s digging graves Collier said he tries not to let his mind wander.

“I just try to think it’s a box I’m putting in the ground. That’s the best way to do it,” he said. “When I get over there, I just see a box. I don’t see the person. I just see a box and that’s it. That’s the best way to deal with this. If you try to sit there and dwell on it, you can’t get through this.”

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