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When people are lucky, their passions can lead to a legacy.

That’s just what happened with Don Estes, a Natchez native who passed away last week in Oxford.

The son of Glenvall and Lorene Estes, Don was destined to be a lover of history and telling stories. And that was never more evident than when he took over as director of the Natchez City Cemetery after successful careers in the military, banking and as a business owner.

Don’s love of history led him to the historic cemetery, where he began leading tours to others who were interested in the stories – true and embellished – surrounding the cemetery’s inhabitants. In 1998, he became director of the cemetery, giving him a wide berth to continue his research and to lead those tours.

I can remember visiting with Don at the cemetery during Elderhostel tours and being fascinated by the history behind the graves and the people whose stories he brought to life. His tours were more than just rehashing of legends and tales; he invited his audience into the story and breathed life into a sacred space. A day with Don left the visitors with the gift of seeing beauty and life among the historic tombstones and monuments.

Many photographers who have passed through The Democrat’s newsroom have longed to produce a coffee-table book of photographs and history about the cemetery. But Don did just that, with his book “Legends of the Natchez City Cemetery.”

The book took 15 years to research and develop, perhaps because his subjects weren’t talking. But that didn’t slow Estes, who chronicled 118 of the most compelling stories from what he dubbed “the South’s most interesting cemetery.”

“I picked the stories that I felt were the most interesting, compelling, had the most humor or beauty,” Don told a reporter in 2009. “I had to leave out a number of really great stories, and I’m afraid that might sadden some Natchez families, but there is no way to get a comprehensive record of all the interesting tales.”

The book was both a labor of love and gift to the community.

“At some point I realized the magnitude of the beauty and interest in the Natchez City Cemetery,” Don said. “I knew these stories were unique and special and needed to be compiled into a fairly comprehensive book just to preserve the history as well as capture the beauty of this place.”

In 2000, Don was one of the founders of Angels on the Bluff – an incredible annual event that has been recognized as the state’s most outstanding tourist event. The three-day event, always held the first weekend in November, invites participants to join in evening walking tours through the cemetery, which dates to 1822. Luminaria light paths among the majestic oaks and locals dressed in character tell the first-person stories of some of the more fascinating of the cemetery’s residents.

And while the event’s entertainment factor makes it a sell-out each year, the hidden value lies in its economic impact – bringing 600 people to Natchez (most from out of town) for the weekend. Earlier this week, Lyn Fortenberry Jenkins at the Natchez Chamber of Commerce shared that those visitors may spend their evenings on the cemetery tour, but their days are spent shopping and eating in local establishments, staying in short-term rentals and hotels. “As far as local impact goes, it is one of the biggest events of the year for our downtown and local businesses,” she said.

Don’s legacy at the cemetery lies behind the scenes, as well. Stella Carby served on the cemetery association board during Don’s tenure as director and she recalled that he and Bea Byrnes were the vision and driving force behind the event. “He helped propel the cemetery forward into the 21st Century in terms of modernizing record-keeping and guidelines,” she said, referring to the vital but not glamorous work Don did as director.

Don passed away while living in Oxford, but he is returning to his beloved Natchez City Cemetery. A graveside service will take place at 11 a.m. on Monday and, from there, he will rest among the other legends.

Stacy G. Graning is publisher of The Democrat. Email her at stacy.graning@natchezdemocrat.com.