This week Greenleaf Cemetery was presented with the donation of a new Mahindra Tractor/Front End Loader.

The tractor was donated by Mary Roberson, a native of Brownwood, now living in Abilene.  Roberson heard about the financial troubles of Greenleaf Cemetery on the news in Abilene.  “The need made the news up here in Abilene, and I thought ‘Oh My Goodness!’  So I thought ‘well I better go down there and see what’s going on.’ ”

Roberson was born and raised in Brownwood, her maiden name was Mary Ross.  She felt called to action because of her deep roots here.  “The reason is I grew up in Brownwood.  My parents, plus my grandparents on my mom’s side and on my dad’s side, are all buried there.”  In fact, she is a sixth- or seventh- generation descendent of Greenleaf Fisk, who is known as the Father of Brownwood and who donated the original land for the cemetery to the City of Brownwood.  Her grandfather George Miller built the original Brown County Jail, which is now part of the Brown County Museum of History in downtown Brownwood.  Also her Roberson ancestors started the Roberson Rent-All business here.

When Roberson came to learn more about the situation, she planned to maybe purchase a lawn mower for the cemetery.  “When I was a little girl, my Dad, Mother, and I would go out there and mow where Greenleaf Fisk and all of them (family ancestors) are buried.”  But after talking with Greenleaf employee Shane Agan, she realized that the front-end loader was a more critical need.  So she decided to step up and purchase the Mahindra front-end loader.  It was purchased locally from Wildfire Truck Sales and Outdoors in Early.

Roberson emphasized that new mowers are needed still, and encouraged other folks to help out there.

Steve Harris, President of the Greenleaf Cemetery Association, which manages the cemetery, expressed his appreciation:  “On behalf of the entire Greenleaf Cemetery Association Staff and Board, we would like to thank Mary Roberson for her generous equipment donation.  While many have offered to help, Mary stepped right up and in with that help.  Thanks to genuinely caring folks like Mary, Brownwood’s Historic Greenleaf Cemetery no doubt has brighter days ahead.”