October 18, 2014 – A memorial service was held today for Mattie Clyburn Rice, who died recently at the age of 91. Her ashes were buried in the grave of her father, Weary Clyburn, a Confederate Civil War veteran. Rice had fought for years to have his service to the Confederacy recognized. A slave before and during the war, Clyburn accompanied his master’s son to the battlefront and saved his life on one occasion.
Clyburn died in 1930 at the age of 88 or 89 and was buried in a gray Confederate uniform. Mattie was only eight years old at the time. Her father was finally recognized with a special grave marker in 2008, thanks to his daughter’s efforts.
Confederate war reenactors dressed in period uniforms fired cannons during Rice’s graveside service as a tribute to her and her father. Also in attendance were representatives from the United Daughters of the Confederacy and former Georgia congressman Ben Jones, who played Cooter on the “Dukes of Hazard” TV series.
Link: AP
Additional Photos
(click thumbnails to enlarge)
[divider]