Why do people put rocks on grave stones? Some time ago, I learned that the rocks signified a visitor. That is true enough, but I decided to learn a little more about the custom and share my findings with you.
Putting rocks on tombstones is most often described as a Jewish custom. There are many "Ask a Rabbi" columns out there, but I did not find one that knew for sure where the custom originated. They all agreed, however, that a rock symbolized a visitor and when put on a tombstone said, "I remember you." I also read that some people pick up a rock wherever they are when they think of a person that has passed. Then, the next time they visit the grave, they place the rock to say, "I wish you were here."
Rabbi Shraga Simmons offers a deeper meaning: "We are taught that it is an act of ultimate kindness and respect to bury someone and place a marker at the site. After a person is buried, of course, we can no longer participate in burying them. Howe…
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His sister in-law was Clara Nesbitt, a local educator. She was the namesake for Nesbitt Elementary here in Gwinnett County.
I just happend to run across this while surfing the net.
I am Lum Howell's grand daughter.My mother Ida Bernice Howell Stokes is buried next to him. Yes, he was a blacksmith, in Norcross. I actually have some of his original tools and I still live in the Duluth area.
If you would like to further discuss this you can contact me at karen_stokesgarcia@live.com.