Baby Finally Gets Grave Marker at California Cemetery 120 Years After Her Death

A baby finally got a grave marker at a California cemetery, nearly 120 years after her death. Maytie Raker was the first person laid to rest at Inglewood Park Cemetery, but her grave went unmarked for 120 years.

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NEED TO KNOW

Maytie Raker, the first person buried at Inglewood Park Cemetery in 1906, finally received a grave marker

Cemetery and city leaders honored Maytie with a headstone to correct history and celebrate her memory

Her grave marker, adorned with butterflies and a flower, is next to her sister Hattie’s similar headstone

More than a century after her death, Maytie Raker finally has a grave marker.

According to CBS News, baby Maytie was only 4 months old when she died. She was the first person to be buried at Inglewood Park Cemetery on July 20, 1906, but her grave remained unmarked for 120 years.

“We got to do the Raker family justice,” said Inglewood city council member Alex Padilla. “Today is one of those gone, but never forgotten moments. And we celebrate the life of Maytie.”

In an effort to correct history, city and park leaders honored Maytie, finally giving her a headstone. The permanent marker was commissioned by cemetery leadership.

inglewoodparkcemetery/instagram

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“We were here even before Inglewood was a city,” Brendt Stallings, CEO of Inglewood Park Cemetery, told the outlet. “We at Inglewood Park Cemetery recognize the special place, the special role that we fill in the Inglewood and Los Angeles community. We like to say sometimes that we are probably the most permanent institution in this community.”

Although both Maytie and her sister died in infancy, their brother Alexander lived until 1993, carrying on their family legacy.

inglewoodparkcemetery/instagram

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“That’s what the city of Inglewood is. We are family, we remember important days and times, and we come together for the good times; we also come together to remember,” said Dionne Faulk, city council member.

Maytie’s grave marker is decorated with butterflies and a flower, and “forever in our hearts” is written above her name. Maytie is buried next to her sister Hattie, whose headstone features similar imagery.

“Long after the stadiums have worn out, the arenas have worn out, Inglewood Park Cemetery will still be here,” said Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts.

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