A Century of Faith, Family & Community
Welcome to Long Cove Cemetery
Nestled in the rolling landscape of Lampasas County, Long Cove Cemetery is a sacred and enduring landmark of faith, family, and Texas pioneer heritage. For nearly 150 years, this hallowed ground has served as the final resting place for the men and women who built the Long Cove community — from Civil War soldiers to World War II veterans, from frontier settlers to beloved neighbors. It is a place where history is not forgotten, because the names carved in stone refuse to let it be.
Resting Here
Familiar Names, Enduring Legacies
The story of Long Cove Cemetery is inseparable from the story of the Long Cove community itself — a close-knit settlement of Central Texas pioneers who built their lives along the creeks and hills of Lampasas County. The congregation worshipped for decades in the Long Cove Schoolhouse, which also served as the community’s social gathering place, until it burned in 1925 and was replaced by a wooden sanctuary. When the last members voted to disband in 1981, they left behind not silence, but stone — and a cemetery that continues to speak for every soul laid to rest within its grounds.
Pioneer Settler Spotlight
Sarah Elizabeth Alsup Floyd
October 25, 1850 – unknown
One of the earliest documented residents of Long Cove, Sarah Elizabeth arrived on the Texas frontier in an era when Lampasas County was still wild and newly formed. Her grave stands among the oldest in the cemetery.
Community Elder Spotlight
COL Joe Bob Carden
June 26, 1943 – May 5, 2025
A Colonel who served his country with honor, Joe Bob Carden was among the most recently laid to rest at Long Cove. His burial reminds us that this ground still welcomes those who have given of themselves in service to others..
Historical Spotlight
Joseph T. Dunn
May 1827 – December 1907
Born before Texas was even a state, Joseph T. Dunn lived through the Republic of Texas, the Civil War, and the dawn of the 20th century. He represents a generation of men whose entire lives unfolded against the backdrop of a nation being born.
Gone Too Soon Spotlight
Melville John “Meb” Murphy
February 1883 – January 1911
Meb Murphy lived only 27 years, yet his headstone has stood for over a century — a reminder that Long Cove Cemetery holds not only long lives, but every life, each one worthy of remembrance.
Long-Time Resident Spotlight
Jo Ann Davey
April 21, 1938 – July 16, 2020
Jo Ann Davey’s story is not written in history books — it is written in the quiet loyalty of a woman who belonged to this land, and to the people on it. Hers is the story of most who rest here: an ordinary life, extraordinarily loved.
Veterans Tribute
Among the most sacred ground within Long Cove Cemetery are the graves of the men and women who answered the call to serve. From the battlefields of the Civil War to the theaters of World War II, veterans of multiple generations rest here beneath the Texas sky — their service a defining chapter not only of their own lives, but of this nation’s story. The Texas Historical Commission marker standing at the cemetery entrance bears witness to their sacrifice, ensuring that Long Cove remains a place where valor is remembered, not merely in words, but in the enduring quiet of honored ground.
Texas Historical Commission Marker No. 3121
Marker No. 3121
Recognized by the State of Texas
In 1985, the Texas Historical Commission permanently recognized Long Cove Cemetery with an official historical marker — a distinction that places this ground among the documented and protected heritage sites of the great state of Texas. Sponsored by the Godwin Family, whose own roots run deep in this community, the marker stands at the cemetery entrance as both a welcome and a declaration. It tells the story of the Long Cove Baptist Church, founded here in 1876 by Reverend Noah T. Byars and eight faithful charter members, and honors the pioneers, families, and veterans who made this land their home and their final resting place. To stand before it is to understand that what is preserved here is not simply a cemetery — it is a chapter of Texas history that will never be erased.
In 1985, the Texas Historical Commission permanently recognized Long Cove Cemetery with an official historical marker — a distinction that places this ground among the documented and protected heritage sites of the great state of Texas. Sponsored by the Godwin Family, whose own roots run deep in this community, the marker stands at the cemetery entrance as both a welcome and a declaration. It tells the story of the Long Cove Baptist Church, founded here in 1876 by Reverend Noah T. Byars and eight faithful charter members, and honors the pioneers, families, and veterans who made this land their home and their final resting place. To stand before it is to understand that what is preserved here is not simply a cemetery — it is a chapter of Texas history that will never be erased.
Support the Legacy
Help Us Preserve What Matters
Long Cove Cemetery has stood for nearly 150 years because people have cared enough to tend it — and that work continues today. Maintaining these sacred grounds requires ongoing dedication and resources, and every contribution, no matter the size, makes a meaningful difference in preserving this piece of Texas heritage for generations to come. If you feel moved to give, donations may be mailed to the address below. Long Cove Cemetery is a tax-exempt organization, and all gifts are fully tax-deductible. We are deeply grateful for your generosity and your commitment to keeping this ground hallowed.
Long Cove Cemetery Association
762 County Rd 2640
Lometa, Tx 76853
A Place Worth Seeing
Walk These Grounds
Every photograph taken at Long Cove Cemetery tells a story that words can only begin to capture — the weathered face of a headstone worn smooth by a century of Central Texas wind, the gentle slope of the land as it meets the sky, the iron stillness of a place that has witnessed both grief and grace. In 1985, the Texas Historical Commission erected Marker No. 3121 at the entrance of this cemetery, cementing its place in the permanent record of Texas history. We invite you to explore the gallery below, and when you are ready, to come see it for yourself.
You Are Welcome Here
Open to All, Always
Long Cove Cemetery keeps no locked gates and no posted hours — it simply waits, as it always has, open to anyone who wishes to come. Whether you are tracing a family name, paying respects to a veteran, photographing headstones for a genealogy project, or simply seeking a quiet place to reflect on something larger than yourself, you are welcome here at any hour, any day, in any season. This ground has never turned anyone away, and it never will.
Reach Out
We’d Love to Hear From You
Whether you are searching for a loved one, researching your family’s roots, or simply have a question about Long Cove Cemetery, we welcome your message. This place has always been rooted in community, and that spirit of openness extends to everyone who reaches out. Please use any of the contact options below — we will do our best to respond thoughtfully and promptly.
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