The parents in the Too Soon group inMadison have created a place of peace toremember their children in the heart of the city.The Madison Children’s Memorial Garden islocated on the south side of Strawberry PatchPark, near the chapel. “It was the last of severallocations that the mayor took us to see,” saysChristine Kelly, one of the mothers whospearheaded the project. “We looked at spotsat the Simmons Arboretum and at Liberty Park,but we knew when we saw this spot that it wouldbe the ideal place for the garden. This is a parkmany of our children have played in, and it’s aspecial place in our city.”Mayor Mary Hawkins Butler is pleasedwith the project. “I know of no other city thathas a memorial garden like this for children.It pulls at my heartstrings to see mothers andfathers grieving. When one person hurts in ourcity, we all hurt. It is wonderful to see familieshave a place to come together to remember theirloved ones, and to pray. I feel such a sweet spiritin that place.”The garden grew out of a conversationbetween Cordie Rodenbaugh and DonnaYowell. Cordie was making a memorial gardenin her backyard where she could remember herson. She consulted with Donna, a Madisonresident who founded the Flower Growers ofMississippi and serves as executive director ofthe Mississippi Urban Forest Council, aboutflowers for her garden. Rodenbaugh was inspired32 • MAY 2022and felt that a public garden should be built toremember lost children. She formed the TooSoon group as a way for parents sharing asimilar tragedy to support each other throughthe healing process.The Madison Children’s Memorial Gardenfeatures a large fountain surrounded by a brickwalkway. Families can purchase a brick which isengraved with the name of a child who haspassed away. An archway marks the entrance tothe garden off the walking trail at StrawberryPatch Park. There are benches where parents cansit and pray while remembering their child.“This garden means so much to me,” saysMel Lanke. “My son is buried in Alabama, butI can come here anytime I want and see hisname on our brick. That is comforting for me.”The bricks help fund the garden, which is still awork in progress. “We have had people purchasea brick on the anniversary of a child’s death, oron their birthday or other special day,” says LynnWilbanks, a founding member of the group.Several people and organizations haveparticipated in making the garden a reality. TheJunior Auxiliary of Madison County and CNNRailroad donated funds to help purchase plantsand trees. Other fundraisers were held, includinggrilled chicken dinners by Madison resident BillyBoykin, which has raised over $13,000 for theMemorial Garden.The late Miriam Ethridge worked with thegroup to design and plant the garden. “I’m prettysure Miriam had her hands on almost every plantin this garden,” says Christine. “We alsoworked with Alan Hoops, the city’s directorof environment and design, and Gary Tolbert,superintendent of parks in Madison.”There are special events at the garden,including a “sip and see” at Christmas. “Therewas a Christmas tree with ornaments for allthe lost children,” Christine says. “And familiesoften gather to remember loved ones on theirbirthdays.”Lynn Baney says that the garden is a specialplace for her to remember her son, as it is forothers who have lost a child. “It’s for everyone,not just moms,” she says. “Dads and other familymembers have suffered a tremendous loss as well.There is a tab on our website for donations to bemade to the city, which will be directed to thegarden,” she continued.The Too Soon group also has workdayswhere anyone can come help. “We do a workdayonce a month,” says Kim Kelly. “We encourageanyone who would like to work in the garden tocome join us.”Lynn says she is so thankful for the memorialgarden. “While no parent will ever be fullyhealed from the loss of a child, this helps withthe healing process. Being close to nature helpsbring us closer to God, and we feel closer to ourchildren when we do something with purpose.This helps the community remember ourchildren as well.”Visit madisonchildrensmemorialgarden.com
“While no parent will everbe fully healed from theloss of a child, this helpswith the healing process.Being close to nature helpsbring us closer to God,and we feel closer to ourchildren when we dosomething with purpose.This helps the communityremember ourchildren as well.”Hometown MADISON • 33
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