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EPISODE THREE: A CEMETERY ANGEL

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EPISODE SUMMARY

Ruth Coker Burks, Arkansas’s “cemetery angel,” provided end-of-life care for patients with AIDS in Hot Springs during the height of the AIDS crisis and buried their remains in her family’s cemetery. Later, MC Taylor of Hiss Golden Messenger reads “Three Encounters” by John Jeremiah Sullivan. Plus: Los Texmaniacs perform live from the Fayetteville Roots Festival.

EPISODE NOTES

THE PROLOGUE
Known as Arkansas’s “cemetery angel,” Ruth Coker Burks provided end-of-life care for patients with AIDS in Hot Springs during the height of the AIDS crisis and buried their remains in her family’s cemetery.

IN ADAPTATION
“Three Encounters” by John Jeremiah Sullivan.
Performed by MC Taylor of Hiss Golden Messenger.

Produced by Spacebomb and Maxwell George

IN SESSION
A Fayetteville Roots Festival performance by Los Texmaniacs.

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For more information visit oxfordamerican.org/pointssouth.





Sara A. Lewis

Sara A. Lewis earned her PhD from the University of Southern Mississippi’s Center for Writers. She is associate editor of the Oxford American.