Scott County woman honors son's memory by keeping road clean

BENTON, Mo. -- A Scott County woman is honoring her son's memory by keeping a county road clean.

Presiding Commissioner Jamie Burger said during the County Commission meeting Tuesday that Angela Walker of Sikeston, Mo., has volunteered to pick up trash along County Road 333.

"She is adopting one of our county roads, which is the first time this has ever happened for us," Burger said. "Her son got killed on that road."

Burger said the county will put signs up noting the road's adoption and is supplying her with trash bags.

"One of the things she wanted to stress on her sign is that people should wear seat belts because evidently her son wasn't," said Norman Brant, county highway superintendent.

Brant said they have designated a locker for Walker at the highway department complex in Benton. "We will keep reflective vests and trash bags there," Brant said.

The Scott County Highway Department will pick up the filled bags along the the road.

"The first time she policed the road she collected over 20 large trash bags of trash," Burger said. "It's a long road."

Brant estimated the road is close to two miles long.

"I think it's very admirable what she's stepped up and done. We of Scott County truly appreciate it. It's been kind of a pilot program for us that we appreciate very much," Burger said. "Ms. Walker is to be commended and thanked."

Burger added: "Anybody else who would want to adopt a county road would be more than welcome."el Evans, county developer.