CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Broken headstones, downed trees and memories of loved ones fading away are the current conditions of the South Asheville Cemetery after Helene tore through the area.

Phyllis Utley is trying to change that image, as she works to restore the historical site.

"It's my duty to preserve this site after I benefited from all of my ancestors," said Utley, the manager of the Cemetery Remembrance Project.

Utley finds solitude in spending time with the gravestones.

“We keep the history alive, it's magic. It’s eternal power actually, because it lives on," Utley said.

She's keeping that history alive by restoring the grave markers that were destroyed in Helene's path.

As she puts it, the storm didn't just level trees, it unearthed stories that live under the soil.

“If I look behind me and see this disruption, it is a painful thing. It's a painful thing, because so much work has happened to even get it to where it is today," Utley said.

The cemetery and many of the slaves who were buried in it were owned by Confederate Maj. William Wallace McDowell.

George Avery, one of McDowell's slaves, took care of the graves before he died.

Now it's Utley's turn.

She brushes away the debris left on the stones, hoping that one day someone will do the same for her.

“What you do today to help honor the ancestors will be helpful for others coming after us... and then when we are ancestors, recognizing that folks will give care and attention to us as well," Utley said.

Utley can’t restore the sacred grounds alone. She’s building an army of remembrance with high school students, churches and nonprofits, all answering the call to care.

"I'm really grateful to see what's in people’s hearts, you know, the commitment. You can't put a price tag on that," Utley said.