Decedent

Gospel Pilgrim Decedents has a comprehensive list of men, women, and children interred in the cemetery. Using grave markers, obituaries, and death certificates, we have complied a list of individuals buried within the cemetery and, to the extent possible with archival silences, developed short biographies of each persons' life. Some decedents have marked graves, while others do not.

In part, this data is based on an early 2000s GIS survey of the cemetery, which was completed by David Berle, Gail Tarver, Taylor Ladd from the University of Georgia's Horticulture Department. The Athens-Clarke County Death Certificate data was, likewise, transcribed by Leah Richier, an graduate alumni of the University of Georgia's Department of History.

Last Name	First Name	Gender	Race	Status	Occupation	DOB	DOD	Age	Grave Location	Grave Marker	Biography
	Marcellus	Male	African American	Unknown					Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	[biographical information unknown]
Greene	Marcus	Male	African American	Free		December 31, 1901	December 31, 1934	32	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Salemma Greene, Marcus James Greene was born on September 18, 1902. As a child he lived with family on Foundry Street in 1910. He died from unknown causes on August 4, 1935. He was 32 years old at the time of his death.
Bacon	Marenia	Female	African American	Enslaved	Cook	December 31, 1823			Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Minerva Bacon was born around 1824 and most likely enslaved as a young woman. She married Robert Bacon sometime before 1870 and the couple had at least threechildren: Robert Jr., Edward, and Mary. In 1880, she lived with her husband, sons, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren at 353 Foundry Street in Athens. She worked as a “Washer & Ironer” in 1880 and as a “cook” in 1889. According to the 1889 City Directory, she lived at 414 N Foundry Street. She died from unknown causes on an unknown date.
Matthews	Margaret	Female	African American	Free	Teacher	December 31, 1877	December 31, 1977	101	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Margaret “Maggie” Matthews born around 1878.She married John T. Matthews, and the couple rented a home at 1095 W Hancock Avenue in 1920 and 1930. She worked as a rural school teacher and public school teacher. According to the 1956 City Directory, she stilled lived at that address. At 101 years old, she died from unknown causes on March 6, 1978.
Jones	Margaret	Female	African American	Enslaved	Laborer		December 31, 1920	87	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Thomas	Margret	Female	African American	Enslaved	Cook		December 31, 1919	80	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Williams	Maria	Female	African American	Free		December 31, 1877	December 31, 1890	8	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The daughter of Jane and Isaac Williams, Marie Williams was born on January 26, 1878. In 1880, she lived with her parents at the corner of Foundry Street and Connecticut Street. At 8 years old, she died from unknown causes on March 30, 1886.
George	Maria	Female	African American	Enslaved		December 31, 1824	December 31, 1914	90	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Maria George was born around 1825 and most likely spent the first half of her life enslaved. As a widow in 1910, she owned a home at 584 Strong Street. She still lived at that address in 1912, according to the City Directory. She died from unknown causes on March 14, 1915.
Derricott	Mariah	Female	African American	Enslaved	Housework		December 31, 1925	95	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Thomas	Marion	Male	African American	Free		December 31, 1903	December 31, 1936	33	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Marion Clemons Thomas was born around 1904. At 33 years old, he died on December 16, 1937.
Harris	Marion	Male	African American	Free		December 31, 1899	December 31, 1911	11	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	According to his tombstone, Marion O. Harris was born on September 18, 1900 and died on April 16, 1912. He was only 11 years old at the time of his death.
Holbrook	Marion	Male	African American	Free	Post Office Clerk	December 31, 1879	December 31, 1928	49	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Marion J. Holbrook was born on April 14, 1879 or 1880. He married Carrie Jones Holbrook and the couple had at least two children: Marion and Georgia. He worked various jobs in his early years; he was barber in 1900 and a laborer at “Odd Jobs” in 1910. He started working as a post office clerk in 1911, and remained at that position for the remainder of his life. He intentional shot himself and died from two gunshot wounds on May 6, 1929. At the time of his death, he had been living with his wife at 130 Harris Street.
Whitelock	Martha	Female	African American	Unknown			December 31, 1896		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Martha Whitelock died from unknown causes in 1897. She may have been the wife of John Whitelock (or Whittlock), who worked as a laborer and lived at 805 Athens Avenue, according to the 1894 City Directory.
Eberhart	Martha	Female	African American	Free	Housework		December 31, 1918	33	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Smith	Martha	Female	African American	Enslaved	Domestic	December 31, 1859	December 31, 1921	62	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The daughter of Jim Nealy, Martha Smith was born around 1860 in Alabama and most likely enslaved as a child. She married Seboon (or “Siabam”) Smith around 1870 and the couple had at least six children: Inez, Willie, and Samuel. In 1910, she worked as a “sick nurse” and lived with her family on Bertin Street. She died from “cancer return” on May 30, 1922. According to her Death Certificate, she worked as a domestic and lived at 181 Lyndon Avenue.
Brown	Martha	Female	African American	Enslaved		December 31, 1831	December 31, 1858	27	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	According to her tombstone, Martha M. Brown was born on September 27, 1832 and died on November 4, 1859; she was most likely enslaved. Her body was most likely moved to Gospel Pilgrim sometime after 1882, when the cemetery opened.
Nolan	Mary	Female	African American	Free	Cook	December 31, 1877	December 31, 1947	70	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Mary “May” Jackson Nolan was born around 1878. She married Robert Nolan on December 28, 1895 and the couple had at least three children: Edward, Robert, and Eva. In 1930, she worked as a cook and her husband worked as a “yard man.” The family lived at 434 Peabody Street in 1930 and, in 1931, they lived at 167 Peabody Street. According to the 1942 City Directory, At 70 years old, she died from unknown causes on November 9, 1948.
Bacon	Mary	Female	African American	Enslaved	Laundress	December 31, 1848	December 31, 1916	68	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	According to her tombstone, Mary Bacon was born on October 17, 1849 and, given her date of birth, sge likely spent her childhood enslaved. According to the 1909 City Directory, she worked as a laundress and lived at 554 E Strong Street. at 68 years old, she died from uknown causes on November 27, 1917. She is most likely either the mother, sister, or wife of Edward Bacon, who was also buried in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery.
Jacks	Mary	Female	African American	Enslaved	Laborer		December 31, 1923	70	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Maxwell	Mary	Female	African American	Free			December 31, 1969		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	According to her obituary, Mary Brooks Maxwell, who resided at 258 Lyndon Avenue, died from unknown causes on February 21, 1970. She was the mother of Charlie J. Maxwell, Mary T. Maxwell, V. Blanche Moore, Ann S. Teasly, Frederica N. Maxwell, and Lucy V. Johnson. The funeral was handled by McWhorter Funeral Home. He was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; his grave may be unmarked.
Cook	Mary	Female	African American	Free	Laborer		December 31, 1925	60	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Cole	Mary	Female	African American	Unknown	Laundress	December 31, 1859	December 31, 1942	83	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Mary Camilla Cole was born sometime between 1850 and 1870; it is unknown is she was born free or enslaved.. She married William Cole and gave birth to nine children. In 1910, only two of her children, Hansel Cole and an unnamed child, were living. In 1910, the family lived on John Street in Athens. According to the 1942 City Directory, she worked as a laundress and lived at 320 Cleveland Avenue. She died from unknown causes on February 15, 1943.
Harden	Mary	Female	African American	Enslaved			December 31, 1926	95	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Colbert	Mary	Female	African American	Free	Nurse		December 31, 1946		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	According to her obituary, Mrs. Mary J. Colbert, the mother of Mrs. Mamie Harden and a “veteran nurse civic and religious leader,” died from unknown causes in November 1947. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave is unmarked.
Dukes	Mary	Female	African American	Enslaved	Cook	December 31, 1842	December 31, 1907	65	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	According to her tombstone, Mary Dukes died at 65 years old on July 10, 1908. Given these dates, she would have been born enslaved around 1843. According to the 1889 City Directory, she worked as a cook and lived at 216 Hancock Avenue.
Davis	Mary	Female	African American	Enslaved	Housewife		December 31, 1926	79	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Johnson	Mary	Female	African American	Free		December 31, 1887	December 31, 1970	83	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	According to her tombstone, she was born on January 2, 1888 and died from unknown causes on January 18, 1971.
Heard	Mary	Female	African American	Free	Cook	December 31, 1844	December 31, 1927	83	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Born around 1845, Mary Heard was most likely enslaved as a child. In 1870, she worked as a domestic servant for Stevens Thomas and his white family. Sometime before 1880, she married Bartlett Heard a farmer and the couple lived in Buck Branch, Clarke County, Georgia. After his death in June 1890, she worked as a farm laborer. In 1909, she worked as a cook and lived 185 Valley [Road or Street]. She died from unknown causes in 1928.
Sims	Mary	Female	African American	Free			December 31, 1945		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Mary E. Sims was born around 1903. She married M.C. Sims Sr. In 1930, she worked as a laundress and lived on Fifth Street with her husband and their son Sam. The 1940 US Census lists her as a widow, employed as a cook and living on Hull Street with her sister, Sara Hill, and two of Hill’s grandchildren. At the time of her death Mary Sims lived at 853 West Weddell Street. At 43 years old, she died from unknown causes on October 18, 1946. [Researched and written by Ainsley Stephens]
Bimett	Mary	Female	African American	Enslaved	Laborer		December 31, 1921	70	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Boland	Mary	Female	African American	Free	Laborer		December 31, 1922	49	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Stricklyn	Mary	Female	African American	Free	Laborer		December 31, 1921	45	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Harris	Mary	Female	African American	Unknown					Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	[biographical information unknown]
Sullivan	Mary	Female	African American	Free	Housework		December 31, 1919	46	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Griggs	Mary	Female	African American	Free			December 31, 1966		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	According to her obituary, Mother Mary Thomas, who resided at 541 Irene St NE in Atlanta, died from unknown causes in September 1967. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked.
Deadwyler	Mary	Female	African American	Free	Cook	December 31, 1892	December 31, 1962	69	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The daughter of Mattie Deadwyler, Mary Deadwyler was born in 1893. In 1900, she lived with her mother, sister (Martha), and a niece (Gertrude) at 410 Reese Street. She worked as a house maid in 1900, a maid at a hotel in 1910 and as a cook in 1920 and 1930. In 1930, she was a widow living with her mother, sister, and brother-in-law at 600 W Broad Street. According to the 1958 City Directory, she lived at 817 Waddell Street. She died from unknown causes on February 12, 1963.
Martin	Mary	Female	African American	Enslaved	Laundress	December 31, 1829	December 31, 1902	73	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Mary Martin was born around 1830 and most likely spend the majority of her life enslaved. She married George Martin and the couple had at least one child: Essen Martin. In 1880, she worked as a “washer and ironer” and the family lived on an “unnamed street near River Street.” According to the 1897 City Directory, she lived at 648 Odd Street, East Athens. She died from unknown causes on April 25, 1903.
Horton	Mary	Female	African American	Free		December 31, 1916	December 31, 1918	2	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Mary Horton was the infant of Susie Lovinggood Horton, a music teacher, and William J. Horton, a mail carrier. She was born in 1917 and died in 1919.
Grady	Mary	Female	African American	Free	Cook		December 31, 1919	22	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Brown	Mary	Female	African American	Free		December 31, 1913	December 31, 1944	31	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	According to her tombstone, Mary Frances Brown was born on 1914. She most likely married Reese Brown, a "helper" at Athens Labor Company, and, according to the 1940 City Directory, the couple lived at 151 Strickland Avenue. At 31 years old, she died from unknown causes on 1945.
Derricotte	Mathew	Male	African American	Free	Laborer	December 31, 1899	December 31, 1943	54	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Mathew “Booby” Derricotte was born around 1890. In 1909, he worked as a laborer and lived at 46 Hull Street. He married Lucy Derricotte and, according to the 1942 City Directory, they lived at 270 Fifth Street. He still worked as laborer. At 54 years old, he died from unknown causes on October 28, 1944.
Thomas	Matt	Male	African American	Enslaved	Driver		December 31, 1923	60	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Lyles	Mattie	Female	African American	Free	Laundress	December 31, 1880	December 31, 1934	55	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The daughter of Isabel Owens and Coloumbus Hardman, Mattie Owens Lyles was born on March 12, 1881. She married Eugene Lyles sometime before 1910. In 1910, she worked as a washer woman and, in 1930, she was a housewife. She died from diabetes mellitus and candidiasis disease on August 25, 1935. According to her Death Certificate, she was a housewife living at 147 Plum Street.
Heard	Mattie	Female	African American	Enslaved	Teacher	December 31, 1862	December 31, 1942	78	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Mattie I. Heard was born around 1863 and most likely enslaved. She married William Heard, a blacksmith, in 1897 and the couple does not appear to have had living children. She worked as a teacher in 1900, 1910, and 1920 At the time of her husband’s death in 1939, they lived at 475 Reese Street. She died from unknown causes on November 13, 1943.
[??]	Mattie	Female	African American	Unknown					Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	[biographical information unknown]
Deadwyler	Mattie	Female	African American	Enslaved	Cook	December 31, 1851	December 31, 1938	86	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Mattie Deadwyler was born around 1852 and most likely enslaved as a child. In 1870, she worked as a domestic servant and lived in Elbert, Georgia. She moved to Athens sometime before 1900, and, at that time, lived with her two daughters (Mary and Martha) and a granddaughter (Gertrude) at 410 Reese Street. According to the 1900, 1910, 1920 Census, she worked as a cook. In 1930, she no longer worked and lived at 600 W Broad Street. She remained at this address, according to the 1938 City Directory. She died from unknown causes on January 4, 1939.
Mack	Mattie	Female	African American	Free	Student	December 31, 1888	December 31, 1913	25	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The daughter of Charlotte and John Mack, Mattie B. Mack was born in 1889. She attended school in 1900 and lived with her parents at 915 Reese Street. According to the 1913 City Directory, she lived at 853 Reese Street. At 25 years old, she died from unknown causes in 1914.
Hawkins	Mattie	Female	African American	Free			December 31, 1952		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	According to her obituary, Mattie M. Hawkins, who resided at 650 Hancock Avenue, died on December 31, 1953. The funeral was handled by Mutual Funeral Home. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked.
Holmes	Mattie	Female	African American	Free	Child		December 31, 1920	0	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Mason	Mattie	Female	African American	Enslaved	Nurse	December 31, 1853	December 31, 1941	88	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Mattie Shaw Mason was born in April 1854 and most likely spend her childhood enslaved. In 1900, she was a wife and nurse living at 1024 Billups Street. Still working as a nurse in 1920, her address was listed as Hancock Avenue. By 1930, she her address was again listed as Billups Street, this time living at 1196 Billups Street. She, then, lived at 1196 Hancock Avenue according to the 1940 Census. At 88 years old, she died from unknown causes on November 16, 1942.
Reid	Mattiline	Female	African American	Free		December 31, 1892	December 31, 1893		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The daughter of Laura and Lorenza Reid, Mattiline I. Reid was born on August 14, 1893 and died on July 30, 1894. She was only 6 months old. In 1897, her father lived at 431 Bridge Street; this is most likely her last known address.
Morton	Maude	Female	African American	Free	Teacher	December 31, 1896	December 31, 1986	90	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The daughter of and Monroe “Pink” Bowers Morton and Tallulah Morton, Maude Muller Morton was born on January 5, 1897. In 1910, she attended school and lived with her parents on Prince Avenue. She graduated college and worked as a public school leveler in 1930 and as an elementary school teacher in 1940. According to the 1958 City Directory, she lived at 823 Prince Avenue. At 90 years old, she died from unknown causes on October 15, 1987.
Johnson	May	Female	African American	Free	Domestic	December 31, 1882	December 31, 1960	77	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Maybelle Johnson was born between 1883 and 1884. According to the 1952 City Directory, she worked as a maid and lived at 198 Marlin Street. She died from unknown causes on February 16, 1961.
Griffieth	Mayfield	Female	African American	Free	Student		December 31, 1925	16	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Flanigan	Melvin	Male	African American	Free		December 31, 1914	December 31, 1976		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	According to his obituary, Melvin Coot Flanigan, who resided at 190 Cleveland Avenue, died from unknown causes in December 1977. The funeral was handled by Hurley Funeral Home. He was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; his grave may be unmarked.
Adams	Mentie	Female	African American	Enslaved	Wife	December 31, 1854	December 31, 1902	46	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Mentie Adams was born around 1855 and most likely enslaved as a child. Even so, according to the 1900 Census, she could both read and write. In 1875, she married John H. Adams, who worked as a “Presser” in Athens. The couple had five children, but only four—John, William, Mentie, and David—lived to adulthood. In 1900, the family lived at 272 Attica Avenue. Adams died from unknown causes on March 31, 1903. She was 46yrs, 7mons, 11 days old. According to the 1904 City Directory—published only a year after her death—John Adams lived at 1020 W Hancock Avenue; this is most likely her last known address.
Bunkley	Mildred	Female	African American	Free	Pressing Club Worker	December 31, 1891	December 31, 1940	49	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Mildred Bunkley was born around 1886 and competed the first year of high school. Sometime after 1920, she married Robert L. Bunkley, a pressing club proprietor, and worked alongside her husband at the pressing club. For most of their life, the couple lived at 449 Reese Street. According to the 1937 City Directory, they lived at 449 Reese Street. On August 21, 1941, she died from unknown causes. She was in her late 40s at the time of her death.
Campbell	Miller	Male	African American	Free	Soldier	December 31, 1880	December 31, 1935	55	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Miller L. Campbell was born around 1881. He enlisted as a private in the 1Cl. Hospital Corps in 1905; his military records described him as a man of dark complexion, with brown eyes, standing 5 foot 5 ½ inches tall. He most likely married Jane Campbell and lived at 748 Hull Street. He died from unknown causes on July 13, 1936 and was around 55 years old at the time of his death.
Harris	Millie	Female	African American	Free	Laundress	December 31, 1894	December 31, 1911	17	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	According to her tombstone, Millie Harris was born around 1895. According to the 1909 City Directory, she worked as a laundress and lived at 197 Bridge Street. She died from unkonow causes on September 16, 1912.
Cobb	Minnie	Female	African American	Free	Wife	December 31, 1891	December 31, 1943	52	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Born around July 14, 1890, Minnie Johnson Cobb married Crawford Cobb, a tailor. According to the 1938 City Directory, he worked as a tailor and they lived at 874 Water Street. In 1940, she did not work and lived with her husband at 874 Hobson Avenue. According to the 1942 City Directory, she lived once again at 874 Water Street. She died from unknown causes on February 12, 1944.
Cobb	Minnie	Female	African American	Free			December 31, 1943		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	According to her obituary, Minnie Lee Crawford Cobb died from unknown causes in February 1944. The funeral was handled by Mack & Payne Funeral home. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave is unmarked.
Diggs	Minnie	Female	African American	Free	Teacher		December 31, 1995		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	According to her obituary, Minnie Diggs died from unknown causes in 1996. A 1922 graduate from Morris Brown College, she was active as an alumni and a local community member. She was remembered as “a very powerful, strong women; not in stature, but in determination.” She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked.
Sims	Minnie	Female	African American	Free	Cook	December 31, 1874	December 31, 1930	56	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The daughter of Caroline and D. Charlie Whales, Minnie Whales Sims was born around 1875. She married John H. Sims and the couple had at least four children: Robert, M. C, Susie, and George. She worked as a Laundress in 1910 and a cook in 1930. At 56 years old, she died from [??] on November 4, 1931. At the time of her death, she lived at 499 Madison Avenue and worked as a domestic.
Davis	Minnie	Female	African American	Free			December 31, 1939		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	According to her tombstone, Minnie [H?] Davis died in February 1940. According to the 1904 City Directory, J. W. Daivs worked as a mail carrier and lived at 24 Strong Street. In 1909, he was married to Minnie Davis and they lived at 178 Strong Street.
Davis	Minnie	Female	African American	Enslaved	Teacher	December 31, 1858	December 31, 1939	80	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The daughter of Aggie Crawford and James Young, Minnie Davis was born on December 13, 1859 near Penfield, Georgia. Enslaved to John Crawford, Davis spent her childhood in Athens, Georgia. Denied a formal education in slavery, Davis took full advantage of freedom’s offerings. She enrolled at Knox Institution, a school for black children that had been established by the Freedmen’s Bureau in the spring of 1868. She then graduated from Atlanta University before returning to Athens to teach school for over forty years. Her husband, Samuel B. Davis, published the Athens Clipper, a newspaper catering to Athens's emerging black, middle-class community. After his death, she ran the newspaper for a few years, before selling it. She died as a result of a dislocated hip on February 13, 1940.
Laney	Minnie	Female	African American	Free	Cook		December 31, 1920	28	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Alexander	Minnie	Female	African American	Free	Insurance Agent	December 31, 1892	December 31, 1947	55	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Minnie L. Alexander was born in Florida sometime between 1892 and 1895. She completed three years of high school. She married George Alexander, a local postman, and they had at least one daughter, Selma Alexander. According to the 1930 Census, the couple owned their own home at 239 Finely Street valued at $2,000. She was active in the Athens community as a member of the “Colored Missionary Workers.” Over the course of her lifetime, she worked as “Life Insurance Agent” and “Proprietor.” Alexander, in her mid-fifties, died from unknown causes on December 6, 1948.
Clark	Minnie	Female	African American	Free		December 31, 1889	December 31, 1932	43	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	According to her tombstone, Minnie Lee Clark was born around 1890 and died in November 1933. She was only 43years old at the time of her death.
Jerby	Minor	Male	African American	Free	Farmer		December 31, 1918	49	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Boyd	Mirtie	Female	African American	Enslaved	Seamstress	December 31, 1843	December 31, 1894	51	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Mirtie or Minta Boyd (spelling varies) was born on June 9, 1844 and most likely enslaved as a young woman. According to the 1881 City Directory, she worked as a seamstress and lived at 1019 W Hancock Avenue. At 51 years old, she died on September 18, 1895.
Simmons	Mitchell	Male	African American	Free	Church Employee	December 31, 1905	December 31, 1964	59	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Anna B. Simmons, Mitchell Simmons was born on November 2, 1906. In 1910, he lived with his mother and grandmother in Madison, Georgia. In 1920, he worked as a theatre porter in Atlanta and lived with his mother in the city. By 1930, he had moved to South Carolina and was married to Thelma Simmons. The couple had at least one child: Mitchell J. Simmons. According to his Second World War draft registration, he worked for Reverend Frank Gantt and lived at 814 Hampton Street in Columbia, South Carolina. He died from unknown causes on February 12, 1965.
Whitield	Mittie	Female	African American	Free			December 31, 1961		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	According to her obituary, Mittie Whitfield, who resided at 495 Reese Street, died from unknown causes in December 1962. The funeral was handled by Hurley Funeral Home. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked.
Mack	Mollie	Female	African American	Free	Domestic		December 31, 1925	40	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Cox	Mollie	Female	African American	Free	Laundress	December 31, 1872	December 31, 1934	62	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Mollie Cox was born around 1873. She married Richard Cox, a cotton mill laborer, and the couple had at least one child: Archie Cox. In 1900, she worked as a cook. According to the 1931 City Directory, she lived at 236 Bridge Street. At the time of her death on December 3, 1935, she worked as a laundress and lived at 237 Bridge Street in Athens.
Morton	Monroe	Male	African American	Enslaved	Businessman	December 31, 1855	December 31, 1918	63	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of a white man and Elizabeth Morton, Monroe “Pink” Bowers Morton was born enslaved around 1856. He most likely lived on plantation of John Phinizy. In 1870, he lived with his mother, “Lizzie,” and his siblings in Athens. He worked a number of jobs. According to the census, he worked at a retail grocery in 1880, post master in 1900, and a contractor in 1910. He was also a republican party leader, the owner and publisher of The Progressive Era (a black newspaper), a business leader, and a real estate owner, who built the Morton Theatre and facilitated the development of Athens’s “Hot Corner.” According to the Atlanta Independent (Jan. 30, 1904), “Mr. Morton is a self-made man, and has won his way to the front in business, politics, society by sheer force of character, distinct individuality, rare precocity and strict application to business.” In his personal life, he first married Amanda Morton, who died in 1885 He, then, married Tallulah Morton, his second wife, and the couple had several children, including Monroe, Maude, Ida, and Charlie. He died from cirrhosis of the liver and chronic myocarditis on February 12, 1919. He was, according to his Death Certificate, a “Retired Capitalist” who lived at 823 Prince Avenue. His obituary in The Athens Banner described him as “one of the wealthiest negros in the South.” The paper continued: “‘Pink’ Morton was well known not only in Athens, but throughout the state. He was one of the leaders of the republican party in Georgia, and at one time under the administration of President McKinley was postmaster of Athens. His career has been a most unusual one. Starting life as a slave in 1853 on the plantation of Phinizy’s near Athens, he became a leader of his race, and a most successful business man.”
Watson	Myrtie	Female	African American	Free	Child		December 31, 1920	0	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Tuggle	N.	Unknown	African American	Free		December 31, 1897	December 31, 1966	68	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	N. Tuggle was born on February 25, 1898 and died from unknown causes on February 5, 1967.
Marshall	Nannie	Female	African American	Enslaved	Housework		December 31, 1919	80	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Walker	Nathaniel	Male	African American	Free			December 31, 1954		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	A lifelong Athens resident, Reverend Nathaniel Thomas Walker was born on February 22, 1887. He was drafted for the First World War in 1917, and according to the Athens Daily Herald, he was part of a group of men sent to France. Walker had requested a military exemption, but it was rejected: as the newspaper noted, “two young men who are in the ministry failed to exempt [from military service] – on account of the fact that they did not file proof to their claim in the prescribed manner.” After his return from the war, he married Susie B. Walker, with whom he took care of a stepdaughter, Christine B. Barnette. He worked as a preacher, and between 1931 and 1944 he was the reverend of Union Missionary Baptist Church. He lived at 160 Water Street in 1917, and resided on Finley Street in 1920. In August 1955, he passed away from unknown causes and was buried in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery. [Researched and written by Abby Lauterbach]
Upson	Neal	Male	African American	Enslaved		December 31, 1860	December 31, 1941	74	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Jane and Harold Upson, Neal Upson was born around 1861. According to a 1930s WPA interview, he was enslaved on Frank Upson’s plantation in Oglethorpe County. He married Brynie Upson. According to the 1942 City Directory, he lived at 450 Fourth Street. At 74 years old, he died from unknown causes on July 22, 1942.
Au[??]	Ned	Male	African American	Unknown					Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	[biographical information unknown]
Patterson	Nellie	Female	African American	Free			December 31, 1922	0	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
McCree	Nettie	Female	African American	Free	Laundress	December 31, 1864	December 31, 1939	75	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Nettie McCree was born around 1865. She married Ed McCree, a city street laborer, and the couple had at least one child: Maggie. In 1910, she worked as a laundress and rented a home at Green Street. According to the 1938 City Directory, the coupled lived at 543 Reese Street. At 75 years old, she died from unknown causes on May 7, 1940.
White	Nettie	Female	African American	Free	Housewife		December 31, 1926	54	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Austin	Nicey	Female	African American	Enslaved	Domestic	December 31, 1842	December 31, 1934	92	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Nicey Austin was born on May 12, 1843 (or sometime between 1843 and 1848) and most likely spent her youth enslaved. Described as a “Mulatto” in the 1880 Census, she could not read or write and worked as house servant in Athens, Georgia. In 1920 she was still working as a housekeeper and lived with her adult daughter, Mary Jefferson, at 130 Harris Street. Austin died from unknown causes on March 19, 1935.
Witcher	Nolia	Female	African American	Free	Cook		December 31, 1920	29	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Harris	Nora	Female	African American	Free			December 31, 1966		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	According to her obituary, Nora Harris, who resided at 462 Madison Avenue, died in October 1967. The funeral was handled by Hurley Funeral Home. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked.
Adams	Obadiah	Male	African American	Enslaved	Reverend	December 31, 1825	December 31, 1891	66	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Reverend Obadiah Adams was born on February 13, 1826 and most likely enslaved as a child and young adult. He died of unknown causes in Jacksonville, Florida on November 19, 1892. He was 66 years old at the time of his death.
Lawrence	Odessia	Female	African American	Free		December 31, 1902	December 31, 1903		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	According to her tombstone, Odessia Lawrence was a 15 month old infant who died from unknown causes on October 6, 1904.
Wilder	Odessia	Female	African American	Unknown					Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The daughter of Rachel Wilder and James Wilder, Odessia Wilder was born at an unknown issue. In 1870, the family lived in Madison, Georgia; this is most likely his last known address. In 1870, the family lived in Madison, Georgia; this is most likely her last known address.
Mathews	Oliva	Female	African American	Enslaved	Laundress		December 31, 1919	61	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Stephens	Oliver	Male	African American	Enslaved		December 31, 1848	December 31, 1879	31	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Oliver Stephens was born on August 21, 1849 and most likely enslaved. At 31 years old, he died on September 6, 1880.
H[??]	Olivia	Female	African American	Unknown					Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	[biographical information unknown]
Scruggs	Ollie	Female	African American	Free		December 31, 1928	December 31, 1934	6	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The daughter of Young and Olli Scruggs, Ollie Mae Scruggs was born on June 15, 1929 in North Carolina. At 6 years old, she died at the Athens General Hospital from endocarditis on October 6, 1935. In 1935, her father lived on Danielsville Road; this is most likely her last known address.
Derricotte	Ophelia	Female	African American	Free	Teacher	December 31, 1881	December 31, 1931	50	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The daughter of Charlotte L. Derricotte and Edward J. Derricotte, Ophelia Marie Derricotte Lyons was born on September 9, 1882. In 1900, she attended lived with her parents on Chase Street. According to Arthur Bunyan Caldwell’s Georgia, she married Charles Henry Spurgeon Lyons on September 8, 1909, and “she was educated at Athens and at Boston, and assists her husband in his work. Of the children born to them, two are living. They are Lottie Margaret and Charles Henry Spurgeon Lyons, Jr.” In 1920, she worked as a teacher in Athens. She died from cardiovascular renal disease on November 6, 1932. According to her Death Certificate, she worked as a teacher and lived at 427 Baxter Street.
Buedon	Ora	Male	African American	Free	Gardener	December 31, 1920	December 31, 1920	0	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Thomas	Orrie	Female	African American	Free	Cook	December 31, 1867	December 31, 1923	56	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Lawrence	Orrin	Male	African American	Enslaved			December 31, 1920	82	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
[Pearl?]	Ossie	Female	African American	Free		December 31, 1888	December 31, 1956	68	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	According to her tombstone, Ossie was born around 1889 and died on March 18, 1957. She was 68 years old at the time of her death. She may have had the last name “Pearl.”
Shanks	Otis	Male	African American	Free	Laborer	December 31, 1891	December 31, 1956	65	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Otis Shanks was born around 1892 in Thompson, Georgia. In 1916, he “was arraigned on a charge of disorderly conduct and his cash bond was forfeited.” According to his First World War Draft Card, he worked as a truck hand for Southern Railroad and lived at 499 River Street. During the war, he served stateside in the 157 Depot Brigade at Camp Gordon. After the war, he married Christine C. Shanks. He worked as a laborer at the gas plant in 1930 and a “helper” in 1940. According to the 1952 City Directory, he worked as plant operator at Atlanta Gas Light and lived at 139 N Newton Street. At 65 years old, he died from unknown causes on June 19, 1957. After his death, his wife applied for a military headstone.

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