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
Payne	Jesse	Male	African American	Free	Child		December 31, 1926	1	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Owens	Jesse	Male	African American	Free	Laborer		December 31, 1929		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Jesse Owens served as a private in the 403 Labor Battalion during the First World War. In 1926, he worked as a laborer and lived on Water Street. He most likely married Flora Owens, who lived at 240 Newton Street. According to the 1928 City Directory, the couple lived at 2402 Newton Street and he worked as a laborer. He died from unknown causes on August 23, 1930.
Jefferson	Robert	Male	African American	Free	Tailor	December 31, 1865	December 31, 1900	34	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Ella and Edgar Jefferson, Robert Jefferson was born on May 1, 1866. In 1880, he lived with his parents and attended school. He married Mary L. Jefferson in 1890. In 1900, he worked as a tailor and live with his wife and four children—Robert, Geneva, Ellen, and Julian—at 8 Harris Street. He died from unknown causes on May 10, 1901.
Fields	Jno.	Male	African American	Free	Cotton Worker		December 31, 1918	35	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Jones	John	Male	African American	Enslaved	Cook	December 31, 1831	December 31, 1916	85	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	John W. Jones was born on March 19, 1832 and most likely spent his early life enslaved. He married Georgia Thomas Jones, a cook, around 1881 and the couple had three living children. In 1900, he worked as a cook and owned a house at 360 Broad Street. In 1910, he rented a house at 563 Broad Street and did not work. According to the 1916 City Directory, he lived at 522 W Broad Street. He died from unknown causes on July 27, 1917.
Brittin	George	Male	African American	Free	Carpenter		December 31, 1925	50	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Matthews	Anderson	Male	African American	Free	Driver	December 31, 1887	December 31, 1917	29	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Jennie Mathews, Anderson Matthews was born on July 15, 1888. He married Julia Cheney in November 1914. During First World War, he lived on W Hancock Avenue and worked as a chauffeur. According to the 1914 City Directory, he lived at 1423 W Broad Street. At 29 years old, he died from unknown on May 17, 1918.
Bass	Edward	Male	African American	Enslaved	Barber	December 31, 1859	December 31, 1902	42	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Martha and William Bass, Edward W. Bass was born on August 23, 1860 and most likely spent his early years enslaved. As a youth in 1880, he worked as porter and eventually became a barber. He married Martha Caldwell on June 9, 1889. According to the 1889 City Directory, he worked as a barber and lived at 1024 Reese Street. At 42 years-old, Bass died from unknown causes on June 20, 1903. According to the 1904 City Directory, his widow, Martha Bass, lived at 1127 Reese Street--this is most likely his last known address as well.
Payne	Jessie	Male	African American	Free	Laborer		December 31, 1924	22	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Johnson	Tom	Male	African American	Free	Laborer	December 31, 1894	December 31, 1953	59	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Eveline Howard, Tom Johnson was born around 1895 or 1896. He most likely served in the 341 Service Battalion during the First World War. In 1920, he worked as a laborer at a cotton press and he and his mother rented a place at the rear of 789 Thomas Street. He died from unknown causes on April 7, 1954. At the time of his death, he lived at Apt. 188 803 Play Lane.
Walker	Jessie	Male	African American	Free			December 31, 1954		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Jessie Walker was born in 1890 in Athens, GA. According to the Athens Daily Herald, he was still living in Athens in 1917 and listed among the Clarke County men registered for the First World War draft. He moved to Michigan sometime after this and married Evie Walker with whom he had a daughter named Ora Lee Walker, later Ora Lee Gardner. According to the 1930 US Census, Walker lived with his family and two men who rented rooms in their home at 518 Beaver St. in Lansing, MI. His obituary of September 10, 1955, placed his residence at 131S Case Street in Lansing, and stated that he would be returned to Athens, GA to be buried in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery. [Researched and written by Avery Scott]
Brydie	Edward	Male	African American	Free	Insurance Agent	December 31, 1885	December 31, 1914	28	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Camilla and Eugene W. Brydie, Edward W. Brydie was born on December 26, 1886. In 1900, he attended school. By 1910, he was working as an insurance agent in Athens and still living with his parents at 101 Finley Street. He died from unknown causes on August 12, 1915.
Davis	James	Male	African American	Free			December 31, 1948		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	According to his obituary, James W. Davis, who resided at 178 Strong Street, died from unknown causes on June 28, 1949. He married Mrs. Minnie Reid and had at least five children. The funeral was handled by Mack & Payne Funeral Home. He was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; his grave is unmarked.
Hudson	Charlie	Male	African American	Enslaved	Merchant	December 31, 1857	December 31, 1941	84	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Charlie Hudson was born around 1858 and most likely enslaved as a child. He married Maggie Hutson, a laundress, around 1904 and the couple lived at 387 Odd Street in 1910. He worked as a retail grocery merchant in 1910 and 1920. He died from unknown causes on October 29, 1942.
Browner	Richard	Male	African American	Enslaved	City Employee		December 31, 1921	63	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Collins		Male	African American	Unknown	Reverend		December 31, 1893		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	According to his tombstone, Reverend Collins died in 1894.
Walker	Macauloy	Male	African American	Free	Child		December 31, 1920	0	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Matthews	John	Male	African American	Free	Merchant	December 31, 1883	December 31, 1940	57	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	John T. Matthews was born between 1874 and 1884. He married Margaret “Maggie” Matthews, and the couple rented a home at 1095 W Hancock Avenue in 1920 and 1930. He worked as farmer in 1920 and was a dry goods store merchant in 1930. He died from unknown causes on March 27, 1941.
Johnson	William	Male	African American	Unknown	Reverend	December 31, 1841	December 31, 1908	67	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	William D. Johnson was born in Maryland on March 19, 1842. In 1879, he married Alice V. Johnson of Georgia. The couple had at least five children. As a clergyman, Johnson could read, write, and owned his own house at 529 Lumpkin Street. He died from unknown causes on April 10, 1909.
Whitfield	W.	Male	African American	Free	Blacksmith	December 31, 1864	December 31, 1938	74	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	W. M. Whitfield was born on April 18, 1865. According to the 1938 City Directory, he worked as a blacksmith and lived with his wife, Mittie, at 495 Reese Street. At 74 years old, he died from unknown causes on June 13, 1939.
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]
Smith	Peter	Male	African American	Enslaved	Laborer		December 31, 1919	80	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
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.
Kenney	Charlie	Male	African American	Unknown			December 31, 1964		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	According to his tombstone, Charlie Kenney died on August 16, 1965.
Hirams	Rubin	Male	African American	Free	Laborer		December 31, 1922	55	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Huff	Will	Male	African American	Free	Laborer	December 31, 1894	December 31, 1934	40	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Alois Howard and Gib Huff, Will Huff was born on March 12, 1893 in Crawford, Georgia. He died from [??] of heart and nephritis on February 11, 1935. According to his Death Certificate, he worked as laborer and lived at 264 Bridge Street.
Buedon	Ora	Male	African American	Free	Gardener	December 31, 1920	December 31, 1920	0	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Collins	Isaac	Male	African American	Free	Janitor	December 31, 1879	December 31, 1926	47	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Isaac Collins was born on February 10, 1880. Around 1905, He married Lizzie Collins and the couple had at least two children: Mary and Jeffrey. In 1910, he worked as a “Bill Poster” in the “Bulletin Boards” industry. According to the 1920 Census, he worked as a janitor and lived at 195 Billups Street. He died from unknown causes on February 10, 1927.
Walker	Taylor	Male	African American	Enslaved	Farmer		December 31, 1920	60	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Bates	William	Male	African American	Free	Farmer	December 31, 1864	December 31, 1941	77	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Kissey Bates, William Bates was born around 1865. His first wife, Marie Bates, died sometime before 1920. In the 1920s and 1930s, he worked as a farmer near the Princeton Factory in Clarke County, Georgia. By 1940, he had remarried 44 year-old Alice Bates and they lived at 1537 W Broad Street. At that time, he did not work and she worked as a laundress. He died on March 6, 1942; he was around 77 years of age.
Fortson	Jim	Male	African American	Free			December 31, 1919	0	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Evans	Will	Male	African American	Free	Rail Road Worker	December 31, 1885	December 31, 1925	39	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of William Evans, Will Evans was born around June 25, 1886. He married Julia Evans and, according to his First World War draft card, he supported four children. After the war, he worked on the railroad. On June 8, 1926, he died from [??] and acute endocarditis. The couple had been living at 488 Strong Street.
Whitlock	John	Male	African American	Free	Laborer	December 31, 1856	December 31, 1916	60	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	John Whitelock (or Whittlock) was born around 1857. According to the 1894 City Directory, worked as a laborer and lived at 805 Athens Avenue. He may have been married to Martha Whitelock. At 60 years old, he died from unknown causes on March 3, 1917.
Morton	Charles	Male	African American	Free	Entertainment Industry	December 31, 1902	December 31, 1969	67	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Monroe “Pink” Bowers Morton and Tallulah Morton, Charles Morton was born on February 27, 1903. In 1910 and 1920, he attended school and lived with his parents and siblings on Prince Avenue. In 1930, he worked as a “Machine operator” at the “picture show,” most likely at the Morton Theatre. According to his Second World War draft card, he worked for his family and lived at 823 Prince Avenue. According to the 1958 City Directory, he worked at Twentieth Century Billiards and lived, with Goldiee W., at 659 W Hancock Avenue. At 67 years old, he died from unknown causes on June 20, 1970.
Diggs	William	Male	African American	Free			December 31, 1972		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	According to his obituary, William Diggs, who resided at 357 DuBose Avenue, died from unknown causes on January 27, 1973. The funeral was handled by Mutual Funeral Home. He was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; his grave may be unmarked.
Walker	William	Male	African American	Free	Drayman		December 31, 1919	36	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
McCleskey	Edward	Male	African American	Free	Carpenter	December 31, 1864	December 31, 1931	67	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Julia and William McCleskey, Edward McCleskey was born in March 1865. In 1930, he was widowed and owned a home at 220 Harris Street. He worked as a carpenter for much of his life. At age 67, he died from cardiovascular renal disease on September 19, 1932.
Pinkard	Amos	Male	African American	Free	Grocer	December 31, 1888	December 31, 1961	73	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Amos Pinkard was born in 1889. In February 1908, he was charged “for violation of the prohibition law.” He married Nettie Pinkard and, 1940, the couple lived at 264 N Billups Street. According to the 1940 City Directory, he worked as a grocer. He still lived at 264 N Billups Street in 1958. He died from unknown causes on December 16, 1962.
Johnson	Eddie	Male	African American	Free	Laborer	December 31, 1919	December 31, 1946	27	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Mattie Franklin and Eddie Ted Johnson, Eddie Johnson was born on May 9, 1920. He never married. In 1941, he lived in Chicago and worked on the Pennsylvania Railroad. Still living in the city, he was working as a “Bumper Factory Worker” when he died from unknown causes on November 13, 1947. The body was returned to Athens for burial in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery.
Foster	Jos.	Male	African American	Free	Laborer		December 31, 1918	19	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Morton	Claud	Male	African American	Free		December 31, 1892	December 31, 1892		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	According to his tombstone, Claud Morton was born in February 1893 and died in June; he was just over 3 months old. He most likely lived at 823 Prince Avenue with the other members of the Morton family.
Springs	Charlie	Male	African American	Free	Drayman		December 31, 1918	31	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Shaw	Charles	Male	African American	Unknown					Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	[biographical information unknown]
Holmes	Geo.	Male	African American	Free			December 31, 1923	0	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Hardeman	Eugene	Male	African American	Free	Laborer	December 31, 1901	December 31, 1950	48	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Mary Hardeman, Eugene Hardeman was born on September 2, 1902. According to his First World War Draft Card, he worked as a landscaper and lived at 623 Hull Street. He was still living at the same address in 1928. At 48 years old, he died from unknown causes on July 21, 1951.
Hunter	Richard	Male	African American	Free	Laborer	December 31, 1868	December 31, 1928	60	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Carolina and Richard Hunter, Richard Hunter was born sometime between 1857 and 1869 in Charlotte, North Carolina. He worked as a laborer on the city streets in 1910 and as a “general worker” in 1920. He married Rachel Hunter and the couple had at least three children: Anna Bell, Nellie Bell, and Christine. He died from pneumonia on March 16, 1929. According to his Death Certificate, he worked as a mechanic and lived at 487 Madison Avenue.
Lumpkin	Dan	Male	African American	Free	Laborer		December 31, 1926	45	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Bell	Judge	Male	African American	Free	Drayman	December 31, 1866	December 31, 1936	70	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Harriett Jones, Judge Bell was born between 1867 and 1869 in Monroe, Georgia. He worked as a drayman for most of his life. Around 1885, he married Hattie E. Hutchinson Bell, a dressmaker, and the couple had at least six children—Luther, Waterloo, Hazel, Norma, Jerome, and Lillian. According to the 1904 City Directory, he still worked as a drayman and now lived at 15 Rock Spring Street. In 1920, the couple owned their own home at 165 N Rockspring Street and he was still living at that address when he died from Chronic Nephritis on July 22, 1937. The Jackson Funeral Home managed the interment.
Pope	[??]	Male	African American	Free	Child		December 31, 1918	0	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Pledger	William	Male	African American	Enslaved	Lawyer	December 31, 1849	December 31, 1903	54	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	William A. Pledger was born in 1850 and enslaved as a child. Along with William Henry (Harrison) Heard, he was the co-owner and editor of the Athens Blade, a leading African-American newspaper that was distributed throughout Georgia and in several northeastern cities. As one of the first African-American lawyers in Atlanta, he was active in republican politics and a delegate to each republican convention from 1876 to 1900. According to the 1898 City Directory, he worked as a lawyer and lived at 209 Pearl Street. He died from unknown causes on January 8, 1904.
Foster	Lorenza	Male	African American	Free	Child	December 31, 1926	December 31, 1926	0	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Favors	Tom	Male	African American	Enslaved	Laborer	December 31, 1859	December 31, 1930	71	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Fannie Howard and Ben Favors, Tom Favors was born around 1860 and most likely spent his childhood enslaved. He married Cynthia Favors and the couple had a least four children: Lela, Ada, Lillie, and Homer. As a laborer, he spent most of his adult life as a street sweeper or road hand in Athens. In 1913, he was arrested for selling liquor. According to The Athens Banner: “Tom Favors, colored, took it into his head a few days since that he would dish out a little of the ardent, and out at his home on Broad street, he had a crowd of men around that were buying the stuff right along, when the police officials broke into his little game.” Rather than face jail time, he paid a $100 fine. According to the 1926 City Directory, he and his wife lived at 148 Pearl Street. He died from [??] and [??] on December 18, 1931. At the time of his death, he was around 71 years old and had been living at 481 Billups Street.
Wilder	Charlie	Male	African American	Unknown					Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Rachel Wilder and James Wilder, Charlie Wilder was born around 1860. In 1870, the family lived in Madison, Georgia; this is most likely his last known address. He died from unknown causes on an unknown date.
Brydie	Eugene	Male	African American	Free		December 31, 1882	December 31, 1908	25	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of E.W. and Camilla Brydie, Eugene A. Brydie was born on May 5, 1883. He most likely lived with his parents at 101 N Findley Street He died from unknown causes on Jaunry 14, 1909.
Stephens	Clide	Male	African American	Free	Barber		December 31, 1920	38	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Mcgee	Andrew	Male	African American	Free	Cook		December 31, 1923	43	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Hunter	Ed	Male	African American	Free	Laborer	December 31, 1918	December 31, 1957	39	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Annie Hunter, Ed Willie Hunter was born around 1919. In 1930, he attended school and lived with his mother on Finley Street. In 1940, he worked as a butler. He married Juanita Gross on January 25, 1943. According to the 1956 City Directory, he worked as yardman and lived at 540 S Finley Street. He died from unknown causes on June 5, 1958. According to his obituary published in The Atlanta Constitution, he lived at 548 Finley Street.
Cotton	Thomas	Male	African American	Free	Farm Laborer	December 31, 1867	December 31, 1904	36	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Mary and Jack Cotton, Thomas L. Cotton was born on December 25, 1868. In 1880, he worked as a farm laborer and lived with his parents in Athens, Georgia. He died from unknown causes on February 2, 1905.
Washington	Leo	Male	African American	Free	Student		December 31, 1920	13	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.
Johnson	Reese	Male	African American	Free			December 31, 1957		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	According to her obituary, Reese Johnson, who resided at 130 Water Street, died from unknown causes in June 1958. The funeral was handled by Mutual Funeral Home. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked.
Johnson	Emanuel	Male	African American	Free	Janitor	December 31, 1896	December 31, 1939	43	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Lulu and George Johnson, Emanuel Johnson was born in May 1897. In 1900, the family lived at 8 Oconee Street. He married Lonie Johnson and, in 1929, they lived at 260 Vine Street. At that time, he worked as a janitor. According to the 1931 City Directory, he worekd as a janitor at the First Baptist Church and lived at 260 Vine Street. He remained at that address, according to the 1940 City Directory. He died from unknown causes on October 2, 1940. He was only 43.
Mullins	William	Male	African American	Free	Driver	December 31, 1882	December 31, 1954	71	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	William J. Mullins was born around 1883. In 1910, he lived on Reese Street and worked as an ice wagon driver. According to the 1928 City Directory, he worked as a laborer and lived with his wife, Nancy, at 223 N Church Street. In 1930, he drove truck for the ice company and still worked as a driver in 1940. In 1952, he lived with his wife at 223 N Church Street and worked as a truck driver at Atlantic Company. At 71 years old, he died from unknown causes on August 26, 1955.
Hawkins	Daviet	Male	African American	Unknown					Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	[biographical information unknown]
[Brydie?]	Eugene	Male	African American	Unknown					Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	[biographical information unknown]
Stokely	George	Male	African American	Enslaved	Laborer		December 31, 1920	58	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Shaw	Willie	Male	African American	Free	Driver	December 31, 1879	December 31, 1926	39	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Elizabeth Shaw, Willie A. Shaw was born in October 1888. In 1900, he attended school and lived with his mother and grandmother in Athens. In 1915 and 1916, he was arrested and charged with violating prohibition. During the First World War, he served as a cook in the 157th Deport Brigade. After the war, he married Eliza Shaw. He died from [??] on April 5, 1927. At the time of his death, he worked as a chauffeur and, after his death, his wife lived at 330 N. Pope Street.
Lee	Henry	Male	African American	Free	Farm Laborer	December 31, 1878	December 31, 1934	56	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Ella and John Menifee, Henry L. Lee was born on March 14, 1879. He married Maggie Lee around 1900 and the couple rented a home in Oconee County in 1910. He worked as farm laborer. In 1930, he lived at 45 Rocky Branch Road in Oconee County. He died from unknown causes on December 15, 1935.
Howard	Aurodite	Male	African American	Free			December 31, 1919	0	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Hardeman	Harry	Male	African American	Free	Laborer	December 31, 1896	December 31, 1970		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Harry Hardeman born on May 23, 1897. The son of Juliette Cornelius Hardeman, a single mother and Athens washerwoman, Hardeman and his two sisters lived at 425 Pope Street. By all accounts, he appeared to be a mischievous child; he, at least once, was caught “casting pebbles” at another boy. Whereas a white child most likely escaped the attention of law enforcement, a black child in Jim Crow Georgia did not. Twelve-year-old Hardeman—for his harmless, childish antics—found himself before the local police court. As punishment for the ‘crime,’ reported The Weekly Banner, the Athens mayor “assessed the scrapper the sum of one dollar,” but remitted the fine after “one of the older darkeys in the court volunteered to administer the necessary chastisement, in the place of the absent parent.” During the First World War, he served stateside as a sergeant in the 157th Depot Brigade. Retuning to Athens after the war, he worked as a laborer and lived at 171 Church Street in 1920. According to the 1958 City Directory, he worked as a butler and lived at 405 Benning Street. He died on April 10, 1971 from an unknown aliment.
Cheney	Alex	Male	African American	Free			December 31, 1922	34	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Thomas	Hamilton	Male	African American	Free		December 31, 1909	December 31, 1939	30	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Hamilton Thomas was born around 1910. At 30 years old, he died from unknown causes on December 26, 1940.
McCree	Guy	Male	African American	Free	Laborer	December 31, 1883	December 31, 1950	66	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Guy W. McCree was born on October 10, 1884. He was arrested for gambling in 1914. According to the 1940 Census, he had been married but lived with a boarder at 143 Fourth Street. He worked as a laborer in 1940. According to the 1949 City Directory, he lived at 923 Water Street. He died from unknown causes on October 3, 1951.
Johnson	Seaborn	Male	African American	Unknown			December 31, 1946		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	According to his obituary, Seaborn Johnson, who resided in Monroe, Georgia, died from unknown causes in August 1947. He was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; his grave may be unmarked.
Billups	William	Male	African American	Free			December 31, 1971		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	According to his tombstone, William C. Billups died in 1972. His date of birth is unknown.
Powell	Major	Male	African American	Free	Farmer	December 31, 1894	December 31, 1922	28	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Johnson	Will	Male	African American	Free	Laborer	December 31, 1907	December 31, 1935	28	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Alice Johnson and N. Derricotte, Will Henry Johnson was born on September 10, 1936. He died from “labor pneumonia” and “pleural effusion” on May 21, 1936. He was living in Atlanta, Georgia at the time of his death.
Mullins	Henry	Male	African American	Free	Cook	December 31, 1869	December 31, 1930	61	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Henry A. Mullins was born around 1870. He married Georgia Mullins and the couple had at least four children: Owen, Samson, Lumpkins, and Mary. In 1910, he worked as a city cook and owned a house at 236 S Collins Street. He died from unknown causes in 1931.
Bullock	Fletcher	Male	African American	Free	Janitor	December 31, 1914	December 31, 1957	42	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Fletcher Bullock was born around 1915. He married Janie Beatrice Bullock and the couple had at least two children: Fletcher Jr. and Willie. In 1940, he worked as a janitor and lived at 468 First Street. According to the 1956 City Directory, he worked as a construction worker and he and his wife lived at 426 First Street. He died from unknown causes on August 9, 1958.
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.
Lee	Albert	Male	African American	Free	Butler	December 31, 1912	December 31, 1940	28	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Susie B. and Albert Lee, Albert Thomas Lee was born around 1914. In 1930, he worked as a butler and lived at 424 Reese Street. In 1922, he was arrested for stealing goods and jailed. At 28 years old, he died from unknown causes on September 8, 1941.
Huff	J.	Male	African American	Free			December 31, 1923	1	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Harden	Edgar	Male	African American	Free		December 31, 1891	December 31, 1953	61	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Mary Harden, Edgard Harden was born on November 2, 1892. As a 16 year old in 1910, he worked as a “poster” and did not attend school. During the First World War, he served as a corporal in Company D, 346 Service Battalion. He married Cora Harden and, according to the 1952 City Directory, he and his wife lived at 658 Hull Street. He died from unknown causes on June 26, 1954.
Mcqueen	Sam	Male	African American	Enslaved	Barber		December 31, 1920	72	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Hurley	Langston	Male	African American	Free		December 31, 1884	December 31, 1904	20	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Langston Hurley was born on March 9, 1885 and, at 20 years old, he died from unknown causes on November 5, 1905. According to his will, he bequeathed his possessions to Lizzie Hamilton, his mother.
Clarke	Joseph	Male	African American	Free	Laborer		December 31, 1923	13	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Crowder	George	Male	African American	Free	Laborer	December 31, 1896	December 31, 1932	35	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Chatie T. and George Crowder, George Crowder was born between 1897 and 1898 in Warren, Georgia. He married Lizzie Mae Powers on February 28, 1915 and they had at least one child. He worked various jobs, including a public laborer (1920 Census), laborer (1926 City Directory), and a porter (1931 City Directory). In 1931, he lived at "50 Brays Al[ley]. He died from a “sudden natural cause” on August 21, 1933. According to his Death Index, he lived at 50 Madison Avenue and worked as a common laborer.
Thomas	Tommie	Male	African American	Enslaved	Labroer	December 31, 1863	December 31, 1939	76	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son or Margaret and Hampton Thomas, Tommie Thomas was born on May 15, 1864 and most likely enslaved. In 1870, he lived in Athens with his parents. He still lived with them in 1880, but also worked as butcher in that year. In 1930, he worked as a foreman for the transfer company. He died from chronic nephritis on March 11, 1940. According to his Death Certificate, he worked as a laborer and lived at 168 Warsaw Street.
Jones	Charlie	Male	African American	Free			December 31, 1959		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	According to his obituary, Charlie Grant Jones, who resided at 462 Reese Street, died from unknown causes in January 1960. The funeral was handled by Hurley’s Funeral Home. He was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; his grave may be unmarked.
Pope	Simon	Male	African American	Free	Janitor	December 31, 1869	December 31, 1939	70	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Washington Pope, Simon G Pope was born on July 4, 1870. He married Ida Pope and the couple had at least four children: Edwin, Leroy, Edmund, Celastine, and Simmie. He worked as a day laborer in 1900, gas worker in 1910, oil mill laborer in 1920, and janitor in 1940. He owned a house at 524 Vine Street in 1940. He died at home from a spontaneous hemorrhage and chronic myocarditis on October 31, 1940. At the time of his death, he worked as a janitor for the University of Georgia.
Johnson	William	Male	African American	Free	Laborer	December 31, 1877	December 31, 1957	80	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	William Johnson was born on January 3, 1878. In 1910, he was divorced, worked as a street laborer, and lived in his mother’s (Laura Johnson) household in Warsaw Alley. He died from unknown causes on January 11, 1956.
Bunkley	Robert	Male	African American	Free	Pressing Club Proprietor	December 31, 1894	December 31, 1938	45	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Luna Strickland and Frank Bunkley, Robert L. Bunkley was born on December 12, 1895. As a youth, he was a hack driver (1910) and worked as a pressing club proprietor for much of his adult life. He married Mildred Bunkley sometime after 1920. According to the 1937 City Directory, he owned a billards saloon at the corner of Hull and Washington Streets and lived at 449 Reese Street. On August 7, 1939, he died at St. Mary’s Hospital from a post-operative cerebral embolism, after his right leg had been amputated. He was only 45 years old and had been living at 449 Reese Street at the time of his death.
Huff	John	Male	African American	Free	Laborer	December 31, 1884	December 31, 1926	42	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Flanigan	Albert	Male	African American	Free		December 31, 1880	December 31, 1967		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	According to his obituary, Albert Capp Flanigan, who resided at 87 Broad Acres, died from unknown causes in June 1968. The funeral was handled by Hurley Funeral Home. He was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; his grave may be unmarked
Hurt	James	Male	African American	Free	Laborer	December 31, 1914	December 31, 1956	42	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Nancy Demeritt Hurt, James T. Hurt was born in 1915. At the start of the Second World War, he worked as a farm hand in Athens, Georgia and lived at 1734 E Broad Street. He served as a private Branch Immaterial Warrant Officers at Fort Benning, Georgia. In the middle of the war, he married Emma Lou Campbell on August 15, 1942. According to the 1949 City Directory, he worked at Western Markets and lived at 948 Reese Street. He remained at that address, but worked as a “hlpr Bradley Provision Co.” in 1956. At 42 years old, he died from unknown causes on September 30, 1957.
Cleveland	J.	Male	African American	Free	Student		December 31, 1925	18	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Wilburn	Boyd	Male	African American	Free	Laborer		December 31, 1921	21	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
McCree	Edward	Male	African American	Enslaved	Laborer	December 31, 1859	December 31, 1954	95	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Louisa and Squire H. McCree, Edward McCree was born around 1860 and most likely enslaved as a child. In 1870, he lived with his parents and siblings on a farm in Watkinsville, Georgia. By 1880, the family had moved to Throne Street. Instead of attending school, 13 year-old McCree worked as a laborer. He married Nettie McCree, a laundress, and the couple had at least one child: Maggie. In 1910, he worked as a city street laborer and rented a home at Green Street. According to the 1938 City Directory, the coupled lived at 543 Reese Street. He died from unknown causes in 1955.
Jones	Walter	Male	African American	Free			December 31, 1954		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	According to his obituary, Walter Jones died from unknown causes in April 1955. He married Annie Jones, and the couple had at least two children—Melease Jones Winston and Walter Jones Jr. He was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; his grave may be unmarked.
Billups	Willie	Male	African American	Free	Teacher	December 31, 1903	December 31, 1962	59	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Mary Billups, Willie Lewis Billups was born on either March 1, 1904 or May 15, 1903. As a child he lived on Reese Street. At the time of Second World War, he lived at 123 Pope Street and was self-employed. According to the 1958 City Directory, he worked as a teacher Athens High and Industrial School and lived at 1820 W Hancock Avenue. He died from unknown causes on Feburary 27, 1963.

Decedent

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