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 DOBsort descending DOD Age Grave Location Grave Marker Biography
B. W. Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Holsey [??] Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
W[??] Unknown African American Unknown December 31, 1931 50 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Evans Julia Female African American Free December 31, 1961 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked According to her obituary, Julia Evans, who resided at 360 First Street, died in December 1962. The funeral was handled by Hurley Funeral Home. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked.
Johnson Louise Female African American Free December 31, 1961 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked According to her obituary, Louise Johnson died from unknown causes in September 1962. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked.
Peek Sallie Female African American Free December 31, 1942 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Sallie Peek was born around 1885. She died from unknown causes in Fulton, Georgia on November 6, 1943. Her death was reported in the Atlanta Constitution, where it mentioned her funeral was to be held at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Atlanta on November 11, 1943, after which her remains would be taken to Athens for interment in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery. Her obituary stated that she had many friends and family. [Researched and written by Roshni Hariharan]
Washington Hector Female African American Free December 31, 1946 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked According to her obituary, Mrs. Hector Mary Washington, who resided in Atlanta, died from unknown causes in January 1947. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked.
Bayne Annia Female African American Free Housework December 31, 1918 50 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Bunkley Lula Female African American Free December 31, 1925 54 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Derricott Mariah Female African American Enslaved Housework December 31, 1925 95 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Foster Jos. Male African American Free Laborer December 31, 1918 19 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Hawkins Dave Male African American Enslaved Construction December 31, 1919 60 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Holmes Geo. Male African American Free December 31, 1923 0 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Logan Fanie Female African American Free Laborer December 31, 1925 28 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Mcqueen Sam Male African American Enslaved Barber December 31, 1920 72 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Powers Annie Bell Female African American Free Laborer December 31, 1926 33 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Shaw Henry Male African American Free Mason December 31, 1922 36 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Thomas Matt Male African American Enslaved Driver December 31, 1923 60 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
White Nettie Female African American Free Housewife December 31, 1926 54 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
[Goon?] [??] Female African American Free 75 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to her tombstone, [??] Sally [Goon?] died during the 1940s at 75 years old.
J. S. Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
McQueen William Male African American Unknown December 31, 1887 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to his tombstone, William McQueen died in 1888. He most likely was the infant son of Nettie and W. M. McQueen, who, according to the 1897 City Directory, lived at 630 Hull Street. He was the sibling of Carrie McQueen and Mamie N. McQueen.
Johnson Ethal Female African American Free December 31, 1975 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked According to her obituary, Ethel Johnson, who resided at 151 Lyndon Avenue, died from unknown causes in August 1976. She was married to James Johnson and they had at least one child, Blanche Johnson Jones. The funeral was handled by Hurley’s Funeral Home. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked.
Riley Lillie Female African American Free December 31, 1972 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked According to her obituary, Mattie H. Hawkins, who resided at 650 W Hancock Avenue, died from unknown causes in December 1953. She had at least four, married daughters Mrs. Willie C. Erwin, Mrs. Otis E. Johnson, Mrs. William Cooks, and Mrs. Robert T. Owens. The funeral was handled by Mutual Funeral Home. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked.
Watson Victoria Female African American Free December 31, 1973 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked According to her obituary, Victoria Watson, who resided at 175 Glenhaven Avenue, died from unknown causes in October 1974. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked.
Bayne Richard Male African American Enslaved Farmer December 31, 1920 75 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Burnes Mamie Female African American Free Laborer December 31, 1926 37 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Dorsey Crock Male African American Enslaved December 31, 1923 80 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Hawkins Julia Female African American Free Housework December 31, 1924 37 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Holmes Mattie Female African American Free Child December 31, 1920 0 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Johnson Will Male African American Free Laborer December 31, 1924 54 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Lumpkin Dan Male African American Free Laborer December 31, 1926 45 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Menifield Ella Female African American Enslaved Housework December 31, 1921 94 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Norman John Male African American Enslaved Laborer December 31, 1923 68 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Pulliam Lucy May Female African American Free December 31, 1919 2 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Shaw Warren Male African American Free Presser December 31, 1922 33 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Stovall Will Male African American Free Blacksmith December 31, 1921 42 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.
Dillard William Male African American Enslaved Laborer December 31, 1907 70 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked William Dillard was born around 1844 and most likely enslaved. According to the 1870 Census, he worked as Day Laborer. She married Racheal Dillard and they had at least two children: Nannie and Annie. In 1904, he worked as a laborer and lived at 640 Fourth Street. He was one of the founding members of the Gospel Pilgrim Society.
Green Unknown African American Unknown December 31, 1934 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to the tombstone, [??] Green died on [August?] 4, 1935.
Jackson Edward Male African American Enslaved December 31, 1852 6 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to his tombstone, Edward Jackson died on October 3, 1853 and was most likely enslaved. He died at 6 years old. Her body was most likely moved to Gospel Pilgrim sometime after 1882, when the cemetery opened, or a marker was simply erected for a lost loved one.
Porter Susie Female African American Free Laundress Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Susie Bason Porter was born around 1886. She married Walter Porter and the couple appears not to have had living children. In 1930, she worked as a laundress. In 1940, the couple owned a house at 554 Strong Street, according to the 1958 City Directory, they remained at 554 E Strong Street. At 82 years old, she died from unknown causes in 1968.
S[??] Emma Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
[Strickland?] [??] Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
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.
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]
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.
Benford Henry Male African American Free Fireman December 31, 1922 49 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Carter Lillie Female African American Free Housewife December 31, 1919 0 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Dunfoy Male African American Free December 31, 1920 0 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Gant Ellen Female African American Enslaved Farmer December 31, 1919 110 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Hawkins Peter Male African American Free Construction December 31, 1921 36 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Houston Florence Female African American Free Laborer December 31, 1920 21 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Johnson William Male African American Free Laborer December 31, 1919 26 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Lumpkin Rosa Female African American Free Domestic December 31, 1918 52 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Merritt J. P. Male African American Free Laborer December 31, 1924 51 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Odoms Corene Female African American Free December 31, 1921 2 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Ramey Geo. Male African American Free Farmer December 31, 1923 51 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Shaw Will Male African American Free Chauffer December 31, 1926 38 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.
Thomas Palace Female African American Enslaved Housework December 31, 1924 71 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Wiley Serema Female African American Free Seamstress December 31, 1922 49 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Blont [J or G?] Unknown African American Unknown December 31, 1942 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Brown Eliza Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Freeman Edward Male African American Free December 31, 1965 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked According to his obituary, Edward M. Freeman, who resided at 237 North Church Street, died from unknown causes in May 1966. He was married to Julia A. Freeman. The funeral was handled by Hurley Funeral Home. He was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; his grave may be unmarked.
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.
Stanton John Male African American Free December 31, 1947 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked John R. Stanton was an Athens resident who was born around 1899. He was married and had multiple siblings. He died from unknown causes on October 25, 1948 and was buried in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery on October 31, 1948. [Researched and written by Abby Lauterbach]
Wilcox Dora Female African American Free December 31, 1970 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked According to her obituary, Dora Sapp Wilcox, who resided at 550 W Hancock Avenue, died from unknown causes in February 1974. The funeral was handled by Mutual Funeral Home. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked.
Bimett Mary Female African American Enslaved Laborer December 31, 1921 70 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Cheney Alex Male African American Free December 31, 1922 34 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Eberhart Martha Female African American Free Housework December 31, 1918 33 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Garfield Carrie Female African American Enslaved Housewife December 31, 1924 63 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Howard Aurodite Male African American Free December 31, 1919 0 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Jones Callie Female African American Free Domestic December 31, 1925 39 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Ray Elsie Female African American Enslaved Laborer December 31, 1924 79 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Shenault Carrie Female African American Free Housework December 31, 1919 53 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Stricklyn Pearl Female African American Free Teacher December 31, 1919 21 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Tompkins Corine Female African American Free Domestic December 31, 1922 24 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
[??]ll Se[??] Unknown African American Free 34 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Blont [Gary?] Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Harris R Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
McQueen Mamie Female African American Free December 31, 1881 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to her tombstone, Mamie McQueen died in 1885. She most likely was the infant daughter of Nettie and W. M. McQueen, who, according to the 1897 City Directory, lived at 630 Hull Street. Hull Street. She was the sibling of CarrieMcQueen and William McQueen.
Freeman Bessie Female African American Unknown December 31, 1945 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked According to her obituary, Bessie Samuel Freeman died in October 1946. The funeral was handled by Mack & Payne Funeral Home. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked.
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.
Strickland Willie Male African American Free December 31, 1973 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked The son of Edward Strickland and Jennie (Wagner or Wagoner) Strickland, Willie Strickland was born in Athens, GA around 1898. He grew up on First Street, and after marrying Bertha Mae Harvey in 1937, the couple moved down the street to another residence on First Street. Throughout his life, Strickland had many different jobs including working in a saw mill according to the 1920 census, a cotton mill according to the 1930 census, and as a maid according to a 1931 Athens directory. During the Second World War, Strickland registered for the draft, but was not drafted into service, most likely because he was already married and 43 years old at the time. He died from unknown causes on April 6, 1974 in Athens, and was buried in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery. [Researched and written by Casey Serrano]
Woods Lizzie Female African American Free December 31, 1977 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked According to her obituary, Lizzie Beth Woods, who resided at 200 Washington Drive, died from unknown causes on July 9, 1978. The funeral was handled by Hurley Funeral Home. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked.
Binns Elizzebeth Female African American Free Teacher December 31, 1925 24 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Clarke Joseph Male African American Free Laborer December 31, 1923 13 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Echols Hiram Male African American Free Laborer December 31, 1923 53 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Gleen Albirdie Female African American Free December 31, 1919 5 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Huff J. Male African American Free December 31, 1923 1 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Jones John Male African American Free Drayman December 31, 1919 40 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Lyons Hannah Female African American Free Housework December 31, 1922 56 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Merriweather Carrie Female African American Free Domestic December 31, 1921 27 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Owens Emberly Female African American Enslaved Laborer December 31, 1924 99 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.

Get in touch

  • Department of History
    220 LeConte Hall, Baldwin Street
    University of Georgia
    Athens, GA 30602-1602
  • 706-542-2053
  • 706-542-2455
  • history@uga.edu

eHistory was founded at the University of Georgia in 2011 by historians Claudio Saunt and Stephen Berry

Learn More about eHistory