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
Bryant Lillie Female African American Free December 31, 1970 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to her tombstone, Lillie Bryant died from unknown causes in 1971.
[Campbell?] Andrew Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Most likely a member of the Campbell family.
H[??] Olivia Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
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.
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.
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.
Griggs Joe Male African American Free December 31, 1949 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked According to his obituary, Joe Henry Griggs, who resided at 280 Cain St NE in Atlanta, died from unknown causes in May 1950. He was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; his grave may be unmarked.
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.
Thomas Ethal Female African American Free December 31, 1944 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked The daughter of Charles and Fannie Walker, Ethel Walker Thomas was born in May of 1884. As a teenager and young adult, she resided in Sandy Creek with her family, where she worked as a laborer on their farm. She did not attend school, but she was able to read and write. In 1910, she married Lonnie Thomas, and the couple had several children: Edward, Melvin, Azzie, Charles, Elmore, and Alfonza. According to the 1920 census, she lived on Oak Street with her husband and children and worked as a washerwoman. In 1930, she resided at the same address with her family and worked as a maid for a private family. She died from unknown causes on February 1, 1945. [Researched and written by Jake Underwood]
McQueen Mahala Female African American Unknown December 31, 1909 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Mahala Wooden McQueen survived four wars throughout her lifetime, including the War of 1812 at the time of her birth. She later sewed and mended clothes for soldiers in the Mexican American War, Civil War, and the Spanish American War. Born at Cherokee Corners in Oglethorpe County, and was enslaved to the Hill family. Her obituary notes her labor for the Barrow family in raising David Crenshaw Barrow, former University of Georgia Chancellor from 1906 to 1925. At the time of her death, she birthed twelve children with only two surviving, Sam McQueen and a daughter, Julia Witheld. She passed away at 98 years old in her cottage home at 658 Hull Street on March 22nd, 1910.
Bowmans Jack Male African American Free Laborer December 31, 1924 60 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Collins Eva Female African American Enslaved Cook December 31, 1919 70 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Griffen Thomas Male African American Free December 31, 1919 26 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Hemphill Susie Female African American Free Domestic December 31, 1926 51 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Jacks Mary Female African American Enslaved Laborer December 31, 1923 70 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Joseph Anna Female African American Free December 31, 1919 0 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Mack Mollie Female African American Free Domestic December 31, 1925 40 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Payne Jesse Male African American Free Child December 31, 1926 1 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Rhodes Joe Male African American Free December 31, 1920 0 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Smith Lizzie Female African American Free Housework December 31, 1922 48 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Teasly Walter Male African American Free Laborer December 31, 1921 34 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Walker Charlie Male African American Enslaved Reverend December 31, 1919 65 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Wise L. Male African American Free Child December 31, 1922 1 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Cannon Sharoy Unknown African American Unknown December 31, 1963 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to the tombstone, Sharoy Cannon died in 1964.
H. H. Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
M. W. Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Morton Lizzy Female African American Free Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Lizzy C. Morton died around 10 months old. She was the sister of William Morton, who died when he was 10 years old. She most likely lived at 823 Prince Avenue with the other members of the Morton family.
Thoma[??] [??]nno Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Whitfield Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Dallas Elzia Female African American Free December 31, 1965 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked According to her obituary, Elzia Duck Dallas, who resided at 742 Madison Avenue, died from unknown causes in August 1966. The funeral was handled by Hurley Funeral Home. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave is unmarked.
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.
McCree Sam Male African American Free December 31, 1955 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked According to his obituary, Sam McCree, the son of Ella Kelly and the husband of Rowena McCree, died from unknown causes on October 1956. The funeral was handled by McWhorter Funeral Home. He was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; his grave may be unmarked.
Thomas Bennie Male African American Free December 31, 1989 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked According to his obituary, Bennie Thomas, who resided at 230 Pauldoe Street, died from unknown causes in February 1990. The funeral was handled by Mutual Funeral Home. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked.
Adams Clarence Male African American Free December 31, 1919 1 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Boyd Claura Female African American Free Laborer December 31, 1923 26 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Cook Mary Female African American Free Laborer December 31, 1925 60 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Edwards Fred Male African American Enslaved Fireman December 31, 1922 62 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Griffieth Mayfield Female African American Free Student December 31, 1925 16 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Jackson Hattie Female African American Free Child December 31, 1923 2 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Marshall Nannie Female African American Enslaved Housework December 31, 1919 80 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Mongumory Tom Male African American Enslaved Laborer December 31, 1923 60 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Payne Jessie Male African American Free Laborer December 31, 1924 22 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Richards J. Male African American Free Reverend December 31, 1920 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Smith Lula Female African American Free Laundress December 31, 1919 45 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Terrell George Male African American Free Laborer December 31, 1922 37 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Walker Fannie Female African American Enslaved Farmer December 31, 1920 70 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Witcher Nolia Female African American Free Cook December 31, 1920 29 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.
Edwards Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Franklin [?] Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Ha[??] Mamie Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Hawkins Daviet Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
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.
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.
McGinthey Leila Female African American Free December 31, 1967 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked According to her obituary, Leila Mae McGinthey, who resided in Madison, Georgia, died in June 1968. She was the wife of Harmon McGinthey and the mother of Gussie Mae McGinthey. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked.
Thomas Lonnie Male African American Free December 31, 1962 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Lonnie Thomas was born on May 6, 1879. He married Ethel Thomas, who worked as a hotel maid. Lonnie and Ethe had at least six children: Edward, Melvin, Hassie (or “Azzie”), Alfonzo, Charlie, and St. Elmore. Census records show that Lonnie owned his house on 160 Water Oak Street in Athens, Georgia. In 1910, Mr. Thomas went to court and won against someone who had wrongfully disposed of his personal property. His draft card for the military in 1918 listed the same address, along with his employer, the Georgia Plow Company, where he worked for many years as a laborer in the factory. He died from unknown causes on January 20, 1963, and was buried in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery. [Researched and written by McKenna Sanville]
Anderson J. Male African American Enslaved Painter December 31, 1919 60 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Bradley Lena Female African American Free Housework December 31, 1918 48 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Cox Dick Male African American Enslaved Mill Employee December 31, 1922 64 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Everaton Mamie Female African American Free Housework December 31, 1920 17 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Griffin Carrie Female African American Free Housewife December 31, 1926 48 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Jackson Sallie Female African American Free Farmer December 31, 1924 23 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Martin Amandia Female African American Free Housework December 31, 1919 50 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Moore Robert Male African American Free Child December 31, 1925 1 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Payne Lettia Female African American Enslaved Domestic December 31, 1927 85 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Smith Peter Male African American Enslaved Laborer December 31, 1919 80 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Terrell Mannie Female African American Free Housework December 31, 1922 23 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Walker Macauloy Male African American Free Child December 31, 1920 0 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Powers Amanda Female African American Enslaved December 31, 1917 73 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Daughter of Harriett Powers. According to her obituary, she died at 73 years of age in May 1918. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked.
Au[??] Ned Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
[Carey?] Floarey Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Franklin R. Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked The son of Mattie Franklin and Eddie Ted Johnson, Eddie Johnson was born on May 9, 1920 and died on from unknown causes on November 13, 1947. He is buried alongside R. Franklin—who is most likely a sibling.
[Hunter?] Annie Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Upson Brinie Female African American Free December 31, 1952 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Brynie Upson was born around 1880. She married Neal Upson, a farmer, and the couple lived outside of town on Hull Road. She died from unknown causes on December 21, 1953. According to the 1942 City Directory, he lived at 450 Fourth Street; this was most likely her last known address.
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.
Hill Emerline Female African American Free December 31, 1950 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked According to her obituary, Emerline Hill, who resided at 654 North Avenue NW in Atlanta, died in May 1951. The funeral was handled by Hanley’s Ashby Street Funeral Home. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked.
McGinthey Gussie Female African American Free December 31, 1963 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked According to her obituary, Gussie Mae McGinthey, who resided in Atlanta, Georgia, died in May 1964. She was the daughter of Leila Mae McGinthey and Harmon McGinthey. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked.
Thomas Arthur Male African American Free December 31, 1943 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked The son of Margaret and Hamilton Thomas, Arthur Thomas was born between 1867 and 1870. Around 1906, he married Gertrude Thomas, and the couple had at least one child, Willie Mae Thomas. In 1910, he worked as a brickmason and rented a home at 288 Bridge Street. He died from unknown causes in 1944. At the time of his death, he lived in Atlanta. [Researched and written by Nic Rasool]
Arnold Julia Female African American Enslaved Laborer December 31, 1920 65 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Harden Mary Female African American Enslaved December 31, 1926 95 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Jerby Minor Male African American Free Farmer December 31, 1918 49 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Laney Minnie Female African American Free Cook December 31, 1920 28 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Mathews Oliva Female African American Enslaved Laundress December 31, 1919 61 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Morton Ebb Male African American Free Laborer December 31, 1918 50 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Pitman Carrie Female African American Free Laundress December 31, 1919 30 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Robinson Vainiga Female African American Free Student December 31, 1921 6 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Smith Rencie Female African American Free Laborer December 31, 1923 56 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Thomas Alfred Male African American Free Mechanic December 31, 1918 27 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Walker Taylor Male African American Enslaved Farmer December 31, 1920 60 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
[Carey?] Eddie Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Collins Female African American Unknown December 31, 1917 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to her tombstone, this female member of the Collins family died in 1918. She was most likely married to Reverend Collins, who preceded her in death in 1894.
Hill [??] Unknown African American Unknown December 31, 1923 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to the tombstone, [??] W. Hill died from unknown causes in 1924.
Jackson [L.?] Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Shaw Charles Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
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.

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