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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dixon | Laura | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1946 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | According to her obituary, Laura Annie Dixon, who resided at 201 Butler Street in Atlanta, Georgia, died in January 1947. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked. | |||
Joseph | George | Male | African American | Free | Child | December 31, 1922 | December 31, 1922 | 0 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. |
Simmons | Harett | Female | African American | Enslaved | Laborer | December 31, 1921 | 95 | 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. | |
Lyons | John | Male | African American | Free | Mason | December 31, 1920 | 56 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Wagner | George | Male | African American | Enslaved | Plasterer | December 31, 1918 | 65 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
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. | |||
Hill | John | Female | African American | Free | Child | December 31, 1918 | December 31, 1918 | 0 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. |
Parrott | Henry | Male | African American | Enslaved | Laborer | December 31, 1918 | 70 | 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. | |
Edwards | Roberta | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1948 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | According to her obituary, Roberta Woods Edwards, the wife of Joseph Edward, died in November 1949. The funeral was handled by Mack & Payne Funeral Home. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked. | |||
Killian | Sarah | Female | African American | Free | Housewife | December 31, 1901 | December 31, 1926 | 24 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. |
Sloan | Lucinda | Female | African American | Enslaved | Laborer | December 31, 1919 | 80 | 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. | |
Mack | Claudie | Female | African American | Free | Housework | December 31, 1885 | December 31, 1924 | 41 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. |
Wales | Cassie | Female | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1921 | 48 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
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] | |||
Hill | Mamie | Female | African American | Free | Domestic | December 31, 1880 | December 31, 1922 | 42 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. |
Patterson | Nellie | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1922 | 0 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | ||
Brewer | [??] | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1904 | December 31, 1920 | 0 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Ellis | Sarah | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1945 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | According to her obituary, Sarah Ellis died in November 1946. The funeral was handled by Mutual Funeral Home. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked. | |||
Laney | Minnie | Female | African American | Free | Cook | December 31, 1920 | 28 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Smith | Betney | Male | African American | Enslaved | Cook | December 31, 1922 | 71 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Fields | Bell | Female | African American | Free | Cook | December 31, 1881 | December 31, 1926 | 45 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. |
Mack | Cynthia | Female | African American | Unknown | Housework | December 31, 1921 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | ||
Walker | [??] | Female | African American | Free | Child | December 31, 1924 | December 31, 1924 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
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] | |||
Hill | Patsy | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1925 | 50 | 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. | |
Bridy | Camilla | Female | African American | Enslaved | Cook | December 31, 1924 | 74 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
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. | |||
Lawrence | Orrin | Male | African American | Enslaved | December 31, 1920 | 82 | 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. | |
Fields | Jno. | Male | African American | Free | Cotton Worker | December 31, 1918 | 35 | 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. | |
Walker | Charlie | Male | African American | Enslaved | Reverend | December 31, 1919 | 65 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Thronton | Tommie | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1953 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | According to her obituary, Mrs. Tommie Upshaw Thornton, who resided at 170 Lendon Avenue, died from unknown causes in September 1954. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked. | |||
Hiram | Ellen | Female | African American | Free | Cook | December 31, 1919 | 56 | 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. | |
Brittin | George | Male | African American | Free | Carpenter | December 31, 1925 | 50 | 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 | ||
Lee | Della | Female | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1923 | 48 | 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. | |
Fields | Lelia | Female | African American | Free | Housework | December 31, 1921 | 51 | 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. | |
Walker | Fannie | Female | African American | Enslaved | Farmer | December 31, 1920 | 70 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
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] | |||
Hirams | Rubin | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1922 | 55 | 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. | |
Browner | Richard | Male | African American | Enslaved | City Employee | December 31, 1921 | 63 | 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. | ||
Lewis | Ellen | Female | African American | Free | Housework | December 31, 1920 | 55 | 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. | |
Ford | Malinda | Female | African American | Free | Farmer | December 31, 1920 | 55 | 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. | |
Walker | Macauloy | Male | African American | Free | Child | December 31, 1920 | 0 | 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] | |||
Warrick | Anges | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1969 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Agnes (Aremita) Heard Warrick was born in Athens, Georgia on October 13, 1897. On March 1, 1927, she married Ronald M. Warrick. At age 72, Warrick died on January 15, 1970 and was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery in Athens, Georgia. Her last known residence was in Fort Pierce, Saint Lucie, Florida. [Researched and written by Taliesin Utz] | |||
Holbrooks | Rosa | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1919 | 0 | 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. | |
Buedon | Ora | Male | African American | Free | Gardener | December 31, 1920 | December 31, 1920 | 0 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. |
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. | |||
Lewis | Fannie | Female | African American | Enslaved | Teacher | December 31, 1923 | 63 | 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. | |
Fortson | Jim | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1919 | 0 | 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. | |
Walker | Taylor | Male | African American | Enslaved | Farmer | December 31, 1920 | 60 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
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. | |||
Holmes | Geo. | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1923 | 0 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | ||
Poole | Fay | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1913 | December 31, 1918 | 5 | 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. | ||
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. | |||
Logan | Fanie | Female | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1925 | 28 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Springs | Charlie | Male | African American | Free | Drayman | December 31, 1918 | 31 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
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. | |||
Foster | Jos. | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1918 | 19 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
McClure | Ida | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1915 | December 31, 1920 | 5 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Walker | William | Male | African American | Free | Drayman | December 31, 1919 | 36 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
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. | |||
Holmes | Mattie | Female | African American | Free | Child | December 31, 1920 | 0 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Pope | [??] | Male | African American | Free | Child | December 31, 1918 | 0 | 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. | |
Freeman | Julia | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1963 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | According to her obituary Julia A. Freeman, who resided at 237 North Church Street, died from unknown causes in June 1964. She was married to Edward M. Freeman. The funeral was handled by Hurley Funeral Home. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked. | |||
Lumpkin | Dan | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1926 | 45 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Stephens | Clide | Male | African American | Free | Barber | December 31, 1920 | 38 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
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. | |||
Foster | Lorenza | Male | African American | Free | Child | December 31, 1926 | December 31, 1926 | 0 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. |
Mcclusky | Julia | Female | African American | Enslaved | Housework | December 31, 1923 | 71 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Warren | Harrett | Female | African American | Enslaved | Housework | December 31, 1918 | 80 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
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. | |||
Houston | Florence | Female | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1920 | 21 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Potts | Lou | Female | African American | Enslaved | Cook | December 31, 1924 | 70 | 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. | |
Gilbert | Robert | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1952 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | According to his obituary, Robert Gilbert, who resided at 346 Bowie Street SW in Atlanta, died from unknown causes in January 1953. He was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; his grave may be unmarked. | |||
Lumpkin | Rosa | Female | African American | Free | Domestic | December 31, 1918 | 52 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Stokely | George | Male | African American | Enslaved | Laborer | December 31, 1920 | 58 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
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. | |||
Gant | Ellen | Female | African American | Enslaved | Farmer | December 31, 1919 | 110 | 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. | |
Washington | Leo | Male | African American | Free | Student | December 31, 1920 | 13 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. |