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 Markersort descending Biography
Smith Lula Female African American Free Laundress December 31, 1919 45 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Ector Benjiman Male African American Free December 31, 1920 0 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.
Teasley Dottie Female African American Free December 31, 1973 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked According to her obituary, Dottie Susie Teasley, who resided at 275 Fourth Street, died from unknown causes in March 1974. The funeral was handled by Mutual Funeral Home. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked.
Walker Macauloy Male African American Free Child December 31, 1920 0 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Haynes Rachel Female African American Free Student December 31, 1904 December 31, 1920 15 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.
Booke Ben Male African American Free Laborer December 31, 1926 50 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Jones Margaret Female African American Enslaved Laborer December 31, 1920 87 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
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.
Smith Peter Male African American Enslaved Laborer December 31, 1919 80 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Ector Carrie Female African American Free December 31, 1918 0 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.
Terrell Charles Male African American Unknown December 31, 1933 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Charles Terrell Jr. was born around 1916. His parents, Charles Terrell and Julia Stuts, were both Athens natives. His father, “Chas” Terrell was noted to be a carpenter before his son was born, being listed along with his wife Julia in a 1912 Athens, GA directory living at 347 First Street. In the 1931 directory, however, “Chas” Terrell is said to be a cook, living on 389 Meigs St. On October 6, 1934, Terrell Jr.’s life was cut short after passing away at a tender age of 18 while he was still a schoolboy. The place of death is recorded to be 376 Odd Street. The cause of death was noted to be an acute dilatation of the heart, or nowadays known as dilated cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle), with contributary causes of importance being listed as fever and overexertion. He was buried five days later in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery on October 11, 1934 with his family in attendance. [Researched and written by Bita Jadali]
Walker Taylor Male African American Enslaved Farmer December 31, 1920 60 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Hearel Eddie Male African American Free Laborer December 31, 1922 37 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.
Booth Richard Male African American Free Laborer December 31, 1920 38 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Jones Robert Male African American Free Railroad Employee December 31, 1920 54 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
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.
Smith Rencie Female African American Free Laborer December 31, 1923 56 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Ector M. Male African American Free Janitor December 31, 1925 49 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.
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]
Walker William Male African American Free Drayman December 31, 1919 36 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.
Poole Fay Female African American Free December 31, 1913 December 31, 1918 5 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Bowmans Jack Male African American Free Laborer December 31, 1924 60 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.
Howell Leonard Male African American Free December 31, 1954 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked According to his obituary, Leonard Howell, who resided in Atlanta, died from unknown causes in November 1955. He was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; his grave may be unmarked.
Springs Charlie Male African American Free Drayman December 31, 1918 31 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Ector Piety Female African American Free December 31, 1879 December 31, 1921 42 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.
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.
Warren Harrett Female African American Enslaved Housework December 31, 1918 80 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Hill [??] Female African American Free December 31, 1918 December 31, 1918 0 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
[??] Barbara Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Barbara [M??] [??] is believed to be buried in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery. Little is known about her life.
Pope [??] Male African American Free Child December 31, 1918 0 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.
Joseph George Male African American Free Child December 31, 1922 December 31, 1922 0 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Howell Lamar Female African American Free December 31, 1967 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked According to her obituary, Mrs. Leonard Howell, who resided in Atlanta, died from unknown causes in February 1968. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked.
Stephens Clide Male African American Free Barber December 31, 1920 38 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.
Mcclusky Julia Female African American Enslaved Housework December 31, 1923 71 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.
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]
Washington Leo Male African American Free Student December 31, 1920 13 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Hill John Female African American Free Child December 31, 1918 December 31, 1918 0 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Jane Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Jane is believed to be buried in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery. Little is known about her life.
Potts Lou Female African American Enslaved Cook December 31, 1924 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.
Killian Sarah Female African American Free Housewife December 31, 1901 December 31, 1926 24 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Johnson Curtis Male African American Free December 31, 1983 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked According to his obituary, Curtis Johnson, who resided at 97 Broad Acres, died from unknown causes in September 1984. He was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; his grave may be unmarked.
Stokely George Male African American Enslaved Laborer December 31, 1920 58 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.
Mcgreggy Cinrella Female African American Enslaved Laborer December 31, 1918 70 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]
Watson Myrtie Female African American Free Child December 31, 1920 0 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Hill Mamie Female African American Free Domestic December 31, 1880 December 31, 1922 42 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Walter Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Walter is believed to be buried in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery. Little is known about his life.
Powell Major Male African American Free Farmer December 31, 1894 December 31, 1922 28 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.
Laney Minnie Female African American Free Cook December 31, 1920 28 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Johnson James Male African American Free December 31, 1971 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked According to his obituary, James Johnson, who resided at 151 Lyndon Avenue, died from unknown causes in October 1972. He was married to Ethel Johnson and they had at least one child, Blanche Johnson Jones. The funeral was handled by Hurley’s Funeral Home. He was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; his grave may be unmarked.
Stokes Corneilus Female African American Free Laundress December 31, 1920 25 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.
Mcqueen Sam Male African American Enslaved Barber December 31, 1920 72 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.
White Nettie Female African American Free Housewife December 31, 1926 54 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Hill Patsy Female African American Free December 31, 1925 50 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Bell Andrew Male African American Free Reverend December 31, 1896 December 31, 1958 58 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked The son of John J. Bell and Idea Bell, Andrew Bell was born on June 10, 1897 in Oglethorpe, Georgia. In 1910, the family lived on College Ave in Athens; Andrew did not attend school was unable to read or write at that time. Sometime before 1920, he married Mary B. Bell and moved to Atlanta, where he lived much of his adult life. He worked as a “Overseer” at the Country Club in 1920 and, according to his obituary, he was a “Reverend.” At 58 years old, he died from unknown causes on September 23, 1959 in Fulton County, GA. His funeral was held at the Dorsey Tabernacle Baptist Church in Athens on September 29, 1959.
Powers Annie Bell Female African American Free Laborer December 31, 1926 33 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.
Lawrence Orrin Male African American Enslaved December 31, 1920 82 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Stokley Lizzie Female African American Free Cook December 31, 1873 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.
Menifield Ella Female African American Enslaved Housework December 31, 1921 94 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]
Wilburn Boyd Male African American Free Laborer December 31, 1921 21 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Hiram Ellen Female African American Free Cook December 31, 1919 56 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Bell Vino Female African American Free December 31, 1889 December 31, 1961 72 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Vino Bell was born around 1890. She married Dock Bell and the couple had at least four children: Willie, Susie, Daisy Lee, and Mary. In 1940, the family lived off Old Elberton Road in Bucks Branch. She died from unknown causes in 1962. According to her obituary, she lived at 473 Little Oak Street at the time of her death. Her funeral was held at Ebenezer Baptist Church.
Pulliam Lucy May Female African American Free December 31, 1919 2 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.
Lee Della Female African American Free Laborer December 31, 1923 48 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.
Fields Lelia Female African American Free Housework December 31, 1921 51 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.
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]
Wiley Serema Female African American Free Seamstress December 31, 1922 49 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Hirams Rubin Male African American Free Laborer December 31, 1922 55 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Bryant Lillie Female African American Free December 31, 1894 December 31, 1970 76 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Lillie Wade Bryant was born around 1895. She appears to have married. At 76 years old, she died from unknown causes on April 25, 1971. According to her obituary, she lived at 872 W Broad Street at the time of her death.
Ramey Geo. Male African American Free Farmer December 31, 1923 51 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.
Lewis Ellen Female African American Free Housework December 31, 1920 55 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.
Ford Malinda Female African American Free Farmer December 31, 1920 55 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.

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