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 Occupationsort ascending DOB DOD Age Grave Location Grave Marker Biography
Griffen Thomas Male African American Free December 31, 1919 26 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Blont [Gary?] Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Lyons Joseph Male African American Free December 31, 1892 December 31, 1940 48 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Joseph R. Lyons was born between 1892 and 1893. At 48 years old, he died from unknown causes on September 12, 1941.
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.
Milner Ella Female African American Enslaved December 31, 1861 December 31, 1942 81 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Ella L. Milner was born in 1862 and most likely enslaved as a child. She married Sam Milner, a warehouse worker, and the couple had at least one child: Roberta Milner. She did not work during her married life. As a widow in 1930, she lived alone at 168 Peabody Street. She died from unknown causes in 1943.
Clarke Gertrude Female African American Free December 31, 1895 December 31, 1976 81 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Gertrude W. Clarke was born on December 24, 1894 (or 1896). She married Ivy C. Clark and, in 1920, the couple lived on S Thomas; she worked as a dressmaker and he was a “Truck Hand” in a “Cotton Warehouse.” In 1940, she was a widow living with her niece or nephew at 131 Linden Row. At 81 years old, she died from unknown causes on May 3, 1977. According to her obituary, she lived at 175 Glenhaven Ave at the time of her death. Her funeral was held at Ebenezer Baptist Church West.
Harris Mary Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
[Re?]id Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Stryckland [??] Unknown African American Unknown December 31, 1931 42 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked At 42 years old, [??] Stryckland died on November 20, 1932.
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.
Davis Minnie Female African American Free December 31, 1939 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to her tombstone, Minnie [H?] Davis died in February 1940. According to the 1904 City Directory, J. W. Daivs worked as a mail carrier and lived at 24 Strong Street. In 1909, he was married to Minnie Davis and they lived at 178 Strong Street.
Hill Harrison Male African American Free December 31, 1930 December 31, 1930 0 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to his tombstone, Harrison Hill was an infant who died on December 4, 1931.
M. W. Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Adams Clarence Male African American Free December 31, 1919 1 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Sanders Richard Male African American Free December 31, 1901 December 31, 1944 42 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Richard Sanders was born on December 26, 1902. According to the 1916 City Directory, he worked as a "wks [at] Costa's" and lived at 240 Newton Street. In 1917, he worked as a porter and lived at 241 Newton Street. He served in the stationed at 327 Service Battalion and was stationed at Camp Gordon during the First World War. In 1940, he worked as a butler and lived in the rear of 724 Prince Avenue. He died from unknown causes on September 25, 1945.
Clemons Clifford Male African American Free December 31, 1945 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked According to his obituary, Clifford T. Clemons died from unknown causes in July 1946. He was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; his grave is unmarked.
Harris Maggie Female African American Free December 31, 1896 December 31, 1909 12 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked The daughter of Ledie and Robert Harris, Maggie L. Harris was born around August 9,1897. As a child, in 1910, she attended school lived with her father and siblings on Flint Street. She died from unknown causes on June 26, 1910.
[??] Mattie Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Jones Vinnie Female African American Enslaved December 31, 1824 December 31, 1886 62 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Vinnie Jones was born around December 25, 1825 and most likely spent her early life enslaved. She married Willis A. Jones, a carpenter and reverend, and, in 1880, the couple lived on Broad Street. She died from unknown causes on November 7, 1887.
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.
White Anna Female African American Unknown December 31, 1913 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to her tombstone, Anna E. White died on October 24, 1914.
Sanders-McGee Sarah Female African American Free December 31, 1873 December 31, 1933 60 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked The daughter of Lou McCree, Sarah Sanders McGee (or McCree) was born around 1874. In 1880, she lived with her mother and siblings on Throne Street. She most likely married William Sanders and, in 1910, lived at 370 Hull Street.
Cobb Minnie Female African American Free December 31, 1943 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked According to her obituary, Minnie Lee Crawford Cobb died from unknown causes in February 1944. The funeral was handled by Mack & Payne Funeral home. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave is 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.
Davis G.H. Male African American Enslaved December 31, 1844 December 31, 1894 49 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to his tombstone, G. H. Davis was born on July 3, 1845 and most likely enslaved as a child. According to the 1889 City Directory, he worked at Harris & Davis and lived at 319 Reese Street. At 49 years old, he died on June 11, 1895.
Hill Valetta Female African American Free December 31, 1878 December 31, 1954 76 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked The daughter of Rosa and Robert Smith, Valetta Smith Hill was born on January 2, 1879. In 1880, she lived with her parents in Athens, Georgia. In 1900, she was married, but still lived with her mother and siblings at 851 Cherry Lane. She died from unknown causes on April 12, 1955.
Harden Mary Female African American Enslaved December 31, 1926 95 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.
Foster [??] Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Scott Samuel Male African American Enslaved Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to his tombstone, Samuel S. Scott died in 1862; he was most likely enslaved. His body was most likely moved to Gospel Pilgrim sometime after 1882 when the cemetery opened.
[Campbell?] Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Known as "Mother" on her tombstone, she most likely a member of the Campbell family.
Terrell Burnett Male African American Free December 31, 1913 December 31, 1943 30 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Burnett Terrell was born on August 2, 1914. He died from unknown causes on November 8, 1944.
McGinthy Harmon Male African American Free December 31, 1956 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked According to his obituary, Harmon McGinthey, who resided in Madison, Georgia, died from unknown causes in April 1957. He was the husband of Leila Mae McGinthey and the father of Gussie Mae McGinthey. He was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; his grave may be unmarked.
Hill [??] Unknown African American Unknown December 31, 1923 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to the tombstone, [??] W. Hill died from unknown causes in 1924.
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.
Bakin Edward Male African American Free December 31, 1918 0 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Jackson [L.?] Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
[Campbell?] Andrew Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Most likely a member of the Campbell family.
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.
Jones W. Unknown African American Enslaved December 31, 1854 December 31, 1905 51 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to the tombstone, W. A. Jones was born on April 11, 1855 and most likely enslaved. This individual died on November 5, 1905.
Thoma[??] [??]nno Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Neal Amy Female African American Free December 31, 1950 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked According to her obituary, Amy Terrell Neal died from unknown causes in January 1951. The funeral was handled by McWhorter Funeral Home. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked.
Payne Stella Female African American Free December 31, 1906 December 31, 1907 1 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to her tombstone, Stella Grace Payne was born on January 11, 1907 and died from unknown causes on July 18, 1908. She was 1 year and 6 months old at the time of death.
Whitfield Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Jackson Lila Female African American Free December 31, 1935 December 31, 1959 24 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Lila Lurlene Jackson was born in 1935 and died on September 26, 1960. She was only 24 years old at the time of her death.
Scruggs Ollie Female African American Free December 31, 1928 December 31, 1934 6 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked The daughter of Young and Olli Scruggs, Ollie Mae Scruggs was born on June 15, 1929 in North Carolina. At 6 years old, she died at the Athens General Hospital from endocarditis on October 6, 1935. In 1935, her father lived on Danielsville Road; this is most likely her last known address.
Cannon Sharoy Unknown African American Unknown December 31, 1963 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to the tombstone, Sharoy Cannon died in 1964.
Carey Fannie Female African American Enslaved December 31, 1853 December 31, 1937 84 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to her tombstone, Fannie L. Carey was born on July 6, 1854 and most likely Enslaved as a child. She married Lucius Carey, a laborer, and the couple lived at 385 Arch Street in 1935. She diedfrom unknown causes on December 9, 1939. She was 84 years old at the time of her death.
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.
Jones Lillie Female African American Free December 31, 1970 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Lillie May Jones died on January 9, 1971. At the time of her death, she lived at 105 Walton Street.
Thomas Codelia Female African American Free December 31, 1878 December 31, 1956 78 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Codelia A. Thomas was born in 1879 and died from unknown causes in 1957.
Nesbit Ernest Male African American Free December 31, 1945 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked According to his obituary, Ernest Nesbit, who resided in Augusta, died from unknown causes December 15, 1946. He married Mollie Nesbit, and the couple had at least one child, Leroy Nesbit. He was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; his grave may be unmarked.
Holbrook Rowena Female African American Free December 31, 1891 December 31, 1968 77 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked The daughter of Anna Hughes and Eugene Shepard, Rowena Antoinette Shepard Holbrook was born around 1892. In 1928, she lived at 1847 Broad Street with her husband, Stephen Holbrook, a carpet layer. According to the 1958 City Directory, the couple lived at 1347 W Broad Street. She died from unknown causes in 1969.
[Pearl?] Ossie Female African American Free December 31, 1888 December 31, 1956 68 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to her tombstone, Ossie was born around 1889 and died on March 18, 1957. She was 68 years old at the time of her death. She may have had the last name “Pearl.”
Franklin [?] Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
[Jackson?] Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
[Carey?] Floarey Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Morton William Male African American Free 10 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked William Morton died when he was 10 years old. He was the brother of Lizzy C. Morton.
Au[??] Ned Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Oglesby Lula Female African American Free December 31, 1952 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Lula Oglesby was born in Georgia in 1888. She attended school until 7th grade. She married Robert Oglesby and had at least five children: Sandford, Robert, Carrie, Beatrice, and Lenard. She worked as a laundress in both 1930 and 1940. She was widowed prior to 1930, but the exact date of her husband’s death is unknown. She died in 1953 from unknown causes. [Researched and written by Savannah Jane Williams]
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.
Johnson Herbert Male African American Free December 31, 1922 51 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
[Carey?] Eddie 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.
Jones Tena Unknown African American Enslaved December 31, 1847 December 31, 1887 40 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Tena Jones was born in 1848 and most likely enslaved as a child. This individual died from unknown causes on September 23, 1888. Madison Davis was the executor of the will.
McClure Ida Female African American Free December 31, 1915 December 31, 1920 5 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
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]
Holsey [??] Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Brown Martha Female African American Enslaved December 31, 1831 December 31, 1858 27 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to her tombstone, Martha M. Brown was born on September 27, 1832 and died on November 4, 1859; she was most likely enslaved. Her body was most likely moved to Gospel Pilgrim sometime after 1882, when the cemetery opened.
Wilder Rachel Female African American Free December 31, 1830 December 31, 1888 58 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Rachel Wilder was born around 1831. She married James Wilder, a farm laborer, and they could had at least five children: Dennis, Samuel, Charles, William, and Berry. In 1870, they lived in Madison, Georgia. At 58 years old, she died from unknown causes on October 19, 1889.
Poole Fay Female African American Free December 31, 1913 December 31, 1918 5 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Shaw Charles Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
[Carey?] Clara Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Morton Chester Male African American Free December 31, 1884 December 31, 1884 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to his tombstone, Chester Morton was born in March 1885 and died from unknown causes in July 1885. He was 4 or 5 months old at the time of his death. He is buried in the Morton plot in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery and most likely lived at 823 Prince Avenue with the other members of the Morton family.
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.
Dorsey Crock Male African American Enslaved December 31, 1923 80 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
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.
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.
G S Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
[Carey?] Anna Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
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.
Dunfoy Male African American Free December 31, 1920 0 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.
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]
Pope Celie Female African American Enslaved December 31, 1885 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to her tombstone, Celie Pope died in 1886 and was most likely enslaved. She may have been born around 1771.
Wilder Odessia Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked The daughter of Rachel Wilder and James Wilder, Odessia Wilder was born at an unknown issue. In 1870, the family lived in Madison, Georgia; this is most likely his last known address. In 1870, the family lived in Madison, Georgia; this is most likely her last known address.
Gaiy Harriet Female African American Free 55 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to her tombstone, Harriet C. Gaiy died during the 1940s at 55 years old.
Sheppard Anna Female African American Enslaved December 31, 1861 December 31, 1884 22 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to her tombstone, Anna M. H. Sheppard was born on August 17, 1862 and most likely enslaved as a child. At 22 years of age, she died from unknown causes on April 25, 1885.
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.

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