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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Howard | Aurodite | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1919 | 0 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | ||
W | J | Unknown | African American | Unknown | 77 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | [biographical information unknown] | |||
Lyles | Eugene | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1972 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Eugene Lyles was born around 1870. He married Mattie Owens Lyles and, in 1930, they lived at 147 Plum Street. He worked as a plasterer in both 1910 and 1930. According to the 1956 City Directory, he still lived at 147 Plum Street. According to his tombstone, he died on November 25, 1973. | ||
Cole | Mary | Female | African American | Unknown | Laundress | December 31, 1859 | December 31, 1942 | 83 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Mary Camilla Cole was born sometime between 1850 and 1870; it is unknown is she was born free or enslaved.. She married William Cole and gave birth to nine children. In 1910, only two of her children, Hansel Cole and an unnamed child, were living. In 1910, the family lived on John Street in Athens. According to the 1942 City Directory, she worked as a laundress and lived at 320 Cleveland Avenue. She died from unknown causes on February 15, 1943. |
Cheney | Alex | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1922 | 34 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | ||
Reid | Laura | Female | African American | Free | Laundress | December 31, 1866 | December 31, 1928 | 63 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Alfred Richardson, Laura E. Reid was born around 1867. On October 5, 1884, she married Lorenzo W. Reid, a barber, and the couple had at least ten children: Beulah, L. W., Charlie, Addie, Fannie, Louisa, Ruth, Etta, Mattiline, and Laura Ella. In 1900, the family lived at 431 Bridge Street and she did not work outside the home. She worked as a laundress in 1910. In 1897, her husband worked as a barber and lived at 431 Bridge Street. At 63 years old, she died bronchial pneumonia on December 29, 1929. |
Jackson | Cora | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1886 | December 31, 1887 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to her tombstone, Cora Jackson was born on July 15, 1887 and died on February 7, 1888. The infant was only 7 months old at the time of her death. | ||
Smith | Betney | Male | African American | Enslaved | Cook | December 31, 1922 | 71 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Lungkins | Elnora | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1912 | December 31, 1921 | 10 | 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. | |||||
McQueen | Carrie | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1883 | December 31, 1883 | 1 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to her tombstone, Carrie McQueen died in 1885; she was 1 year, 3 months, and 11 days old. 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. She was the sibling of Mamie N. McQueen and William McQueen. | |
[Barker?] | [Sam?] | Male | African American | Enslaved | December 31, 1846 | December 31, 1926 | 80 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to his tombstone, Sam Barker was born, most likely enslaved, around 1847, and died on January 28, 1927. He was eighty years old at the time of his death. | |
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. | |||
Drake | Virgie | Female | African American | Free | Teacher | December 31, 1882 | December 31, 1957 | 74 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Virgie C. Drake was born on April 8, 1883. She graduated from Hampton Institute in 1903 and later worked as a teacher in Athens. She married Cornelius Drake and, in 1920 and 1940, the couple lived at 986 Reese Street. After his death, she still lived in the house, according to the 1956 City Directory. She died from unknown causes on July 6, 1958. |
Mack | Cynthia | Female | African American | Unknown | Housework | December 31, 1921 | 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. | |
Gleen | Albirdie | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1919 | 5 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | ||
Stephens | Oliver | Male | African American | Enslaved | December 31, 1848 | December 31, 1879 | 31 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Oliver Stephens was born on August 21, 1849 and most likely enslaved. At 31 years old, he died on September 6, 1880. | |
Jones | Julius | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1907 | December 31, 1941 | 34 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to his tombstone, Julius C. Jones was born in 1908 and died in 1942. | |
Walker | Charlie | Male | African American | Enslaved | Reverend | December 31, 1919 | 65 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
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. | |||
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. | |||
Nesbitt | Charlie | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1889 | December 31, 1889 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Charlie Nesbitt was born on January 8, 1890. At 9 months old, he died from unknown causes on October 22, 1890. He was most likely the infant of Ella and John Nesbit, who lived at 310 Pearl Street. | ||
Heard | M. | Unknown | African American | Free | December 31, 1887 | December 31, 1888 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to the tombstone, this 7 month-old infant was born on October 12, 1888and died from unknown causes on May 14, 1889. | ||
H[??] | Olivia | Female | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | [biographical information unknown] | ||||
Payne | Jesse | Male | African American | Free | Child | December 31, 1926 | 1 | 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. | ||
W[??] | Unknown | African American | Unknown | December 31, 1931 | 50 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | [biographical information unknown] | |||
Lyles | Mattie | Female | African American | Free | Laundress | December 31, 1880 | December 31, 1934 | 55 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Isabel Owens and Coloumbus Hardman, Mattie Owens Lyles was born on March 12, 1881. She married Eugene Lyles sometime before 1910. In 1910, she worked as a washer woman and, in 1930, she was a housewife. She died from diabetes mellitus and candidiasis disease on August 25, 1935. According to her Death Certificate, she was a housewife living at 147 Plum Street. |
Cole | John | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1924 | December 31, 1924 | 0 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Neomie Cole gave birth to a stillborn infant, John Cole, on May 2, 1925. His mother, Nonie, worked as a farm laborer and lived at 349 Hull Street in 1921. According to the Death Index, the infant died at 186 John Street. | |
Clarke | Joseph | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1923 | 13 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Reid | Beulah | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1884 | December 31, 1908 | 24 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Laura and Lorenza Reid, Beulah H. Reid was born on April 2, 1885. In 1900, she attended school and lived with her parents at 431 Bridge Street. She died from unknown causes on September 30, 1909. She was 24 years old. In 1897, her father lived at 431 Bridge Street; this is most likely her last known address. | |
Jackson | Alfred | Male | African American | Enslaved | Laborer | December 31, 1821 | December 31, 1883 | 62 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Alfred Jackson was born around 1822 in Virginia and most likely spent most of his life enslaved. He married Louisa Jackson and the couple had at least six children: Camilla, Edward, Albin, Bettie, Mary, and Judy. He worked as a day laborer in 1870 and a white washer in 1880. He lived on River Street. He died from unknown causes on February 14, 1884. |
Smith | Lizzie | Female | African American | Free | Housework | December 31, 1922 | 48 | 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. |
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. | |||
Barksdale | Andrew | Male | African American | Free | Waiter | December 31, 1890 | December 31, 1932 | 42 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Janie and Charlie Barksdale, Andrew Daniel Barksdale was born in November 1891 or 1892. As an 8 year-old child, he lived on Chase Street with his parents. In 1917, he lived in Lynwood Park in Clarke County, Georgia. He worked as a waiter before he was drafted into the army in 1918 and sent to Camp Funston in Fort Riley, Kansas. He died from unknown causes on June 17, 1933. After his death, Nancy Jane Timmons—who lived at 232 Gleen Avenue—applied for a military headstone for the grave. |
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. | |||
Derricotte | Ophelia | Female | African American | Free | Teacher | December 31, 1881 | December 31, 1931 | 50 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Charlotte L. Derricotte and Edward J. Derricotte, Ophelia Marie Derricotte Lyons was born on September 9, 1882. In 1900, she attended lived with her parents on Chase Street. According to Arthur Bunyan Caldwell’s Georgia, she married Charles Henry Spurgeon Lyons on September 8, 1909, and “she was educated at Athens and at Boston, and assists her husband in his work. Of the children born to them, two are living. They are Lottie Margaret and Charles Henry Spurgeon Lyons, Jr.” In 1920, she worked as a teacher in Athens. She died from cardiovascular renal disease on November 6, 1932. According to her Death Certificate, she worked as a teacher and lived at 427 Baxter Street. |
Dukes | Mary | Female | African American | Enslaved | Cook | December 31, 1842 | December 31, 1907 | 65 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to her tombstone, Mary Dukes died at 65 years old on July 10, 1908. Given these dates, she would have been born enslaved around 1843. According to the 1889 City Directory, she worked as a cook and lived at 216 Hancock Avenue. |
Marshall | Nannie | Female | African American | Enslaved | Housework | December 31, 1919 | 80 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Grady | Mary | Female | African American | Free | Cook | December 31, 1919 | 22 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Strickland | John | Male | African American | Free | Butcher | December 31, 1894 | December 31, 1918 | 24 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Jennie Wagner and Ed Strickland, John Strickland was born around 1895. In 1910, he lvied with his parents at 475 First Street and worked as a laborer in a cotton mill. During the First World War, he served in the 157 Depot Brigade at Camp Gordon. He died from pulmonary tuberculosis on April 22, 1919. According to his Death Certificate, he worked as a butcher and lived at 475 First Street. |
Jones | Ida | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1888 | December 31, 1948 | 60 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Ida Jones was born in 1889. In 1920, she lived with her husband, John Jones, a drayman, and their four children: William, Suise, Bernadett, and David. According to the 1942 City Directory, she lived at 425 Cleveland Avenue. At age 61, she died on June 29, 1949. | |
Walker | Fannie | Female | African American | Enslaved | Farmer | December 31, 1920 | 70 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Brydie | Edward | Male | African American | Free | Insurance Agent | December 31, 1885 | December 31, 1914 | 28 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Camilla and Eugene W. Brydie, Edward W. Brydie was born on December 26, 1886. In 1900, he attended school. By 1910, he was working as an insurance agent in Athens and still living with his parents at 101 Finley Street. He died from unknown causes on August 12, 1915. |
Wright | Inez | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1977 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | According to her obituary, Inez Flanigan Wright, who resided in Dayton, Ohio, died from unknown causes in March 1978. The funeral was handled by Hurley Funeral Home. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked. | |||
Newings | John | Male | African American | Free | Soldier | December 31, 1931 | December 31, 1955 | 24 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Mae Katie and Pierce Newing, John Evin Newings was born on July 19, 1932. In 1940, he lived with his parents in Bucks Branch Georgia. He served in the 360th Ord Ammo Company during the Koran War. He died from unknown causes on December 23, 1956. At the time of his death, he most likely lived at 355 Arch Street, which was the offical address of his father, Newings Pierce, in 1958. |
Heard | J. | Unknown | African American | Free | December 31, 1893 | December 31, 1893 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to the tombstone, J. T. Heard Jr. was born on July 31, 1894 and died August 30, 1894. It was the sibling of M. L. Heard. | ||
H. | H. | Unknown | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | [biographical information unknown] | ||||
Payne | Jessie | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1924 | 22 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Huff | John | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1884 | December 31, 1926 | 42 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. |
Wade | John | Male | African American | Free | Grocer | December 31, 1886 | December 31, 1947 | 60 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Orange Wade, John Wade was born around 1887 (or on February 2, 1886). In 1910, he worked as a “Bartender” at the “Bear Saloon.” According to his First World War Draft Card, he worked as a market business man and lived on Washington Street. According to the 1947 City Directory, he worked at Wade’s Market and lived with his wife, Leona, at 872 W Broad Street. He died from unknown causes on May 28, 1948. |
Lyons | C.H.S. | Male | African American | Free | Academic | December 31, 1880 | December 31, 1954 | 74 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | C. H. S. (or C. M. S.) Lyons Sr. was born on July 25, 1881. He may have worked as a professor or teacher. According to the 1952 City Directory, he was president of the Union Baptist Institute (known Jeruel Academy) and lived at 427 Baxter Street. He died on June 26, 1955. |
Coleman | Willie | Female | African American | Free | Student | December 31, 1914 | December 31, 1930 | 16 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Julia Coleman and D.K., Willie Mae Coleman was born around 1915. She attended school in Athens and lived at 258 Chase Street. She died from pulmonary tuberculosis on May 10, 1931. She was only 16 years old at the time of her death. |
Cleveland | J. | Male | African American | Free | Student | December 31, 1925 | 18 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Roebuck | [??] | Male | African American | Free | Porter | December 31, 1899 | December 31, 1951 | 52 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Roger Roebuck was born on March 15, 1900. He married Katie Roebuck prior to 1918. According to his First World War Draft Card, he lived at 328 Atlanta Street and worked as a laborer. He worked as a laborer for a Fertilizer Company in 1920 and a porter in 1940. According to the 1952 City Directory, he worked as a deliveryman at Beussee's Flowers and he and his wife lived at 770 Bray Street. He died from unknown causes in 1952. |
Jackson | Louisa | Female | African American | Enslaved | Laundress | December 31, 1825 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Louisa Jackson was born around 1826 in Georgia and most likely spent most of her life enslaved. She married Alfred Jackson, a day laborer and white washer, and the couple had at least six children: Camilla, Edward, Albin, Bettie, Mary, and Judy. She worked as a washer and ironer in 1880 and lived on River Street. She died sometime after 1880. | ||
Smith | Lula | Female | African American | Free | Laundress | December 31, 1919 | 45 | 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. | |
Meriweather | Senie | Female | African American | Free | Laundress | December 31, 1876 | December 31, 1905 | 29 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Maria and James Meriwether. Senie or Sena Meriwether was born on April 5, 1877. In 1880, she lived with her parents and siblings at 295 Thomas Street. According to the 1904 City Directory, she worked as a washerwoman and lived at 26 Rock Spring Street. At 29 years old, she died from unknown causes on April 8, 1906. |
Bass | Edward | Male | African American | Enslaved | Barber | December 31, 1859 | December 31, 1902 | 42 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Martha and William Bass, Edward W. Bass was born on August 23, 1860 and most likely spent his early years enslaved. As a youth in 1880, he worked as porter and eventually became a barber. He married Martha Caldwell on June 9, 1889. According to the 1889 City Directory, he worked as a barber and lived at 1024 Reese Street. At 42 years-old, Bass died from unknown causes on June 20, 1903. According to the 1904 City Directory, his widow, Martha Bass, lived at 1127 Reese Street--this is most likely his last known address as well. |
Jones | Walter | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1954 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | According to his obituary, Walter Jones died from unknown causes in April 1955. He married Annie Jones, and the couple had at least two children—Melease Jones Winston and Walter Jones Jr. He was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; his grave may be unmarked. | |||
Edwards | Female | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | [biographical information unknown] | |||||
Martin | Amandia | Female | African American | Free | Housework | December 31, 1919 | 50 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Grant | Render | Male | African American | Free | Chauffer | December 31, 1922 | 23 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
[Strickland?] | [??] | Unknown | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | [biographical information unknown] | ||||
Jones | Robert | Male | African American | Free | Mason | December 31, 1876 | December 31, 1936 | 60 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Susan Harris and Robert Jones, Robert L. Jones was born on July 9, 1872 (or 1877). Around 1908, he married Effie Jones and the couple appears not to have had children. He worked as a brick mason in 1910 and as a “Tiel Setter” in 1930. He died from apoplexy on February 12,1937. According to his Death Certificate, he worked as a brick mason and lived at 167 Paris Street |
Walker | Macauloy | Male | African American | Free | Child | December 31, 1920 | 0 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Brydie | E. | Unknown | African American | Enslaved | Barber | December 31, 1847 | December 31, 1908 | 61 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to the tombstone, E. W. Brydie was born on August 12, 1848 and most likely enslaved. He mosy likely married Camilla Jackson Brydie and the couple had at least three children: Carolyn, Eugene, and Edward. According to the 1889 City Directory, he worked as a barber and lived at 601 Plum Street. In 1904, he still worked as a barber, but noq lived at 101 N Findley Street. At around 61 years old, he died from unknown causes on October 3, 1909. |
Infant of A. S. Brown | Unknown | African American | Unknown | December 31, 1912 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | According to the obituary, the infant of A.S. Brown and his wife died from pneumonia in February 1913. The baby was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; its grave may be unmarked. | ||||
Newsome | Harry | Male | African American | Free | Porter | December 31, 1902 | December 31, 1954 | 52 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Harry C. Newsome was born on September 3, 1903 in Monroe, Georgia. He most likely married Bessie Newsome and, in 1942, they lived at 153 Lyndon Avenue. He worked for Krowe & Knowles, a local furniture store. According to the 1952 City Directory, he worked as porter for "Patrick's Pharm" and lived at 153 Lyndon Avenue. At 52 years old, he died from unknown causes on July 30, 1955. |
Heard | Mattie | Female | African American | Enslaved | Teacher | December 31, 1862 | December 31, 1942 | 78 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Mattie I. Heard was born around 1863 and most likely enslaved. She married William Heard, a blacksmith, in 1897 and the couple does not appear to have had living children. She worked as a teacher in 1900, 1910, and 1920 At the time of her husband’s death in 1939, they lived at 475 Reese Street. She died from unknown causes on November 13, 1943. |
Ha[??] | Mamie | Female | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | [biographical information unknown] | ||||
Payne | Lettia | Female | African American | Enslaved | Domestic | December 31, 1927 | 85 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Hunter | Sebe | Male | African American | Free | Merchant | December 31, 1921 | 35 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Walker | Joe | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1864 | December 31, 1926 | 62 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Joe Walker was born around 1865. He may have been arrested and jailed in Texas from 1883 to 1885. According to the 1924 City Directory, he worked as a laborer and lived with his wife, Mary, at 464 N Foundry Street. At 62 years old, he died from unknown causes on December 10, 1927. |
Lyons | Lottie | Female | African American | Free | Academic | December 31, 1911 | December 31, 1956 | 45 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The granddaughter of Charlotte and Edward Derricotte and the daughter of Ophelia M. and Charles Lyons, Lottie M. Lyons was born around 1912. In 1920, she lived with her parents at 427 Baxter Street. She was the Dean of Woman at Ft. Valley State College (now Fort Valley State University). She died from unknown causes on May 19, 1957. |
Collins | Male | African American | Unknown | Reverend | December 31, 1893 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to his tombstone, Reverend Collins died in 1894. | |||
Colbert | Guy | Male | African American | Free | Student | December 31, 1922 | 18 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
S[??] | Emma | Female | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | [biographical information unknown] | ||||
Jackson | Thomas | Male | African American | Free | Doctor | December 31, 1896 | December 31, 1930 | 34 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Sweetie Poline and Thomas Nathaniel Jackson, Thomas N. Jackson was born on June 12, 1897. As a child in 1900, he lived on Barber Street with his family. He graduated from Knox Institute in 1915. At the start of the First World War, he lived at 133 Cleveland Avenue and worked as a grist mill operator. During the war, he was a student at the Army Training Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1930, he worked as a physician in Athens. He died from [??] on November 8, 1931. According to the Death Certificate, he worked as a physician and lived at 133 Cleveland Avenue. |
Smith | Peter | Male | African American | Enslaved | Laborer | December 31, 1919 | 80 | 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. | |
Merriweather | W. | Unknown | African American | Free | December 31, 1912 | December 31, 1930 | 17 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to the tombstone, W. G. Merriweather was born on November 26, 1913 and died on July 20, 1931. This individual was only 17 years at the time of their death. | |
Bates | Alice | Female | African American | Free | Laundress | December 31, 1891 | December 31, 1974 | 83 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Alice Johnson Bates was born on April 10, 1892. In 1940, she worked as a laundress and was married to William Bates; the couple lived at 1537 W Broad Street in 1940. She was widowed in 1943 and, sometime before her own death on June 27, 1975, she moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where she lived at the time of her death. The funeral was held at 4pm on June 29 at Hurley’s Chapel in Athens. Burial at Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery followed. |
Killian | W. | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1951 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | According to his obituary, W. H. Killian Sr. died from unknown causes in March 1952. He married Ruth Moon Killian, and the couple had at least three children, William Herty Killian Jr., Archibald Killian, Alfred Killian, and Clarence Killian. He was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; his grave may be unmarked. | |||
Evans | Will | Male | African American | Free | Rail Road Worker | December 31, 1885 | December 31, 1925 | 39 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of William Evans, Will Evans was born around June 25, 1886. He married Julia Evans and, according to his First World War draft card, he supported four children. After the war, he worked on the railroad. On June 8, 1926, he died from [??] and acute endocarditis. The couple had been living at 488 Strong Street. |
Mathews | Oliva | Female | African American | Enslaved | Laundress | December 31, 1919 | 61 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Green | Rudell | Male | African American | Unknown | December 31, 1924 | December 31, 1924 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | ||
Stroud | Baby Ezekiel | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1972 | December 31, 1972 | 0 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Baby Ezekiel L. Stroud was born and died in 1973. | |
Jones | Arthur | Male | African American | Free | Waiter | December 31, 1907 | December 31, 1927 | 19 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Mamie Howell Jones and Brown Jones, Arthur B. Jones was born on May 12, 1908. In 1910, he lived with his parents in Stone Mountain, Georgia. He, then, lived in Fulton, Georgia with his grandparents in 1920. In 1940, his parents lived at 1063 W Hancock Avenue; this may be his last known address as well. He died from myocelitis on February 8, 1928. According to his Death Certificate, he worked as a waiter and was living in Athens, Georgia. |
Walker | Taylor | Male | African American | Enslaved | Farmer | December 31, 1920 | 60 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Brydie | Camilla | Female | African American | Enslaved | Cook | December 31, 1850 | December 31, 1924 | 74 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Loueisa Brown and Jack Jackson, Camilla Jackson Brydie was born on December 12, 1851 and most likely enslaved as a child. In 1871, she married Eugene Brydie and the couple had at least six children: George, Carrie, Eugene, Eddie, Mary, and Mattie. She worked as a laundress in 1900. After become a widow, she worked as a “Cake Baker” in 1910 and a “Baker” in 1920. She died from cerebral apoplexy on November 16, 1925. According to her Death Index, she worked as a cook and lived at 168 Finley Street. |
Davis | Rebekah | Female | African American | Unknown | December 31, 1921 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Rebekah Davis was born in 1832 in Georgia. She was enslaved to Dr. and Mrs. Edward Ware. As a young woman, she married Ned Davis (also enslaved) and the couple had 7 children. Later, at least one of her sons moved to Chicago as a grown man. Three of her sons remained in Athens, and James A. Davis worked as a mail carrier. After the Civil War, she worked as a seamstress. She appears to have learned to read and write in the later years of her life and she was an active member of the First A.M.E. Church. She lived at 179 Strong Street in Athens, Georgia until her death from unknown causes on January 19, 1922. Her obituary, published in the Athens Daily Herald, described her as “one of the oldest citizens of Athens and was the oldest member of the First A. M. E. church.” She was 90 years old. But even after death, the white newspaper remembered her as a ‘faithful slave,’ an element of Lost Cause ideology. “‘Aunt Rebekah’ . . . as a family servant of Dr. and Mrs. Edward Ware, who lived on Hoyt street, during the ante bellum days, and her husband Ned Davis, belonged to Captain John Thomas, and was her personal servant. Ned died many years ago. These darkies were servants in the homes of two of the best known and most aristocratic families of the day, and were well known to many of the white people of the time,” stated the obituary. [Researched and written by Trey Smith] | |||
Nolan | Mary | Female | African American | Free | Cook | December 31, 1877 | December 31, 1947 | 70 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Mary “May” Jackson Nolan was born around 1878. She married Robert Nolan on December 28, 1895 and the couple had at least three children: Edward, Robert, and Eva. In 1930, she worked as a cook and her husband worked as a “yard man.” The family lived at 434 Peabody Street in 1930 and, in 1931, they lived at 167 Peabody Street. According to the 1942 City Directory, At 70 years old, she died from unknown causes on November 9, 1948. |
Heath | Lula | Female | African American | Free | Boarding House | December 31, 1873 | December 31, 1912 | 39 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Lula Shaw Heath was born sometime between 1874 and 1878. In 1910, she ran a boarding house and lived with her husband, Charley Heath, their child, Charley, and two borders at 317 Chase Street. She died from unknown causes on September 15, 1913. |
Haley | Beverly | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1940 | December 31, 1954 | 14 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to her tombstone, Beverly Ann Haley was born in 1941 and died in 1955. | |
Pitman | Carrie | Female | African American | Free | Laundress | December 31, 1919 | 30 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Hurt | Francis | Female | African American | Enslaved | Laborer | December 31, 1919 | 75 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. |