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
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.
Heard	Lizzie	Female	African American	Free		December 31, 1894	December 31, 1957	63	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Lizzie Dorsey Heard was born around December 25, 1880 or 1895 (according to the Death Index). She most likely married Hill Heard, a farmer, and, according to the 1926 City Directory, they lived at 275 Field [Rd? St? Av?]. She died from unknown causes July 31, 1958. She was around 63 years old.
Fields	Bell	Female	African American	Free	Cook	December 31, 1881	December 31, 1926	45	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Owens	Pearl	Female	African American	Free	Cook	December 31, 1884	December 31, 1918	34	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The daughter of Isabelle Owens, Pearl Owens was born around March 25, 1885. In 1900, she worked as a day laborer and, in 1910, she was a waste picker at the cotton mill. She was arrested with her mother, sister, and two other women for “creating a disturbance” in 1915. She lived at 228 Cleveland Avenue in 1910 and obtained a piece of property on Flynt Street in 1915. According to the 1916 City Directory, she worked as a cook and lived at 228 Cleveland Avenue. She died from unknown causes on January 10, 1919.
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.
Thomas	Margret	Female	African American	Enslaved	Cook		December 31, 1919	80	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Boyd	Mirtie	Female	African American	Enslaved	Seamstress	December 31, 1843	December 31, 1894	51	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Mirtie or Minta Boyd (spelling varies) was born on June 9, 1844 and most likely enslaved as a young woman. According to the 1881 City Directory, she worked as a seamstress and lived at 1019 W Hancock Avenue. At 51 years old, she died on September 18, 1895.
Whitehead	Carrie	Female	African American	Free	Laborer	December 31, 1878	December 31, 1927	49	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Carried A. Whitehead was born on March 2, 1879. In 1910, she was divorced and worked as a laborer. She married Reese Brown on November 25, 1917. According to the 1923 City Directory, she lived with her husband at 151 Strickland Street. She died from unknown causes on November 27, 1928.
Foster	[??]	Unknown	African American	Unknown					Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	[biographical information unknown]
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]
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.
Nesbrit	Hellen	Female	African American	Enslaved	Cook		December 31, 1919	70	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.
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.
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.
[Campbell?]		Female	African American	Unknown					Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Known as "Mother" on her tombstone, she most likely a member of the Campbell family.
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.
Harris	Millie	Female	African American	Free	Laundress	December 31, 1894	December 31, 1911	17	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	According to her tombstone, Millie Harris was born around 1895. According to the 1909 City Directory, she worked as a laundress and lived at 197 Bridge Street. She died from unkonow causes on September 16, 1912.
Brewer	[??]	Female	African American	Free		December 31, 1904	December 31, 1920	0	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
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.
Shaw	Henry	Male	African American	Free	Mason		December 31, 1922	36	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Adams	Mentie	Female	African American	Enslaved	Wife	December 31, 1854	December 31, 1902	46	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Mentie Adams was born around 1855 and most likely enslaved as a child. Even so, according to the 1900 Census, she could both read and write. In 1875, she married John H. Adams, who worked as a “Presser” in Athens. The couple had five children, but only four—John, William, Mentie, and David—lived to adulthood. In 1900, the family lived at 272 Attica Avenue. Adams died from unknown causes on March 31, 1903. She was 46yrs, 7mons, 11 days old. According to the 1904 City Directory—published only a year after her death—John Adams lived at 1020 W Hancock Avenue; this is most likely her last known address.
Lawrence	Orrin	Male	African American	Enslaved			December 31, 1920	82	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
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.
Deadwyler	Mattie	Female	African American	Enslaved	Cook	December 31, 1851	December 31, 1938	86	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Mattie Deadwyler was born around 1852 and most likely enslaved as a child. In 1870, she worked as a domestic servant and lived in Elbert, Georgia. She moved to Athens sometime before 1900, and, at that time, lived with her two daughters (Mary and Martha) and a granddaughter (Gertrude) at 410 Reese Street. According to the 1900, 1910, 1920 Census, she worked as a cook. In 1930, she no longer worked and lived at 600 W Broad Street. She remained at this address, according to the 1938 City Directory. She died from unknown causes on January 4, 1939.
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.
Fields	Jno.	Male	African American	Free	Cotton Worker		December 31, 1918	35	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Owens	Jesse	Male	African American	Free	Laborer		December 31, 1929		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Jesse Owens served as a private in the 403 Labor Battalion during the First World War. In 1926, he worked as a laborer and lived on Water Street. He most likely married Flora Owens, who lived at 240 Newton Street. According to the 1928 City Directory, the couple lived at 2402 Newton Street and he worked as a laborer. He died from unknown causes on August 23, 1930.
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.
Thomas	Matt	Male	African American	Enslaved	Driver		December 31, 1923	60	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Boyd	Thad	Male	African American	Enslaved	Shoemaker	December 31, 1847	December 31, 1903	56	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Thaddeus "Thad" Boyd was born sometime between 1842 and 1848 and most likely spent his childhood and youth enslaved. As a freeman, he worked as a shoemaker in Athens. He married Araminta Boyd and had at least six children: William, Carrie, Thad Jr., Nannie, Eulessis [Ulysses?], and Mary Lou. By 1900, he was widowed and living at 1019 W Hancock Avenue. He died from unknown causes on November 15, 1904.
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.
Foster	Emma	Female	African American	Enslaved	Wife	December 31, 1859	December 31, 1948	88	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The daughter of Eliza and George Shropshire, Emma Shropshire Foster was born on May 20, 1860 and most likely enslaved as a child. In 1870, she lived with her parents and attended school in Athens. She married Robert Foster and, in 1880, she was “keeping house.” The couple had six children, including William, Robert, and John. In 1920, as a widow, she lived “South Athens Town Athens to Whitehall Road Runing South East.” By 1930, her address was listed as “Milledge Extension.” In 1940, she lived at 195 Milledge Avenue. She died from unknown causes on January 6, 1949.
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.
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.
Newsome	Susie	Female	African American	Enslaved	Cook	December 31, 1860	December 31, 1926	66	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.
Scruggs	Viola	Female	African American	Free	Cook	December 31, 1885	December 31, 1925	30	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Viola Scruggs was born on June 15, 1886. She married Ellie Scruggs, a railroad fireman. In 1910, she worked as cook and lived with her husband and sister on Pearl Street. In 1926, she lived at 447 Third Street. At 30 years old, she died from unknown causes on December 5, 1926.
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.
[Campbell?]	Andrew	Male	African American	Unknown					Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Most likely a member of the Campbell family.
Colbert	Mary	Female	African American	Free	Nurse		December 31, 1946		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	According to her obituary, Mrs. Mary J. Colbert, the mother of Mrs. Mamie Harden and a “veteran nurse civic and religious leader,” died from unknown causes in November 1947. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave is unmarked.
Bridy	Camilla	Female	African American	Enslaved	Cook		December 31, 1924	74	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
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.
Shaw	Warren	Male	African American	Free	Presser		December 31, 1922	33	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Alexander	Minnie	Female	African American	Free	Insurance Agent	December 31, 1892	December 31, 1947	55	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Minnie L. Alexander was born in Florida sometime between 1892 and 1895. She completed three years of high school. She married George Alexander, a local postman, and they had at least one daughter, Selma Alexander. According to the 1930 Census, the couple owned their own home at 239 Finely Street valued at $2,000. She was active in the Athens community as a member of the “Colored Missionary Workers.” Over the course of her lifetime, she worked as “Life Insurance Agent” and “Proprietor.” Alexander, in her mid-fifties, died from unknown causes on December 6, 1948.
Lee	Della	Female	African American	Free	Laborer		December 31, 1923	48	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Thoma[??]	[??]nno	Unknown	African American	Unknown					Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	[biographical information unknown]
Deadwyler	Mary	Female	African American	Free	Cook	December 31, 1892	December 31, 1962	69	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The daughter of Mattie Deadwyler, Mary Deadwyler was born in 1893. In 1900, she lived with her mother, sister (Martha), and a niece (Gertrude) at 410 Reese Street. She worked as a house maid in 1900, a maid at a hotel in 1910 and as a cook in 1920 and 1930. In 1930, she was a widow living with her mother, sister, and brother-in-law at 600 W Broad Street. According to the 1958 City Directory, she lived at 817 Waddell Street. She died from unknown causes on February 12, 1963.
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.
Fields	Lelia	Female	African American	Free	Housework		December 31, 1921	51	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
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.
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.
Thomas	Orrie	Female	African American	Free	Cook	December 31, 1867	December 31, 1923	56	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Brewer	Dennis	Male	African American	Free	Laborer	December 31, 1898	December 31, 1927	29	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Georgia and Albert Brewer, Dennis Brewer was born on April 28, 1899. In 1920, he lived with his parents and worked as a laborer. According to the 1921 City Directory, he still worked as a laborer and lived at 1018 Pope Street. By 1924, he lived at 986 Water Street. He died at 29 years old on October 25, 1928.
Whitfield		Unknown	African American	Unknown					Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	[biographical information unknown]
Foster	Robert	Male	African American	Enslaved	Farmer	December 31, 1852	December 31, 1917	65	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Nice and Lee Foster, Robert H. Foster was born around 1853 and most likely enslaved as a child. In 1870, he worked as a farm laborer and lived with his parents. He married Emma Foster and the couple had at least three children: Ella, William, Robert, and John. He worked as a farmer in 1880 and 1910; he lived outside of town near “Allensville and Wherele Hall Road” In 1918, he and his son were accused of “desecrating the United States Flag,” but were both acquitted of the crime. He died from unknown causes on September 3, 1918.
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]
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.
Norman	John	Male	African American	Enslaved	Laborer		December 31, 1923	68	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.
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.
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.
Cannon	Sharoy	Unknown	African American	Unknown			December 31, 1963		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	According to the tombstone, Sharoy Cannon died in 1964.
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.
Brittin	George	Male	African American	Free	Carpenter		December 31, 1925	50	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.
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
Shaw	Will	Male	African American	Free	Chauffer		December 31, 1926	38	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Allen	Owen	Male	African American	Enslaved	Laborer	December 31, 1828	December 31, 1899	71	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Owen Allen was born in December 1829 and most likely enslaved as a child and young adult. He married Margaret Allen and the couple had at least five children—Hopy, Albert, Henry, Nancy, and Margaret. In 1870, he worked as a “Day Laborer” and, in 1880, as a "farmer." According to the 1889 City Directory, he worked as a blacksmith at 907 S Lumpkin Street and lived in Allensville. He died, at 71 years of age, on December 28, 1900.
Lewis	Ellen	Female	African American	Free	Housework		December 31, 1920	55	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
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.
Derricotte	Annie	Female	African American	Free	Domestic	December 31, 1883	December 31, 1928	44	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The daughter of Lula Lee and Charlie Shaw, Annie Bell Derricotte was born on August 28, 1884. She died from lung pneumonia on December 14, 1929. According to her tombstone, she was the “wife of J.W. Derricotte.” She worked as a domestic and lived at 157 Warsaw Street, according to her Death Certificate.
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.
Ford	Malinda	Female	African American	Free	Farmer		December 31, 1920	55	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
[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.”
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.
Thomas	Palace	Female	African American	Enslaved	Housework		December 31, 1924	71	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Brewer	Gladys	Female	African American	Free	Teacher	December 31, 1896	December 31, 1971	75	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Gladys H. Brewer was born around 1897. She graduate college and worked as a teacher in Athens. She married Manis Brewer, a chauffeur, and the couple rented a home at 270 Chase Street in 1940. She died from unknown causes in 1972. At the time of her death, she lived at 223 North Billups Street in Athens.
Whitfield	W.	Male	African American	Free	Blacksmith	December 31, 1864	December 31, 1938	74	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	W. M. Whitfield was born on April 18, 1865. According to the 1938 City Directory, he worked as a blacksmith and lived with his wife, Mittie, at 495 Reese Street. At 74 years old, he died from unknown causes on June 13, 1939.
Franklin	[?]	Unknown	African American	Unknown					Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	[biographical information unknown]
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]
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.
Odoms	Corene	Female	African American	Free			December 31, 1921	2	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.
Shanks	Otis	Male	African American	Free	Laborer	December 31, 1891	December 31, 1956	65	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Otis Shanks was born around 1892 in Thompson, Georgia. In 1916, he “was arraigned on a charge of disorderly conduct and his cash bond was forfeited.” According to his First World War Draft Card, he worked as a truck hand for Southern Railroad and lived at 499 River Street. During the war, he served stateside in the 157 Depot Brigade at Camp Gordon. After the war, he married Christine C. Shanks. He worked as a laborer at the gas plant in 1930 and a “helper” in 1940. According to the 1952 City Directory, he worked as plant operator at Atlanta Gas Light and lived at 139 N Newton Street. At 65 years old, he died from unknown causes on June 19, 1957. After his death, his wife applied for a military headstone.
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.
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.
Buedon	Ora	Male	African American	Free	Gardener	December 31, 1920	December 31, 1920	0	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
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.
Shenault	Carrie	Female	African American	Free	Housework		December 31, 1919	53	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Au[??]	Ned	Male	African American	Unknown					Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	[biographical information unknown]
Lewis	Fannie	Female	African American	Enslaved	Teacher		December 31, 1923	63	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Thomas	Katie	Female	African American	Free	Domestic	December 31, 1897	December 31, 1975	78	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The daughter of Laura and Eugene Thomas, Katie C. Thomas was born around 1898. In 1910, she attended school and lived with her parents and siblings at 1248 W Broad Street. She did not work in 1920. In 1940, she worked as a maid and lived on Flint Street. According to the 1958City Directory, she lived at 748 N Hull Street. She died from unknown causes in 1976.
Derricotte	Charlotte	Female	African American	Enslaved	Domestic	December 31, 1862	December 31, 1926	64	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The daughter of Lucy Dodson and Andrew Jackson, Charlotte L. Derricotte was born on May 12, 1863 and most likely enslaved as an infant. In 1882, she married Edward J. Derricotte and the couple had at least four children: Ophelia, Edward Jr., Tom, and Andrew. She worked as a house maid in Athens in 1900 and as a laundress in Massachusetts in 1910. At 64 years old, she died from arteriosclerosis and myocarditis on November 5, 1927. According to the Death Index, she had been living in Everett, Massachusetts and employed as a caterer.
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.
Fortson	Jim	Male	African American	Free			December 31, 1919	0	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Pinckney	Hopie	Female	African American	Enslaved	Boarding	December 31, 1811	December 31, 1887	76	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Hopie Pinckey was born on May 18, 1812. She was enslaved to Mr. A. Hull of Athens. In 1860, someone attempted to burn down her dwelling, but she escaped the fire. According to the 1880 Census, she was married, worked as day boarder, and lived alone on Melchior Street. At 76 years of age, she died from unknown causes on July 7, 1888.
Lyons	Collins	Male	African American	Free		December 31, 1913	December 31, 1915	2	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	According to his tombstone, Collins T. Lyons was born on June 17, 1914 and died on August 7, 1916. He was 2 years and 1 month old.
Tompkins	Corine	Female	African American	Free	Domestic		December 31, 1922	24	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.

Decedent

Get in touch