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 Statussort descending Occupation DOB DOD Age Grave Location Grave Marker Biography
Witcher Nolia Female African American Free Cook December 31, 1920 29 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Davis J. Male African American Free December 31, 1905 December 31, 1906 0 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked J. W. Davis was the twin son of J. W. and M. C. Davis. He was born on December 5, 1906 and died nine months later, on September 8, 1907. 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. This is most likely their child.
Williams Willie Male African American Free December 31, 1940 December 31, 1962 22 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Willie James Williams was born around 1941. He died from unknown causes on 1963.
Hunter Sebe Male African American Free Merchant December 31, 1921 35 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Billups Burrell Male African American Free Restaurant Owner December 31, 1873 December 31, 1937 61 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Isabelle and John Billups, Burrell W. Billups was born on July 4,1874. In 1911, he was a registered voter living in Athens. He married Janie Billups and the couple had at least two children: Katie and Arabella. He worked as a restaurant owner in 1920 and the family lived at 367 Chase Street. They still resided at that address in 1931 and 1938. He died from P. O. suppurative peritonitis on June 28, 1938.
Small Howard Male African American Free December 31, 1908 December 31, 1972 65 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Howard Small was born April 9, 1909. According to his Second World War Draft Card, he lived in Atlanta, Georgia and his next of kin was Louvenia Guinn, a friend. By 1951, he was living in Seattle, Washington. He died from unknown causes on April 5, 1973.
Colbert Guy Male African American Free Student December 31, 1922 18 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Flanigan Melvin Male African American Free December 31, 1914 December 31, 1976 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked According to his obituary, Melvin Coot Flanigan, who resided at 190 Cleveland Avenue, died from unknown causes in December 1977. The funeral was handled by Hurley Funeral Home. He was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; his grave may be unmarked.
Johnson May Female African American Free Domestic December 31, 1882 December 31, 1960 77 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Maybelle Johnson was born between 1883 and 1884. According to the 1952 City Directory, she worked as a maid and lived at 198 Marlin Street. She died from unknown causes on February 16, 1961.
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.
Terrell Mannie Female African American Free Housework December 31, 1922 23 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Bush Annie Female African American Free December 31, 1895 December 31, 1961 65 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Annie B. Bush was born around 1897. Before 1920, she married Clarence Bush, a grocery store wagon driver. She, herself, worked as a laundress during the 1920s and 1930s. In 1930, she lived with her husband at 850 Broad Street. According to the 1958 City Directory, they remained at that address. Little is known about her adult life and she died from unknown causes on April 14, 1962.
Thomas Susie Female African American Free Cook December 31, 1872 December 31, 1969 97 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked The daughter of Hannah and G. Thomas, Susie Lee Thomas was born around 1873. In 1880, she lived with her parents on Richardson Street and attended school. She married Anderson Thomas and the couple had at least two children. She worked as a laundress in 1910, a farm laborer in 1920, and a cook in 1940. She died from unknown causes in July 1970. According to her funeral notice, she lived at 130 Hickman Drive.
Grant Render Male African American Free Chauffer December 31, 1922 23 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Heard William Male African American Free Blacksmith December 31, 1864 December 31, 1938 74 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked The son of Manerva and Thomas Heard, William Heard was born on February 12,1865 in Elberton, Georgia. Sometime before 1880, the family moved to Athens and he lived with his parents on Market Street. He worked as a “horseler” in 1880 and as a blacksmith in 1900, 1910, and 1920. He married Mattie Heard, a teacher, in 1897 and the couple does not appear to have had living children. He died from acute mitral regurgitation on September 26, 1939. According to his Death Certificate, he worked as a blacksmith and lived at 475 Reese Street.
Harris Marion Male African American Free December 31, 1899 December 31, 1911 11 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to his tombstone, Marion O. Harris was born on September 18, 1900 and died on April 16, 1912. He was only 11 years old at the time of his death.
Moore Robert Male African American Free Child December 31, 1925 1 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Livingston Richard Male African American Free Mail Carrier December 31, 1877 December 31, 1950 73 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Richard Livingston was born in 1878. In 1900, he worked as a mail carrier and boarded at 819 Hill Street. Sometime before 1910, he married Laura Livingston and the couple rented a home at 540 Hancock Avenue. In 1940, the couple owned the home at 540 Hancock Avenue. According to the 1949 City Directory, he reamined at that address. He died from unknown causes in 1951. He was 73 years old.
Porter Susie Female African American Free Laundress Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Susie Bason Porter was born around 1886. She married Walter Porter and the couple appears not to have had living children. In 1930, she worked as a laundress. In 1940, the couple owned a house at 554 Strong Street, according to the 1958 City Directory, they remained at 554 E Strong Street. At 82 years old, she died from unknown causes in 1968.
Blont [J or G?] Unknown African American Unknown December 31, 1942 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Green Rudell Male African American Unknown December 31, 1924 December 31, 1924 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
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]
Blont [Gary?] Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Freeman Bessie Female African American Unknown December 31, 1945 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked According to her obituary, Bessie Samuel Freeman died in October 1946. The funeral was handled by Mack & Payne Funeral Home. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked.
Harris R Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
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.
J. S. Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
McQueen William Male African American Unknown December 31, 1887 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to his tombstone, William McQueen died in 1888. He most likely was the infant son of Nettie and W. M. McQueen, who, according to the 1897 City Directory, lived at 630 Hull Street. He was the sibling of Carrie McQueen and Mamie N. McQueen.
Smith D Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
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]
Wilson Annie Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to her tombstone, Annie Wilson died sometime in April.
[Campbell?] Charles Male African American Unknown Janitor Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Charles Campbell most likely worked as a janitor and was married to Marzella Campbell. According to the 1937 City Directory, they lived at 660 W Hancock Avenue.
[??] Mattie Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Smith Flournoy Unknown African American Unknown Laborer December 31, 1941 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to the 1931 City Directory, Flournoy Smith worked as a labor and lived at 160 Hendrix Avenue. They died from unknown causes on May 6, 1942.
Foster [??] Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
[Campbell?] Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Known as "Mother" on her tombstone, she most likely a member of the Campbell family.
[Campbell?] Andrew Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Most likely a member of the Campbell family.
Cannon Sharoy Unknown African American Unknown December 31, 1963 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to the tombstone, Sharoy Cannon died in 1964.
Franklin [?] Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Mi[??] Mamie Female African American Unknown 70 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to her tombstone, Mamie Mi[??] died on October 31, [19??]. She was 70 years old at the time of her death.
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.
[Carey?] Floarey Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Au[??] Ned Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
[Carey?] Eddie Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
[??] Barbara Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Barbara [M??] [??] is believed to be buried in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery. Little is known about her life.
Smith Julia Female African American Unknown December 31, 1939 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Julie E. Smith died on July 11, 1940. She is buried alongside Winnie Moore.
G S Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
[Carey?] Clara Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
W Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
M. W. Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Jane Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Jane is believed to be buried in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery. Little is known about her life.
[Carey?] Anna Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
W Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
B[??] Gar[?]le Unknown African American Unknown 37 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
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.
Stach Family John Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Mack Cynthia Female African American Unknown Housework December 31, 1921 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
W J Unknown African American Unknown 77 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
B. W. Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Jackson [L.?] Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
W[??] Unknown African American Unknown December 31, 1931 50 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Hill [??] Unknown African American Unknown December 31, 1923 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to the tombstone, [??] W. Hill died from unknown causes in 1924.
Hiram Hary Male African American Unknown Farmer December 31, 1927 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Harry Hiram most likely lived at 164 Herring Street and worked as a farmer in 1912. According to his tombstone, he died from unknown causes on October 30, 1928.
S[??] Emma Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
[Jackson?] Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
[Strickland?] [??] Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Green Unknown African American Unknown December 31, 1934 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to the tombstone, [??] Green died on [August?] 4, 1935.
Brown Eliza Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Terrell Charles Male African American Unknown December 31, 1933 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Charles Terrell Jr. was born around 1916. His parents, Charles Terrell and Julia Stuts, were both Athens natives. His father, “Chas” Terrell was noted to be a carpenter before his son was born, being listed along with his wife Julia in a 1912 Athens, GA directory living at 347 First Street. In the 1931 directory, however, “Chas” Terrell is said to be a cook, living on 389 Meigs St. On October 6, 1934, Terrell Jr.’s life was cut short after passing away at a tender age of 18 while he was still a schoolboy. The place of death is recorded to be 376 Odd Street. The cause of death was noted to be an acute dilatation of the heart, or nowadays known as dilated cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle), with contributary causes of importance being listed as fever and overexertion. He was buried five days later in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery on October 11, 1934 with his family in attendance. [Researched and written by Bita Jadali]
Holsey [??] Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Marcellus 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.
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.
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.
H[??] Olivia Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
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.
Thoma[??] [??]nno Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
H. H. Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
[Jones?] [??]mar Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Whitfield Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Edwards Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Johnson William Male African American Unknown Reverend December 31, 1841 December 31, 1908 67 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked William D. Johnson was born in Maryland on March 19, 1842. In 1879, he married Alice V. Johnson of Georgia. The couple had at least five children. As a clergyman, Johnson could read, write, and owned his own house at 529 Lumpkin Street. He died from unknown causes on April 10, 1909.
Ha[??] Mamie Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Kenney Charlie Male African American Unknown December 31, 1964 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to his tombstone, Charlie Kenney died on August 16, 1965.
Collins Male African American Unknown Reverend December 31, 1893 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to his tombstone, Reverend Collins died in 1894.
L. C. Unknown African American Unknown December 31, 1888 December 31, 1890 2 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to the child’s tombstone, C. H. L. died on October 14, 1891. The child only lived 2 years, 4 months, and 7 days.
Shaw Charles Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Collins Female African American Unknown December 31, 1917 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to her tombstone, this female member of the Collins family died in 1918. She was most likely married to Reverend Collins, who preceded her in death in 1894.
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.
[Brydie?] Eugene Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Hawkins Daviet Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
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.
[Hunter?] Annie Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
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.
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.

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