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
Richards J. Male African American Free Reverend December 31, 1920 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
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.
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.
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.
Terrell Mannie Female African American Free Housework December 31, 1922 23 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
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.
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.
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.
Harris Will Male African American Free Shoemaker December 31, 1925 41 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.
Moore Robert Male African American Free Child December 31, 1925 1 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.
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.
Barnett William Male African American Free Driver December 31, 1887 December 31, 1919 38 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.
[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.”
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.
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.
Blont [J or G?] Unknown African American Unknown December 31, 1942 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.
Shaw Charles Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Harris R Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Blont [Gary?] Male 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]
M. W. Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
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.
[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]
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.
[Campbell?] Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Known as "Mother" on her tombstone, she most likely a member of the Campbell family.
Foster [??] 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.
Hill [??] Unknown African American Unknown December 31, 1923 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to the tombstone, [??] W. Hill died from unknown causes in 1924.
Jackson [L.?] Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Cannon Sharoy Unknown African American Unknown December 31, 1963 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to the tombstone, Sharoy Cannon died in 1964.
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.
[Jackson?] Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Franklin [?] Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
[Carey?] Floarey Unknown 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]
Au[??] Ned Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
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?] Eddie 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.
Holsey [??] Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
[Carey?] Clara Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Smith D Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
G S Unknown 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.
[Carey?] Anna Female 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.
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.
B[??] Gar[?]le Unknown African American Unknown 37 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
B. W. Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
[Jones?] [??]mar 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.
Kenney Charlie Male African American Unknown December 31, 1964 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to his tombstone, Charlie Kenney died on August 16, 1965.
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.
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.
Brown Eliza Female 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.
Marcellus Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
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.
Hawkins Daviet Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
W Unknown African American Unknown 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.
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.
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.
Stach Family John Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
[Hunter?] Annie Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
W J Unknown African American Unknown 77 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
H[??] Olivia Female 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]
H. H. Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
S[??] Emma Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Ha[??] Mamie Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Collins Male African American Unknown Reverend December 31, 1893 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to his tombstone, Reverend Collins died in 1894.
[Strickland?] [??] Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
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.
Edwards Female African American Unknown 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]
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.
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.
Stryckland [??] Unknown African American Unknown December 31, 1931 42 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked At 42 years old, [??] Stryckland died on November 20, 1932.
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.
[Brydie?] Eugene Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
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.
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]
Whitfield Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]

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