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 ascending Occupation DOB DOD Age Grave Location Grave Marker Biography
[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]
Green Rudell Male African American Unknown December 31, 1924 December 31, 1924 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
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.
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]
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.
Shaw Charles Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
[Carey?] Eddie Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
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]
Wilder Charlie Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked The son of Rachel Wilder and James Wilder, Charlie Wilder was born around 1860. In 1870, the family lived in Madison, Georgia; this is most likely his last known address. He died from unknown causes on an unknown date.
G S Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
[Carey?] Anna Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
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.
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.
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.
Kenney Charlie Male African American Unknown December 31, 1964 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to his tombstone, Charlie Kenney died on August 16, 1965.
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]
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.
Smith D Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Marcellus Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Hawkins Daviet 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.
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.
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.
[Hunter?] Annie Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
H[??] Olivia Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
H. H. Unknown 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.
Edwards 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]
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.
[??] 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.
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 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.
W Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
J. S. Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
[Brydie?] Eugene Male 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.
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.
Stach Family John Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
W J Unknown African American Unknown 77 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
W[??] Unknown African American Unknown December 31, 1931 50 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
[Strickland?] [??] Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
S[??] Emma Female 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.
Blont [J or G?] Unknown African American Unknown December 31, 1942 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]
Stryckland [??] Unknown African American Unknown December 31, 1931 42 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked At 42 years old, [??] Stryckland died on November 20, 1932.
M. W. Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
[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]
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.
[Campbell?] Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Known as "Mother" on her tombstone, she most likely a member of the Campbell family.
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.
Mack Cynthia Female African American Unknown Housework December 31, 1921 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Foster [??] Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Jackson [L.?] Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
[Campbell?] Andrew Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Most likely a member of the Campbell family.
Hill [??] Unknown African American Unknown December 31, 1923 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to the tombstone, [??] W. Hill died from unknown causes in 1924.
Whitelock Martha Female African American Unknown December 31, 1896 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Martha Whitelock died from unknown causes in 1897. She may have been the wife of John Whitelock (or Whittlock), who worked as a laborer and lived at 805 Athens Avenue, according to the 1894 City Directory.
Cannon Sharoy Unknown African American Unknown December 31, 1963 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to the tombstone, Sharoy Cannon died in 1964.
Thoma[??] [??]nno Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
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.
Whitfield Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
[Jackson?] Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Franklin [?] 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.
Pitman Carrie Female African American Free Laundress December 31, 1919 30 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Jameson Shores Male African American Free Driver December 31, 1871 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Shoals Jamison was born around 1872 in Alabama. According to the 1904 City Directory, he worked as a butler and lived at 23 N Findley Street. In 1910, he worked as a coachman and lived with his wife, Ella Jamison, at 193 Pendley Street (193 Finley Street). He died from unknown causes on an unknown date.
Diggs Minnie Female African American Free Teacher December 31, 1995 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked According to her obituary, Minnie Diggs died from unknown causes in 1996. A 1922 graduate from Morris Brown College, she was active as an alumni and a local community member. She was remembered as “a very powerful, strong women; not in stature, but in determination.” She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked.
Morton William Male African American Free 10 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked William Morton died when he was 10 years old. He was the brother of Lizzy C. Morton.
Cole Loucious Male African American Free Driver December 31, 1904 December 31, 1924 20 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.
Smith Rencie Female African American Free Laborer December 31, 1923 56 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Maxwell Charlie Male African American Free December 31, 1971 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked According to his obituary, Charlie Joe Maxwell, who resided at 253 Lyndon Avenue, died from unknown causes on June 12, 1972. The funeral was handled by Mutual Funeral Home. He was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; his grave may be unmarked.
Holbrook Marion Male African American Free Post Office Clerk December 31, 1879 December 31, 1928 49 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Marion J. Holbrook was born on April 14, 1879 or 1880. He married Carrie Jones Holbrook and the couple had at least two children: Marion and Georgia. He worked various jobs in his early years; he was barber in 1900 and a laborer at “Odd Jobs” in 1910. He started working as a post office clerk in 1911, and remained at that position for the remainder of his life. He intentional shot himself and died from two gunshot wounds on May 6, 1929. At the time of his death, he had been living with his wife at 130 Harris Street.
Brittain Will Male African American Free City Worker December 31, 1866 December 31, 1925 57 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked The son of Gabriel Brittain, Will Brittain was born in November 1867 in Georgia. He married Brayne Brittin and the couple may or may not have had children. He died from apoplexy on March 21, 1926 and, at the time of his death, he “worked for the city” at lived at 140 [Glyn?].
Whitlock John Male African American Free Laborer December 31, 1856 December 31, 1916 60 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked John Whitelock (or Whittlock) was born around 1857. According to the 1894 City Directory, worked as a laborer and lived at 805 Athens Avenue. He may have been married to Martha Whitelock. At 60 years old, he died from unknown causes on March 3, 1917.
Malcolm Henrietta Female African American Free Domestic December 31, 1869 December 31, 1935 66 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked The daughter of William Whiles, Henrietta Malcolm was born around 1870. In 1920, she worked as a laundress and rented a home on Reese Street. On February 7, 1936, she died from cerebral apoplexy and acute [??] nephritis. At the time of her death, she was a domestic living at 1125 W Broad Street.
Poole Fay Female African American Free December 31, 1913 December 31, 1918 5 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Jameson Ella Female African American Free Cook December 31, 1888 December 31, 1909 29 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Ella Underwood Jameson was born on July 4, 1881. In 1910, she worked as a cook and lived with her husband, Shoals Jamison, at 193 Pendley Street (193 Finley Street). At 29 years old, she died from unknown causes on June 30, 1910.
Diggs William Male African American Free December 31, 1972 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked According to his obituary, William Diggs, who resided at 357 DuBose Avenue, died from unknown causes on January 27, 1973. The funeral was handled by Mutual Funeral Home. He was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; his grave may be unmarked.
Morton Charlie Male African American Free Soldier December 31, 1894 December 31, 1947 52 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Charlie L. Morton was born on November 17, 1895. At the start of the First World War, he lived at 784 Chase Street. He died from unknown causes on March 12, 1948. After his death, Mrs. Clara Morton applied for a military headstone on his behalf. She lived at 784 Chase Street, which was most likely his last known address as well.
Thomas Ada Female African American Free Domestic December 31, 1902 December 31, 1965 63 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked The daughter of Mary A. Thomas, Ada Kate Thomas was born on September 12, 1903 in Mississippi. In 1910, she attended school and lived with her mother on Water Street. In 1940, she worked as a maid and lived at 187 Third Street. She was still living at that address in 1958. She died from unknown causes on November 4, 1966.
Springs Charlie Male African American Free Drayman December 31, 1918 31 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Derricotte Mathew Male African American Free Laborer December 31, 1899 December 31, 1943 54 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Mathew “Booby” Derricotte was born around 1890. In 1909, he worked as a laborer and lived at 46 Hull Street. He married Lucy Derricotte and, according to the 1942 City Directory, they lived at 270 Fifth Street. He still worked as laborer. At 54 years old, he died from unknown causes on October 28, 1944.
Maxwell Mary Female African American Free December 31, 1969 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked According to her obituary, Mary Brooks Maxwell, who resided at 258 Lyndon Avenue, died from unknown causes on February 21, 1970. She was the mother of Charlie J. Maxwell, Mary T. Maxwell, V. Blanche Moore, Ann S. Teasly, Frederica N. Maxwell, and Lucy V. Johnson. The funeral was handled by McWhorter Funeral Home. He was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; his grave may be unmarked.
Pinkard Amos Male African American Free Grocer December 31, 1888 December 31, 1961 73 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Amos Pinkard was born in 1889. In February 1908, he was charged “for violation of the prohibition law.” He married Nettie Pinkard and, 1940, the couple lived at 264 N Billups Street. According to the 1940 City Directory, he worked as a grocer. He still lived at 264 N Billups Street in 1958. He died from unknown causes on December 16, 1962.
McClure Ida Female African American Free December 31, 1915 December 31, 1920 5 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Griffen Thomas Male African American Free December 31, 1919 26 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.

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