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
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]
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.
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.
[Brydie?] Eugene 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.
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.
Jackson [L.?] Unknown African American Unknown 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.
[Jackson?] 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.
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.
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.
Harris R Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Holsey [??] Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
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.
[Jones?] [??]mar 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.
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.
Franklin [?] Unknown 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.
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.
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.
[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]
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]
[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]
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]
[Hunter?] Annie Female 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]
B. W. 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]
S[??] Emma Female 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.
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]
Brown Eliza Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
J. S. Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Marcellus Male 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.
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.
Mack Cynthia Female African American Unknown Housework December 31, 1921 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
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]
Whitfield Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Edwards 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.
Jackson Sweetie Female African American Free December 31, 1874 December 31, 1934 59 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Sweetie Poulain Jackson was born on November 15, 1875. She married Thomas Jackson, a miller, and the couple had at least seven children: Farris, Thomas, Burnett, Babe, Samuel, and Lloyd. In 1910, the family rented a house on Cleveland Avenue. According to 1931 City Directory, she and her husband lived at 133 Cleveland Avenue. At 59 years old, she died from unknown causes on July 17, 1935.
Bates William Male African American Free Farmer December 31, 1864 December 31, 1941 77 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked The son of Kissey Bates, William Bates was born around 1865. His first wife, Marie Bates, died sometime before 1920. In the 1920s and 1930s, he worked as a farmer near the Princeton Factory in Clarke County, Georgia. By 1940, he had remarried 44 year-old Alice Bates and they lived at 1537 W Broad Street. At that time, he did not work and she worked as a laundress. He died on March 6, 1942; he was around 77 years of age.
Fortson Jim Male African American Free December 31, 1919 0 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Evans Will Male African American Free Rail Road Worker December 31, 1885 December 31, 1925 39 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked The son of William Evans, Will Evans was born around June 25, 1886. He married Julia Evans and, according to his First World War draft card, he supported four children. After the war, he worked on the railroad. On June 8, 1926, he died from [??] and acute endocarditis. The couple had been living at 488 Strong Street.
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.
Pitman Carrie Female African American Free Laundress December 31, 1919 30 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Warrick Anges Female African American Free December 31, 1969 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Agnes (Aremita) Heard Warrick was born in Athens, Georgia on October 13, 1897. On March 1, 1927, she married Ronald M. Warrick. At age 72, Warrick died on January 15, 1970 and was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery in Athens, Georgia. Her last known residence was in Fort Pierce, Saint Lucie, Florida. [Researched and written by Taliesin Utz]
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.
Holbrooks Rosa Female African American Free December 31, 1919 0 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.
Haley Beverly Female African American Free December 31, 1940 December 31, 1954 14 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to her tombstone, Beverly Ann Haley was born in 1941 and died in 1955.
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.
Smith Rencie Female African American Free Laborer December 31, 1923 56 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Buedon Ora Male African American Free Gardener December 31, 1920 December 31, 1920 0 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
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.
Collins Isaac Male African American Free Janitor December 31, 1879 December 31, 1926 47 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Isaac Collins was born on February 10, 1880. Around 1905, He married Lizzie Collins and the couple had at least two children: Mary and Jeffrey. In 1910, he worked as a “Bill Poster” in the “Bulletin Boards” industry. According to the 1920 Census, he worked as a janitor and lived at 195 Billups Street. He died from unknown causes on February 10, 1927.
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.
Johnson Louise Female African American Free December 31, 1961 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked According to her obituary, Louise Johnson died from unknown causes in September 1962. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked.
Jackson Albon Male African American Free Doctor December 31, 1900 December 31, 1940 40 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked The son of Sweetie Poulain Jackson and Thomas Nathaniel Jackson, Albon Louis Jackson was born on February 17, 1901. As a 17 year old, he attended school and lived with his parents at 133 Cleveland Avenue. In 1917, he graduated from Knox Institute and then attended Dartmouth College, Meharry Medical College, and the University of Illinois School of Medicine. For a time, he lived and practiced medicine in Albion, Michigan and Chicago, Illinois. “He returned to Athens, his hometown, where he was able to take up much of the practice of his two brothers, the late Doctors Thomas N. and Farris L. Jackson.” In 1937, he and his wife, Katie, lived at 133 Cleveland Avenue. According to Atlanta Daily World (Apr 23, 1941), “Dr. Jackson was active in civic and fraternal groups. A member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, he bears the distinction of fostering many of the Alpha projects in cities where he has lived. His friendly smile and cheerful disposition won for him many friends. He is survived by a wife, father, three brother, Dr. Samuel Jackson, dentist, Athens; Dr. B. L. Jackson, dentist, Tuskegee Institute, Lloyd Jackson undertaker of Athens; cousin and a host of friends to mourn his passing.” He died from unknown causes on April 21, 1941.
Walker William Male African American Free Drayman December 31, 1919 36 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Foster Jos. Male African American Free Laborer December 31, 1918 19 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Favors Ada Female African American Free Laundress December 31, 1884 December 31, 1926 42 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked The daughter of Cynthia and Thomas Favors, Ada B. Favors was born around 1885. At 16 years old, she worked as a laundress and lived with her parents at 609 Lumpkin Street. By 1920, the family had moved to Billups Street. According to the 1926 City Directory, her parents lived at 148 Pearl Street--she most likely lived with her parents at this time. She died from unknown causes in 1927.
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.

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