Decedent

Gospel Pilgrim Decedents has a comprehensive list of men, women, and children interred in the cemetery. Using grave markers, obituaries, and death certificates, we have complied a list of individuals buried within the cemetery and, to the extent possible with archival silences, developed short biographies of each persons' life. Some decedents have marked graves, while others do not.

In part, this data is based on an early 2000s GIS survey of the cemetery, which was completed by David Berle, Gail Tarver, Taylor Ladd from the University of Georgia's Horticulture Department. The Athens-Clarke County Death Certificate data was, likewise, transcribed by Leah Richier, an graduate alumni of the University of Georgia's Department of History.

Last Name First Name Gender Race Status Occupation DOB DODsort descending Age Grave Location Grave Marker Biography
Stokely George Male African American Enslaved Laborer December 31, 1920 58 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Washington Leo Male African American Free Student December 31, 1920 13 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.
Stokes Corneilus Female African American Free Laundress December 31, 1920 25 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Watson Myrtie Female African American Free Child December 31, 1920 0 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Johnson La Fayette Male African American Enslaved Drayman December 31, 1855 December 31, 1920 65 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Mcqueen Sam Male African American Enslaved Barber December 31, 1920 72 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Bayne Richard Male African American Enslaved Farmer December 31, 1920 75 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Holmes Mattie Female African American Free Child December 31, 1920 0 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Dunfoy Male African American Free December 31, 1920 0 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Houston Florence Female African American Free Laborer December 31, 1920 21 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Sanders Edward Male African American Free Laborer December 31, 1896 December 31, 1920 24 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked The son of Sarah Coleman and Will Sanders, Edward O. Sanders was born around 1897. In 1910, he lived with his parents on Hull Street and worked as an Ice Cream “Padder.” According to the 1914 City Directory, he worked as a laborer and lived at 270 Arch Street. During the First World War, he served as a private in the 530th Service Battalion. After the war, he married Susie Sanders. He died from heart disease on June 2, 1921. According to his Death Certificate, he worked as a laborer and lived at 149 Piedmont Avenue in Atlanta, Georgia. Richard Sanders, most likely his brother, applied for a military headstone after his death.
Ector Benjiman Male African American Free December 31, 1920 0 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Lyons John Male African American Free Mason December 31, 1920 56 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Stroud Harriet Female African American Enslaved Housework December 31, 1920 90 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Haynes Rachel Female African American Free Student December 31, 1904 December 31, 1920 15 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Jones Margaret Female African American Enslaved Laborer December 31, 1920 87 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Reeves John Male African American Enslaved Gardener December 31, 1920 86 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Booth Richard Male African American Free Laborer December 31, 1920 38 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Jones Robert Male African American Free Railroad Employee December 31, 1920 54 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Wingfield Bertha Female African American Free Housework December 31, 1920 24 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Ector Piety Female African American Free December 31, 1879 December 31, 1921 42 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Teasly Walter Male African American Free Laborer December 31, 1921 34 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Hawkins Lucy Female African American Free Homemaker December 31, 1871 December 31, 1921 50 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Lucy M. Hawkins was born in October 1872. She married David Hawkins, a plasterer, in 1886 and the couple had three children: Peter, Lurean, and Harry. According to the July 21, 1899 edition of The Weekly Banner, she “was . . . called before the mayor. She was changed with scrapping and general disorderly conduct. Not being able to prove her innocence she was fined $2.90.” In 1900, she lived with her husband and children at 732 Oconee Street. According to the 1921 City Directory, she lived at 924 Oconee Street. She died from unknown causes in 1922.
Smith Martha Female African American Enslaved Domestic December 31, 1859 December 31, 1921 62 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked The daughter of Jim Nealy, Martha Smith was born around 1860 in Alabama and most likely enslaved as a child. She married Seboon (or “Siabam”) Smith around 1870 and the couple had at least six children: Inez, Willie, and Samuel. In 1910, she worked as a “sick nurse” and lived with her family on Bertin Street. She died from “cancer return” on May 30, 1922. According to her Death Certificate, she worked as a domestic and lived at 181 Lyndon Avenue.
Robinson Vainiga Female African American Free Student December 31, 1921 6 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Jones Louvenia Female African American Enslaved Laborer December 31, 1851 December 31, 1921 70 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Louvenia Jones was born on March 20, 1852 and most likely enslaved as a child. At some point in her life, she married and had seven children; only five were living in 1900. That same year, she lived with her daughter (Emma Mills) and son-in-law (George Mills) on Franklin Street. According to the 1917 City Directory, she lived at 187 Poplar Street. She died from unknown causes on September 14, 1922.
Fields Lelia Female African American Free Housework December 31, 1921 51 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Browner Richard Male African American Enslaved City Employee December 31, 1921 63 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Nesbitt Sibyl Female African American Free December 31, 1918 December 31, 1921 2 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Scott Magnolia Female African American Free Student December 31, 1921 17 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Jones Georgia Female African American Enslaved Merchant December 31, 1850 December 31, 1921 71 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked The daughter Caroline Foster and Sam Thomas, Georgia Jones was born on February 7, 1849 (or 1851) and most likely spent her early life enslaved. She married John W. Jones, a cook, around 1881 and the couple had three living children. In 1900, they both worked as cooks and owned a house at 360 Broad Street. In 1910, she worked as a grocery store merchant and they rented a house at 563 Broad Street. After her husband’s death in 1917, she lived with her son-in-law (Marion Holbrook) at 522 Broad Street. Later in life she worked as a dressmaker. According to the 1920 City Directory, she lived at 522 Broad Street. She died from mitral regurgitation and nephritis on December 9, 1922.
Menifield Ella Female African American Enslaved Housework December 31, 1921 94 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Stovall Will Male African American Free Blacksmith December 31, 1921 42 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Wilburn Boyd Male African American Free Laborer December 31, 1921 21 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Horton Susie Female African American Free Teacher December 31, 1884 December 31, 1921 37 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked The daughter of Mary Lovinggood, Susie Lovinggood Horton was born around 1885. In 1910, she worked as a “nurse teacher.” She married William J. Horton, a mail carrier, and the couple had at least one child: Ora. In 1920, the family lived at 1327 W Hancock Avenue and she worked as a music teacher. According to the 1921 City Directory, the house address was 1337 W Hancock Street. She died from unknown causes in 1922.
Hawkins Peter Male African American Free Construction December 31, 1921 36 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Odoms Corene Female African American Free December 31, 1921 2 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Stricklyn Mary Female African American Free Laborer December 31, 1921 45 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Bimett Mary Female African American Enslaved Laborer December 31, 1921 70 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Lungkins Elnora Female African American Free December 31, 1912 December 31, 1921 10 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Merriweather Carrie Female African American Free Domestic December 31, 1921 27 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Williams Jim Male African American Enslaved Farmer December 31, 1921 64 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Merriweather Johnnie Male African American Free December 31, 1921 5 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Simmons Harett Female African American Enslaved Laborer December 31, 1921 95 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Hunter Sebe Male African American Free Merchant December 31, 1921 35 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Wales Cassie Female African American Free Laborer December 31, 1921 48 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Wilson Jeorge Male African American Free Laborer December 31, 1921 46 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]
Mack Cynthia Female African American Unknown Housework December 31, 1921 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Miner J. T. Male African American Free December 31, 1920 December 31, 1922 1 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Smith Lizzie Female African American Free Housework December 31, 1922 48 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Wise L. Male African American Free Child December 31, 1922 1 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Edwards Fred Male African American Enslaved Fireman December 31, 1922 62 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Joseph George Male African American Free Child December 31, 1922 December 31, 1922 0 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Terrell George Male African American Free Laborer December 31, 1922 37 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Cox Dick Male African American Enslaved Mill Employee December 31, 1922 64 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Terrell Mannie Female African American Free Housework December 31, 1922 23 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Hill Mamie Female African American Free Domestic December 31, 1880 December 31, 1922 42 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Thomas Alice Female African American Enslaved Cook December 31, 1922 75 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Johnson Flora Female African American Free Domestic December 31, 1922 54 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Hirams Rubin Male African American Free Laborer December 31, 1922 55 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Davis Wm Male African American Enslaved Cotton Worker December 31, 1922 63 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Johnson Herbert Male African American Free December 31, 1922 51 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Powell Major Male African American Free Farmer December 31, 1894 December 31, 1922 28 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Williams Lula Female African American Free Domestic December 31, 1896 December 31, 1922 26 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked The daughter of Roda Calloway and Mark Johnson, Lula Jane Williams was born in August 1897. She married Ed Williams and, in 1920, the couple lived on Lyndon Street. She worked as a cook in 1920. She died from [??] on February 26, 1923. According to her Death Index, she worked as a domestic and lived at 882 Water Street.
Shaw Henry Male African American Free Mason December 31, 1922 36 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Stokley Lizzie Female African American Free Cook December 31, 1873 December 31, 1922 48 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Shaw Warren Male African American Free Presser December 31, 1922 33 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Benford Henry Male African American Free Fireman December 31, 1922 49 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Wiley Serema Female African American Free Seamstress December 31, 1922 49 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Cheney Alex Male African American Free December 31, 1922 34 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Merritte Claud Male African American Free Child December 31, 1922 December 31, 1922 0 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Tompkins Corine Female African American Free Domestic December 31, 1922 24 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Hayes Annie Female African American Free December 31, 1921 December 31, 1922 0 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Lyons Hannah Female African American Free Housework December 31, 1922 56 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Boland Mary Female African American Free Laborer December 31, 1922 49 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Hayes Magnola Female African American Free Housework December 31, 1922 18 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Colbert Guy Male African American Free Student December 31, 1922 18 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Grant Render Male African American Free Chauffer December 31, 1922 23 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Miller Lucy Female African American Free Housework December 31, 1922 52 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Hearel Eddie Male African American Free Laborer December 31, 1922 37 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Patterson Nellie Female African American Free December 31, 1922 0 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Smith Betney Male African American Enslaved Cook December 31, 1922 71 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Lawrence Carrie Female African American Enslaved Domestic December 31, 1849 December 31, 1923 74 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked The daughter of Wiley and Asbury Lawrance, Carrie Lawrence was born in August 1850 and most likely enslaved as a child. In 1880, she worked as a “Washer & Ironer” and lived on Jackson Street. She was a founding member of the Gospel Pilgrim Society. As a widow in 1900, she worked as a “Janitress” and lived at 129 Alley Street. She no longer worked in 1920 and lived in a boarding house on Berry Street. At age 74, she died on December 15, 1924. According to her Death Certificate, she did “housework” and lived at 112 Berry Street.
Jacks Mary Female African American Enslaved Laborer December 31, 1923 70 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Boyd Claura Female African American Free Laborer December 31, 1923 26 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Jackson Hattie Female African American Free Child December 31, 1923 2 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Mongumory Tom Male African American Enslaved Laborer December 31, 1923 60 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Smith Rencie Female African American Free Laborer December 31, 1923 56 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Hill [??] Unknown African American Unknown December 31, 1923 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to the tombstone, [??] W. Hill died from unknown causes in 1924.
Lee Della Female African American Free Laborer December 31, 1923 48 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Mcclusky Julia Female African American Enslaved Housework December 31, 1923 71 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Mcgee Andrew Male African American Free Cook December 31, 1923 43 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Thomas Laura Female African American Free Farmer December 31, 1870 December 31, 1923 52 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Lewis Fannie Female African American Enslaved Teacher December 31, 1923 63 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Martin Jessie Female African American Free Domestic December 31, 1877 December 31, 1923 45 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Jessie Martin was born around 1878. She worked as a domestic and died from apoplexy on December 17, 1924. At the time of her death, she was 50 years old and living at 1055 Prince Avenue.
Holmes Geo. Male African American Free December 31, 1923 0 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Thomas Matt Male African American Enslaved Driver December 31, 1923 60 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.
Dorsey Crock Male African American Enslaved December 31, 1923 80 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Unmarked Data collected from death certificate.

Get in touch

  • Department of History
    220 LeConte Hall, Baldwin Street
    University of Georgia
    Athens, GA 30602-1602
  • 706-542-2053
  • 706-542-2455
  • history@uga.edu

eHistory was founded at the University of Georgia in 2011 by historians Claudio Saunt and Stephen Berry

Learn More about eHistory