Tag Archives: Eldren Bailey Headstones

Union Cemetery, Ben Hill County

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This monument of a young woman marks a grave, but there is no readable information that would identify the decedent.

I first published the above photo, of a monument at Union Cemetery, on 11 November 2008. This new post replaces and expands that. Even before I became fascinated by historic Black cemeteries, Union Cemetery was a favorite location in my home county. The cemetery is associated with the nearby Union Baptist Church, a Freedmen’s congregation. These images are presented in no particular order, but are rather meant to illustrate the variety of memorials.

Joe Conner (Unknown-12 January 1940)

This memorial was the work of the prolific Eldren Bailey, whose headstones can be found throughout the state. It was purchased through the Murdaugh Funeral Home.

Bessie Durham (3 Feb 1895-July 1896)

Bessie was the daughter of Harry Durham and Mollie Durham. They are buried elsewhere.

Robert McDuffie (3 May 1866-19 February 1906)

Robert was the son of Robert McDuffie, Sr. (1835-unknown) and Annie Dixon McDuffie Walker (1874-1952).

Elsie L. Walker (24 January 1934-13 June 1947)

This statue has been in bad condition for many years, and lost its head at some point. Still, it’s a poignant memorial.

Pauline McDuffie Walker (Birth and death dates unknown)

Mrs. Walker was the wife of George Walker, and was 24 at the time of her death. A barely readable lodge association is also noted on the memorial: Love of Honor Court No. 484, O. O. C., Dorminy’s Mill, Georgia.

George Walker (15 August 1861-27 July 1944)

Unfortunately, this nice vernacular headstone has been damaged. There are at least two, perhaps three, men named George Walker buried at Union Cemetery.

Ella F. Mitchell (1857-3 October 1917)

Mrs. Mitchell was the wife of Neazer N. Mitchell.

Lewis E. Mitchell (15 March 1879-7 November 1903)

Mr. Mitchell was the son of Neazer N. and Ella F. Mitchell. He was a Mason.

Nellie Hunter (1871-1902)

Mrs. Hunter was the wife of H. E. Hunter.

Washington Hammons (1883-5 November 1904)

Mr. Hammons was the son of Susan Campbell.

Floyd Walker (5 February 1895-22 December 1955)

Mr. Walker was a Private in Co. K., 810th Pioneer Infantry in World War I.

Lynwood Shavers (1921-1982)

Mr. Shavers was a Technician 5th Grade (TEC 5) in the Army during World War II.

Rev. John Arthur Simmons (8 May 1877-23 September 196?)

Rev. Simmons was a pastor of Union Baptist Church, I believe.

James T. Thomas (7 January 1920-22 October 2011) and Mary V. Thomas (13 February 1927-25 June 2016)

I believe James T. Thomas was the pastor at Union Baptist Church for many years. If so, I remember him fondly from his job at Wal-Mart, where he was well-loved by all. He worked well into his eighties, if my recollection is correct.

As with most rural cemeteries, Union gets overgrown from time to time, but is generally well maintained.

Sandy Grove AME Church, 1911 + Sandy Grove School, Warren County

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Sandy Grove AME is of the “two-tower” style, once common among Black churches in Georgia.

Sandy Grove AME was organized by freedmen circa 1875, and as its name would imply, held its first meetings in a grove, or brush arbor as it is more commonly referred to in Georgia. They had an early association with Johnson Grove Methodist Church but acquired this property in 1875 and established their own congregation. They eventually built a small frame church, which was replaced with this structure in 1911.

Church interior

The church was a symbol of pride for the Black community in Warren County and architecturally, is perhaps the most significant remnant of a history that hasn’t yet been fully documented. The congregation held on for as long as it could but faced the same challenges affecting rural churches all over the country.

Sandy Grove School

Sandy Grove believed in the power of literacy and education, and like many rural Black congregations, they built their own school to educate as many children as they could. County-operated schools for African-Americans at the time were substandard at best and churches took up the slack.

Schoolhouse interior

These resources are among the most endangered in Georgia and it is sad to see them forgotten.

Church and school

Roof damage has created a permanent threat to the church building and its impacts may be irreparable. It is a real shame to see this important structure in this condition.

Sandy Grove AME Cemetery, Warren County

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I’m posting the Sandy Grove AME Cemetery separate from the church and schoolhouse, due to the number of images. Like many rural cemeteries, it is kept up as best it can be. Small rural congregations of all races have dwindled greatly in the last generation, presenting a major challenge to the upkeep and survival of these landmarks. Cemeteries are avoided by many people. I consider them not only sacred spaces for obvious reasons, but works of art that invite quite contemplation.

Wilmon Shurley (1905-1983)

The memorials in Sandy Grove represent a variety of styles, from vernacular to commercial. These are presented in no particular order.

Wesley Rogers (1858-1924)

It’s highly likely that Mr. Rogers was born into slavery. Simple memorials like his are the most vulnerable to the elements and should all be documented.

William H. Brown (?-1945) and Fannie H. Brown (?-1943)

There are a number of commercial memorials in Sandy Grove, as well. This example notes when Mr. and Mrs. Brown passed, but I didn’t locate either of their birth dates.

Dawson Rivers (1838-1924) and Francis “Fannie” Aldridge Rivers (1849-1932)

Dawson and Fannie Rivers were both from mixed racial backgrounds and were prominent members of Sandy Grove. They had 14 children.

Nancy Francis Neely (1889-1918)

Memorials of this type are commonly found in rural cemeteries, and I enjoy documenting them. They add symbolic images to otherwise simple stenciled markers and are thus surrogates for the more costly commercial markers.

Lovie Ruff (1886-1917)

Sometimes, the names of those honored are their most fascinating legacy.

Benjamin Walker (1918-1918)

The lamb is often used on children’s gravestones.

D. C. Rogers (1915-1975) – Memorial by Eldren Bailey

I always document the work of Eldren Bailey when I find it. This and the next example were acquired through the Dawson Funeral Home.

Henry C. Murray (1916-1973) – Memorial by Eldren Bailey

Funeral homes acted as agents for Mr. Bailey’s work, I understand, and as a result various names appear on these iconic memorials.

Louise Howard (1876-1942)

The concrete markers with stenciled text are among the most commonly found types in many rural cemeteries. A sentiment is often added. On Mrs. Howard’s, it is: “Death is the Crown of Life”.

Willie Howard (1874-1953)

Mr. Howard’s epitaph is informative: “Servant of God 38 Years”.

Mary D. Rivers (1882-1947)

Mrs. Rivers’s memorial is quite typical, in contrast to her husband’s (below).

John Rivers (1871-1939)

Mr. Rivers’s headstone incorporates a triangle enclosing a mosaic of green and brown glass shards. Triangles can represent the Trinity in Christianity but also have Masonic connections. It’s impossible to discern from this photograph, but there is a small circle inside the triangle with rays radiating from its center. This may represent the Eye of God.

Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, Hancock County

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Mt. Zion’s historic cemetery is quite large and situated on hilly terrain. There is a nice variety of memorials, including many modern commercial types, but mixed among them are quite a few vernacular types, including these local granite stones. The names of the decedents are long lost.

Jeff Mapp (1900-1973)

This is one of several markers by Eldren Bailey found in Mt. Zion. This one has been painted white and was purchased through the Houston Funeral Home.

Willis James

I believe this is a child’s grave, since it identifies the decedent as “Master”. This term is commonly used with children. Like many memorials by Eldren Bailey, this one has been “buried” a few inches into the ground.

Louise Hillman

This Elden Bailey-produced memorial was sold through Atlanta’s Haugabrooks Funeral Home.

Deacon Lueagon Elbert Moss (1873-1958) and Mariah Moss (1872-1959) + Arthur Moss

The memorial for Deacon & Mrs. Moss is typical of the stenciled concrete markers found in the older sections of the cemetery. Arthur Moss may have been one of their children. His memorial is hand made.

Caroline Barrow ((1850?-1901)

This one of several older commercial marble memorials in the cemetery.

Robert Lee Bennett (1950-1970)

This handmade memorial is bordered with small rocks or pebbles. I believe there was something attached where the hole is now.

Cyrus Howell (1878-1956) Findagrave lists 1874 as the birthdate, but I think that is an error.

Mr. Howell was the oldest deacon at Mt. Zion at the time of his death.

Addie Lawrence (Dates undetermined; Findagrave records it as 1874-1961)

This is another nice example of a vernacular memorial using stencils that adds an extra touch with the impression of a dove. Mrs. Lawrence was a well-loved member of the Mt. Zion community and worked as a midwife for many years. In 1930, with M. C. Lawrence, Mattie Lawrence, M. F. Hillman, A. F. Tucker, R. B. Glover, Cyrus Howell and Lucy Kendrick, she formed a benevolent institution known as the “Band of Faithful Workers”. According to their legal petition filed with the county, the purpose of their institution was “caring for the sick and burial of the dead”.

Powell Baptist Church & Cemetery, Talbot County

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The Powell Baptist Church is an historic Freedmen’s congregation founded in 1879. It is located between Talbotton and Waverly Hall, north of the historic Olive Branch community. According to the church cornerstone, Rev. J. Bowell was the first pastor. Tax records indicate an 1879 construction date, but the present building was constructed much later, during the pastorate of W. W. Walker. It is possible that the original structure was incorporated into the modern version, but confirming that would require more research. The nicely maintained churchyard opens into a large cemetery containing a variety of memorials, with a few notable vernacular examples, shared below.

George Bunkley (25 December 1887-23 November 1951)

Though it has been updated with a modern marker, the original memorial for George Bunkley has been saved. It has some interesting elements, notably the scored “O” in the word “born”.

Rosa W. Bunkley (21 July 1906-6 March 1981)

Mrs. Bunkley’s memorial is also a common form. The poured rounded concrete form with stenciled data is widespread, especially in this part of the state. Most markers of this type simply feature names and dates, though some examples, like Mrs. Bunkley’s, feature crosses or other symbols.

Betty Joe Beach (6 November 1954-17 July 1966)

The marker for Betty Joe Beach is another good example of the rounded concrete variety, in the plainer style. Miss Beach’s name is misspelled on the memorial.

Cora Walker (Birth and death dates unknown)

The simple memorial for Cora Walker is a beautiful in its simplicity. Further research will likely determine her birth and death dates.

Mrs. Luella Owens (Birth and death dates unknown)

This memorial was created by the prolific artist Eldren Bailey, whose work can be found in African-American cemeteries throughout the state. This one was handled by the Haugabrooks Funeral Home in Atlanta.

Eddie F. Leonard (27 March 1950-20 December 1981)


The Leonard memorials, though somewhat recent, are among the most unique vernacular markers in the Powell cemetery.

Leon Leonard (4 March 1939-1 August 1967)

Leon Leonard’s memorial may be the most interesting in the entire cemetery. Featuring an open cross, as well as the crosses at the base and handwritten data present on the Eddie Leonard memorial, it is fine example of vernacular funerary art.

The brickwork around the front door has a more Gothic revival appearance than the rest of the church building. I believe it is a tribute to the church’s earlier design.

New Salem Church, Terrell County

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Findagrave identifies the graveyard located at this church as the “Salem Methodist Church Cemetery”, indicating that to be the historical name of the congregation. The current sign identifies it as New Salem Church, so a change in affiliation may have taken place in recent years.

Unidentified/unreadable. Headstone appears to be the work of Eldren Bailey.

The well-maintained country church, near Muslim Farm Road on the outskirts of Bronwood, has its origins with freedmen. The earliest identified burial dates to 1885. There are doubtless many unmarked graves.

The steps of the outdoor baptismal are branded with the numbers “666”. I’m guessing it’s symbolic for leaving evil and misdeeds behind as you emerge from the ritual.

Jones Chapel Cemetery, Washington County

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Situated on a ridge across from Jones Chapel, this historic cemetery is as important a resource as the church itself. It contains a nice variety of vernacular and commercial memorials, and formerly enslaved men and women, along with freedmen and their descendants, are buried here. My focus here is on the vernacular memorials.

Bessie H Jackson? (Aug 5, no year-22 July 1960 or 1961)

This vernacular memorial is topped by a cross made of shells and reads: Memory of You Forever.

Bidy Ann Talington (12 March 1900-6 January 1904)

Bidy Ann was the daughter of Sam and Hattie Talington.

Ransom Powell, Jr. (26 May 1899-6 May 1915)

This is a marble stone, likely bought as a blank and inscribed by a local craftsman.

Georgian Brinson (1870-22 February 1909)

This is a typical “stenciled” ledger stone in a common shape. It remains in relatively good condition.

Nias Gonder (4 March 1883-11 September 1923)

This is another typical stenciled stone.

Mattie B. Jones (30 September 1907-8 July 1908)

Ivy and an anchor are represented in the tympanum of this marker, and an accompanying poem reads: A little flower of love that blossomed but to die, Transplanted not above to bloom with God on high.

Little Sandra Leann Dixon (birth and death dates obscured)

This is the first Eldren Bailey headstone I’ve seen with the Blake Funeral Home identified. I’m not sure where it was located, but likely in Atlanta where Mr. Bailey lived and worked.

Newman Jackson (9 May 1910-8 August 1995)

This is one of two Jackson headstones with a distinctive dotted text. Though they were made 15 years apart, I believe the same person created both. In addition to the birth and death dates, it reads: Memories Your Children-We Still Love You

T. L. Jackson (1980-1980)

Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Randolph County

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Kuanita Evette Murphy states in her book, The History of the Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church: From the Brush Arbor to the Sanctuary, that the congregation dates all the way back to 1834 and began as a brush arbor church. From the era of enslavement to the present day, Piney Grove has been a spiritual resource for its members and is among the oldest black congregations in present-day Randolph County.

There’s a large historic cemetery beside the church. The following memorials are presented randomly, for their vernacular importance.

Nellie Fillingame (Birthdate unknown-17 January 1938)

The roots of this tree look like they’re going to topple this nice old vernacular headstone.

The next two two memorials, by renowned sculptor Eldren Bailey, were purchased through the Haugabrooks Funeral Home in Atlanta.

Elijah Stergis (Birthday unknown-16 September 1916)

Elijah Sturgis (spelled Stergis on the memorial) was lynched simply for being related to a fugitive and being in the path of a rabid mob. I believe these stories must be told.

On 18 September 1916, Sturgis’s cousin Peter Hudson shot and killed Randolph County Sheriff William Samuel Taylor, who was serving a warrant for Hudson’s arrest. Hudson escaped the scene and went into hiding in the nearby woods and swamps. A lynch mob formed and while tracking Hudson, encountered Elijah Sturgis, apparently killing him for no reason. Hudson was located on 20 September 1916 and shot on the spot. His lifeless body was dragged around the town square in Cuthbert before being hoisted onto an improvised gallows. It was later taken down and burned on the outskirts of town.

Roy Stergis (Birthdate unknown-died 1945)

It’s in a beautifully secluded location, far back in the woods down hilly roads of orange-red clay. This area of northwestern Randolph County is known locally as the Upper Corner. This historic congregation is still very active.

Evans Chapel C. M. E. Church, Webster County

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Evans Chapel is located in the Church Hill community, just over the Marion County line in Webster County. I believe the present structure replaced a simple wood frame chapel, but don’t know when it was built, nor any other history of the congregation.

Mrs. Geneva Hill (?-12 November 1962) – Cox Funeral Home.

There is a large well-maintained cemetery beside the church. [It’s sometimes referred to as Churchill Cemetery.] I located two memorials made by Eldren Bailey, who I believe to be Georgia’s most prolific black creator of funerary art in the 20th century. Sadly, much of his creative work has been lost, so his cemetery memorials, made to order, represent his legacy. I document them whenever I find them.

Herman Alonzo Walker (1934-1968) – Haugabrooks Funeral Home

Mr. Walker was an Army veteran. He died in Atlanta, so I’m unsure if it was related to the Vietnam War, but he also has a government headstone in addition to this one.