I came here for a Juneteenth celebration. The performance was great. I hope to come to more events. read more

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South View Cemetery was founded in 1886 and contains over 100 acres of land. It is the oldest African-American Cemetery in Atlanta and the oldest African-American cemetery not to be dependent on charity in the USA. It is the fruitful effort of nine black former slaves turned businessmen who wanted a safe, secure place to bury their loved ones with dignity. "Blacks had grown tired of the disrespect they were forced to endure in order to bury their family members and friends. They had to enter cemeteries through back gates, and even wade through swamps to conduct funeral services. They were told "If you don't' like it, start your own cemetery." And so they did." - Southview Cemetery Association history One monument sign in the cemetery reads: "A CEMETERY OF THEIR OWN - In February 1886, a group of formerly enslaved African-American men - Jacob McKinley, George Graham, Robert Grant, Charles Morgan, Albert Watts and John Render petitioned the State of Georgia for a charter to establish the South-View Cemetery Association. The new cemetery gave African-Americans  an alternative to Atlanta's segregated burial grounds and provided an environment where they could be buried with dignity. Originally 25 acres, Southview has expanded to approximately 100 acres and contains over 70,000 burials." [ THE EXPERIENCE ] My visit was short, but fruitful. While there, I ran into a woman in the lineage of John Wesley Dobbs. She took time to give me a brief family history as she tended the graves of multiple family members. It was a wonderful conversation that lasted so long I had to rush to find the other graves I intended to visit before closing. [ FAMOUS SOUTHVIEW RESIDENTS ] There are many notable African Americans buried here @ Southview from civil rights leaders & professional athletes to musicians and gold medalists. * HENRY "HANK" AARON (86) | 1934-2021 Notoriety: Baseball player who broke Babe Ruth's record BIO: https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/30761133/let-us-appreciate-grace-uncommon-decency-henry-aaron * ALONZO FRANKLIN HERNDON (69) | 1858-1927 Notoriety: Former slave who became Atlanta's 1st black millionaire and also founded Atlanta Family Life Insurance Co. BIO: https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/herndon-alonzo-franklin-1858-1927/ * JOHN ROBERT LEWIS (80) | 1940-2020 Notoriety: One of the "Big Six" leaders of the civil rights movement in the 1960s, John Lewis continued to fight for people's rights in Congress until his death. BIO: https://www.biography.com/political-figure/john-lewis * MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. FAMILY REV. MARTIN LUTHER KING SR. (84) | 1899-1984 - father ALBERTA CHRISTINE "MAMA" KING (69) | 1904-1974 - mother REV. ALFRED DANIEL WILLIAMS KING (38) | 1930-1969 (38) - brother * JULIAN BOND (75) | 1940-2015 Notoriety: Prominent Civil Rights Leader, former Chairman of the National NAACP, and former Georgia House of Representative who co-founded and lead the Southern Poverty Law Center BIO: https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/history-archaeology/julian-bond-1940-2015/ * HORACE A. BOHANNON (80) | 1922-2003 Notoriety: Tuskegee Airman who who co-founded the Atlanta Chapter Tuskegee Airmen in 1976. * WILLIAM GUEST (74) | 1941-2015 Notoriety: R&B/soul singer best known as a member of Gladys Knight & the Pips along with his cousins Gladys Knight, Merald "Bubba" Knight and Edward Patten. * WHITMAN FAMILY: ALBERY ALLSON WHITMAN (50) | 1851-1901 Notoriety: Former slave, minister, orator known as "Poet Laureate of the Negro Race" Father to the Whitman Sisters. ALBERTA, ESSIE & MABEL Notoriety: Famous black vaudeville performers BIO: https://lithub.com/on-albert-allson-whitman-radical-black-poet-of-the-reconstruction/ * MOSES AMOS (62) | 1866 - 1928 Notoriety: Georgia's 1st licensed black pharmacist in 1914 BIO: https://codepen.io/indiamos/full/GZJdNo [ NOTABLE RESIDENTS ] Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Dr. Benjamin Mays. were both laid to rest at South View before being moved. Ludie Clay Andrews, the first nursing license granted to an African-American woman by Georgia is also here along with famous musicians, sports hall-of-famers, artists, poets, legendary educators, writers, doctors and a Tuskegee Airman.    [ FINAL THOUGHTS ] It is an honor & privilege to walk these hallowed grounds knowing the impact some of the residents here made on history, particularly my history. Forever grateful for their pioneering spirits and will to light a path. 2022 / 50 #BlackHistorySeries read more

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So. My mother passed away on Dec 28, 2013. This cemetery is one of three in Metro Atlanta that I have visited before. I must say that I am never happy when I go to cemetery because of the great loss that accompanies each visit. But we all get closer every day to being here or a place very similar to it. Both of my parents and a list of other relatives are buried here as well. So I decided to write a review of my experiences here as well as give a little history(?) on this cemetery in my own special way. Dearly beloved. We are gathered here today to Celebrate this thing called Life!...Naw just kidding! I can't joke about a cemetery. But I would give this place a 10 Star if it was allowed because I sure as hell don't want to work here. Which brings me to a joke that my dad once told me when I was scared to get out of the car as a young child while he visited his father's grave. He said to me, "It's not the MF's here that can bother you. It's the MF's still breathing that you need to worry about!". My dad! Such an inspirational man! LOL! As I revisit the site where my mother's body's final resting place is, all I can do is to remember that I will never see the love of my life on earth again. And I only pray that I will see her again, one day, in Heaven...Which means I had better get my stuff together, soon.My sister and brother had placed a beautiful bouquet of flowers out for her on Mother's Day 2014. I was happy to see that they were still there when I came back in August of that year. I looked around and noticed that there were so many sites that had beautiful headstones and flowers for loved one's that had passed away as well. I actually thought to myself that I could learn a lesson or two from the landscaping as the lawn is very well maintained here. I have never come here and seen it looking unkempt. I appreciate that more than words can say. The landscaper here at the time was Mr. Ross. He was always friendly and did a great job of keeping this place so beautiful! I haven't seen him in about two years (It is Jan 4, 2018), so he probably retired. But I assume most of the staff are just as kind as he was. Take care Yelp Family and live as if each new day is your best day! Kim Matthew 24:36New King James Version (NKJV) 36 "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven,[a] but My Father only. read more

a landmark on the history of the black community of citizens in atlanta that had a place where they could lay their loved ones to rest with the upmost respect and in a dignified manner. read more