LaFayette in Chambers County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Essie J. Handy Memorial Cemetery
Chambers County
Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 11, 2020
1. Essie J. Handy Memorial Cemetery Marker
Elisha and Essie Handy came to La Fayette in 1925. They were
educators and active in civic and religious activities. In 1940 their
oldest son, Ralph, died from tuberculosis and was buried in the
only cemetery in La Fayette for African-Americans at the time.
Mrs. Handy went throughout the community asking for contributions
to purchase land from Judge Grady for a new African-American
cemetery. In 1949 she had her son's body exhumed and transferred
to the new community cemetery bearing her name. Mrs. Handy led a
prolific life. In 1945 she became the first African-American to vote
in Chambers County and she was recognized as a Civil Rights leader
in the area. Mrs. Handy met with President Lyndon B. Johnson and
was invited to his Inauguration in 1965. Mrs. Handy privately
operated the cemetery until her death in 1977. Subsequently,
the cemetery was deeded to the City of Lafayette who recognized
Mrs. Handy for her achievements and impact on the community.
Listed in the Alabama Historic Cemetery Register on October 17, 2018Erected 2019 by Essie J. Handy Cemetery Historical Society.
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Location. 32° 53.276′ N, 85° 24.427′ W. Marker is in LaFayette, Alabama, in Chambers County. Marker is on B Street, 0.4 miles south of 2nd Street SW, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 402 B St SW, Lafayette AL 36862, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Vines Funeral Home and Ambulance Service (approx. 0.4 miles away); The LaFayette Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.8 miles away); Joe Louis (approx. 0.9 miles away); Chambers County (approx. 0.9 miles away); Chambers County War Memorial (approx. 0.9 miles away); Muscogee Indians (approx. 0.9 miles away); LaFayette Cemetery (approx. one mile away); Providence Baptist Church (approx. 8.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in LaFayette.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 11, 2020
2. Essie J. Handy Memorial Cemetery
Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 11, 2020
3. Essie J. Handy Memorial Cemetery
Credits. This page was last revised on June 11, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 11, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 618 times since then and 231 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 11, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
