Magnolia Cemetery “Colored Sections “

Magnolia Cemetery “Colored Sections “. Apalachicola Black History Trail. Often, the entire community turned out for a funeral service to honor the deceased. Children were permitted to participate in the mourning rituals and local people provided succor for the bereaved family. The Usher Board members were present for services adorned in white nurses' uniforms. Their solemn duty of attending to the family of the deceased was taken seriously. Flowers, and plants lined funeral homes and churches. Choirs rehearsed, musicians came together, and pastors as well as community orators prepared eulogies to honor the deceased while simultaneously encouraging the living. , , Some historians opine that African Americans placed great emphasis on the Homegoing Service for two reasons: one was prohibitions against the gathering of the enslaved for burials for fear that the enslaved would plot rebellions to free themselves from their condition of servitude. , , After the Civil War and Emancipation, burial societies (benevolent associations) were established in African American communities throughout the country to ensure that their "Homegoing Celebration" was carried out in a way that was respectful and honorable. Apalachicola's Hill community had a Pallbearers organization to ensure that this essential part of the burial pageantry was impeccable. , , , , , . A second reason was to accord to Black people the respect in death that they were denied in life. , , In 1913, the City of Apalachicola Florida adopted an ordinance regarding burials in Magnolia Cemetery, located in the north of town. Section 123 of the ordinance read as follows: "The north half of the south quarter of Magnolia Cemetery shall be used as a burial ground for white paupers and the south half of the south quarter of said cemetery is and shall be used as a burial ground for colored paupers." , , “The west quarter of said cemetery shall be used as a burial ground for colored people who desire to buy lots therein, and all that portion of said cemetery on the river side of Central Avenue is and shall be used as a burial ground for white people.” , , The "Colored Section of Magnolia Cemetery" is the final resting place for the remains of those listed below as well as so many more deserving of our remembrance: , . Isaiah Abram . Minnie Barefield . Breedloves . George and Mary Clark . Mary Thomas Edwards . Humphries . McCaskills . Cornelius and Addie Rizer . James “Bud” Simpson . Speeds . Sam Stephen - Businessman . Evangeline Zeigler White Toliver . Spence and Maud Wynn . William Zeigler , Read more about the people and places of Apalachicola's Black History Trail by scanning the QR code above or by visiting cityofapalachicola.com.