EDITOR’S NOTE: Strangeville explores the legends, folklore, and unexplained history of Western North Carolina. From Cherokee mythology and Appalachian ghost stories to Bigfoot sightings and UFO encounters, the Blue Ridge Mountains have long been a hotspot for the strange and mysterious. Join us as we dig into the past and uncover the truth behind the region’s most curious tales.
HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. — In yesterday’s Tombstone Tales, we shared the unusual story of Lelia Maud Davidson Hansell, a teacher known in life for her cheerful spirit and in death for a final wish – to rest forever in sunlight.
Her grave still stands in Oakdale Cemetery, and what began as an act of devotion soon became something stranger. Visitors claimed they could see Lelia’s face through the glass…