Over 100 interred in unmarked graves
Members of the West Bottom Baptist Church and the West Bottom community hosted a memorial dedication and unveiling on Saturday, June 28, marking the culmination of five years of collaborative preservation efforts and recognizing the more than 150 years of history present in Oak Hill Cemetery.
The engraved rough stone memorial, intentionally designed to evoke the field stone grave markers found in many older Black cemeteries, lists the names of over 100 people buried there in unmarked graves. Community historians conducted research in funeral home records, death certificates, and obituaries to identify the names of those at rest. This ceremony recognized them as well as those whose names have not yet been recovered. The dedication program honored the contributions of all who lie at rest on that wooded hillside.
“This headstone will serve as a place of peace and remembrance, where we all can come to feel close to our ancestors and find comfort in their memories. It is a reminder that while they are no longer with us in body, their spirit and influence remain ever present in our hearts. It is a legacy of Love, Faith, and Honor to us all.” – excerpt from comments by Nadine Armstrong.
Dozens of descendants, church and community members, and supporters gathered for the dedication. In song and story, the program both recognized the strong community foundation laid by the efforts of those at rest there, and honored their strength, perseverance, and persistence in building better lives for those they left behind…