Black Cemetery Officially Named for Groundskeeper

After more than a century without an official name, Young County Commissioners voted unanimously on April 14 to formally designate the historic Black cemetery on the U.S. 380 bypass as the William P. Johnston Cemetery, in honor of the man who cared for the burial ground for decades without compensation.

The move comes after months of historical research and public engagement by the Young County Historical Commission and the William P. Johnston Cemetery Preservation Committee, whose members were present at the meeting to support the resolution.

“Over its more than 100-year history, it has been referred to by various names, many of which contain language that is now considered racist and divisive,” County Judge Win Graham said later in a Facebook post.

William P. Johnston Jr., a local groundskeeper, voluntarily mowed and maintained the cemetery weekly until his death in 1971. Shortly thereafter, a sign was placed at the entrance by Wilbur “Sonny” Williams, reading William P. Johnston Memorial Cemetery, a name that has been widely used in the community for more than 50 years.

The land was deeded to the County in 1923 by Addie Graham, with the stipulation that it be used exclusively as a burial ground for the local Black community. The cemetery, located just north of Oak Grove Cemetery, had since become known by various names—some of which officials acknowledged were “racist or inappropriate by today’s standards.”

The resolution passed unanimously by the Commissioners not only names the cemetery but lays out detailed rules for its preservation: - No new burials will be permitted; the cemetery is now officially closed.

- No modifications— such as new signage, headstones, landscaping, or structures—can be made without explicit approval from the County.

- A William P. Johnston Cemetery Preservation Committee will advise the court on future maintenance and preservation efforts.

- The site will be treated with “the utmost respect,” with all forms of racist or derogatory language explicitly banned in signage or speech regarding the cemetery.

Vanessa Simmons, a former resident of Young County and a descendant of individuals buried in the cemetery, attended the meeting to voice concerns and offer a broader perspective on African American history in the area. She emphasized the importance of recognizing early Black settlers—such as Mary Ann Coleman, who arrived in Young County in 1880 and may have been one of the first African American women buried in Graham.

Ms. Simmons questioned whether the name should reflect the cemetery’s longer history, but ultimately expressed appreciation for the effort to recognize the site formally.