Pasco County FlArchives Cemeteries.....Trilby African American Cemetery
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Scott Black http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00029.html#0007130 July 2004

Trilby African American Cemetery, Trilby, Pasco Co. FL

Directions:  From Dade City, go north on U.S. Highway 301 about six miles.  
At the intersection with U.S. Highway 98, follow that highway north about a 
half mile to County Road 575.  Turn west at that intersection at the blinking 
light (into the Trilby Community) and then almost immediately turn north 
(right) on Old Trilby Road.  After passing some homes and then the old Trilby 
School (on your right), the road will begin to curve to the right.  Instead, 
drive straight onto a not-so-well defined very narrow dirt lane between two 
fence rows (easy to miss) and you will soon see the graves of this cemetery.  
An alternate route (not by vehicle) would be to proceed north on the Withlacoochee 
State Trail, adjacent to the Trilby Post Office, about a quarter of a mile, 
and the cemetery will be up the former railroad bank on the east (right) side.

It is not known if this cemetery has ever received an official name, but it has 
historically been referred to as “Trilby Colored Cemetery” and that name has been 
documented in the records of Coleman & Ferguson Funeral Home, which handled some 
burials in this cemetery in the mid and late 1920’s (all apparently now unmarked 
graves).  

There are many unmarked graves in this cemetery as evidenced by sunken areas 
throughout the property.  This cemetery also had an extremely large number of 
graves marked only by temporary funeral home markers, many of which no longer 
held the names of the individuals buried there.  Some graves had unmarked slabs 
and headstones that may have once held some type of identification.

At the time of this survey, the undergrowth and overgrowth in this cemetery were 
excessive.  It is entirely possible that there are other marked graves that would 
be discovered with a good clearing.  Even some of the slabs (which seemed to be 
the preferred way of permanently marking a grave here) were covered with a thin 
level of soil and had to be dug and swept to be seen.

It is hoped that a cemetery association may be formed at some point to provide 
perpetual care of this cemetery.  There are at least two predominantly black churches 
at Trilby that could be approached about providing the support for such an association 
and perhaps descendants of those buried here may be interested in participating.

In addition to a couple of late afternoons I spent surveying this cemetery, I also 
spent an enjoyable Saturday morning, along with my wife Laura, joining forces with 
veteran cemetery surveyor, Elaine Wyckoff, to complete the job.  My thanks to Elaine 
and Laura.

Surveyed:  April 2004 

ALLEN, Margaret, d. 1967 (only date) (Temporary marker)
ANDERSON, Fred, b. 1895 d. 1989 (Temporary marker)
ARNOLD, Jannie Bell, b. 1923 d. 1966, “Father-Mother-Children” (Slab)

BAKER, Willie R., d. 1969 (Temporary marker--Evans Service)
BARKER, Jake, b. 1916, d. 1963, “At rest” (Slab)
BARNES, Lela, b Mar 20 1884 d. Jan 7 1952, “Age 68” (Headstone)
BARRETT, Simon L Jr, b 1963 d. 1979 (Slab)
BENNETT, Infant, b/d 1979 (Temporary marker)
BLACK, Esther Lee, b 1926 d. 1968, “Wife-Sister; At rest” (Slab)
BLACK, Mattie, b Mar 21 1888 d. Mar 3 1954 (Slab)
BROOKS, Shanika, No Datres, (Temporary marker)
BROWN, Annie, b 1905 d. 1979 (Slab)
BRYANT, Jerome A., b. Aug 25 1987 d. Jul 22 1991 (Temporary marker--Milton Funeral Home)
BURNS, George Sr., b. 1930 d. 1985 (Slab)
BURT, Mrs Etta L., b. 1883 d. 1959 “At rest” (Slab)
BURT, John Henry d. Apr 16 1988 (only date) (Slab)
BURT, Peter W., b. Oct 18 1906 d. Sep 5 1992 (Slab)

CHERRY, Annie, b. Jan 11 1881 d. Jul 18 1961 (Slab)
CLARK, Katie Lee, b. Jan 15 1901 d. Jan 13 1974 “At rest” (Slab)
CLARK, Mildred, b. 1914 d. 1990 (Temporary marker)
COCHRAN, Mr Grady Sr. d. Dec 15? 1964  (only date) (Temporary marker--Creal Funeral Home)
COLLINS, Lucy Bell, b. Dec 17 1942 d. Jan 13 1980 (Headstone)
COLSON, Mr Pierce Jr., b. 1915 d. 1963 “Our loved one” (Slab)
COURTNEY, Alphonso (No dates) (Temporary marker)
CRAPPS, Blanche L., b. Jun 5 1910 d. Feb 5 1958 “Peaceful rest” (Slab)
CRAPPS, Rev W. C., b. 1896 d. 1967 “At rest” (Slab)
CROW, Alvergin A., b. Dec 9 1941 d. Dec 31 2003 (Slab)

DAVIS, Cornelius W., b. 1898 d. 1989 (Slab)
DAVIS, Eddie W., b. Dec 23 1932 d. Jul 22 1949 (Slab with headstone)
DAVIS, Jake Jr., b. May 28 1926 d. Jan 3 1960 “At rest” (Slab)
DAVIS, Rosa Lee, b. May 3 1903 d. May 30 1957 “At rest” (Slab)
DAVIS, Viola, b. 1919 d. 1973 “At rest” (Slab)
DAWKIN, Baby, b/d 1968 (Temporary marker)
DAY, Sallie Mae, b. Dec 15 1913 d. Jul 8 1955 (Slab)
DENNIS, Baby, b/d 1967 (Temporary marker)
DOCTOR, Bessie, b. 1884 d. Feb 6 1973 (Slab)
DOCTOR, Clifford, d 1986 (only date) (Temporary marker--Milton Funeral Home)
DONOLDSON, Walter H., b. Dec 12 1886 d. Jun 20 1944 (Headstone)

EDWARDS, Minnie Pearl, b. Mar 2 1947 d. May 3 1994 “A loving mother and grandmother” (Headstone)
ELIAS, Shelton, b. 1985 d. 1986 (Temporary marker--Milton Funeral Home)

FERRELL, Rev G. W., d 1968 (Temporary marker--Evans Service)
FINLY, Larence, d 1965 (only date) (Temporary marker)
FLOYD, James, b. 1960 d. 1976 (Temporary marker--Milton Funeral Home)
FLOYD, Ruth, d 1966 (only date) “At rest” (Slab)

GASKIN, Mary T., b. 1944 d. 1974 “At rest” (Slab)
GEORGE, Abraham Sr., b. 1906 d. 1984 (Slab)
GILES, India N., d 1985 (only date) (Temporary marker)
GOODWIN, Laura F., b. Feb 28 1868 d. May 28 1956 “At rest” (Slab)
GRACE, Carl, b. Feb 19 1905 d. Feb 13 1967 “S.C. Pvt U.S. Army WW II” (Star of David on headstone)
GRACE, Christine, d. 1969 (only date) (Temporary marker--Evans Service)
GRANT, ____________, (Slab with illegible metal plate)
GREEN, Clara, b. 1947 d. 1986 (Slab)
GREEN, Clarence W., b. 1872 d. 1952 “Loving father; At rest” (Headstone)
GREEN, Emma, b. 1889 (Only date showing)
GREEN, Mattie C., b. 1964 d. 1980 (Temporary marker--Nearby crucifix headstone could be her’s?)
GREEN, Sarah, b 1878 d. 1944 (Headstone)
GREEN, Tom Palmer Sr., b. 1926 d. 1964 “Father” (Headstone)
GRIFFIN, Willie, b. 1903 d. 1918 (Shared headstone with wife, Willie Mae Griffin)
GRIFFIN, Willie Mae, b. 1903 d. 1925 (Shared headstone with husband, Willie Griffin)
GRIMAGE, Bookie, b. Aug 10 1910 d. Apr 6 1961 (Slab)
GROVER, Lela, b. 1900 d. 1989 (Temporary marker)
GROVER, Walter E., b. Jun 6 1900 d. Sep 26 1959 (Slab)

HADLEY, Lucy, b. Dec 26 1904 d. Sep 17 1954 (Slab)
HAMILTON, Drucilla, b. Mar 25 1914 d. Mar 12 1947? (Headstone/Sunken slab?)
HANNAH, Ella R., b. 1926 d. 1986 (Temporary marker--Milton Funeral Home)
HANNER, Henry, b. 1911 d. 1991 (Temporary marker--Milton Funeral Home)
HARRISON, Willie Jr., b. 1943 d. 1964 “Husband” (Slab)
HATCH, Isabell, b. 1894 d. 1960 (Temporary marker--Milton Funeral Home)
HAWKINS, Laura, b. 1903 d. 1969 (Slab)
HAYES, Arthur, b. 1881 d. 1964 (Temporary marker)
HICKMAN, Earnest, b. 1899 d. 1973 (Headstone)
HICKS, Otis, b. 1909 d. 1960 “Peaceful rest” (Slab)
HILL, Sophie, d. 1969 (only date) (Temporary marker--Evans Service)
HODGES, Sam, b. Dec 3 1925 d. Oct 1 1993 (Slab)
HOLLMON, Theodore, b. Apr 22 1913 d. Jul 6 1955 (Headstone)
HUNTER, Sam, d. Jul 14 1933 (only date) “Fla. Pvt 1CL 443 Serv Bn” (Star of David on headstone)

IVEY, Adell, d. 1985 (only date) (Temporary marker--Milton Funeral Home)

JACKSON, Helen, b. 1924 d. 1989 (Slab)
JACKSON, James, d. 1967 (only date) (Temporary marker)
JEFFERSON, Georiga, b. 1925 d. 1981 (Slab)
JENKINS, Lee, b. Jan 28 1894 d. Dec 28 1960 “Fla. PFC 16 Engr Svc Co Fors WW I” (Headstone)
JOHNSON, John L., b. Sep 7 1892 d. Sep 14 1963 “Fla. Pvt Co A 546 Engr Svc Bn WW I” (Headstone/crypt)
JOHNSON, William, b. Aug 20 1894 d. Feb 27 1969 “Pvf Co A 444 Res Lab Bn Omg Fla. WW I” (Headstone)
JONES, Kattie, b. Sep 12 1907 d. Nov 18 1990 “C.F.S.” (Slab)
JONES, Rufus Henry, b. Jan 9 1928 d. Jul 26 1954 “Cpl Artillery Korea” (Headstone)

KNIGHT, Robert, d, 1967 (only date) (Temporary marker)

L____________, R. A., No Dates, (Triangular headstone with only initials “R. A. L.” painted on it)
LAKE, Celia Evans, d. Jul 29 1946 (only date) (Headstone)
LEWIS, Bill, b. 1930 d. 1979 (Slab)
LEWIS, Eliza, b. 1873 d. 1969 (Slab with metal plate)
LEWIS, Ethel Ann, b. 1904 d. 1992 (Slab)
LEWIS, Harry (No dates) (Temporary marker)
LOVE, Willie, d. 1967 (only date) (Temporary marker)

MANN, Sonny, b. Feb 18 1890 d. Oct 25 1966 “Fla. Pvt Co C 305 Svc Bn QMC WW I” (Headstone)
McCLINTON, Willie, b. 1916 d. 1979 (Temporary marker--Milton Funeral Home)
McCRAY, Fred J., b. Jan 5 1924 d. May 7 1970 “Fla. Pvt 884 Port Co TC WW II” (Headstone)
MITHELL, C., d. 1966 (only date) (Temporary marker--Evans Service)
MOBLEY, Fredrick, d. 1991 (only date) (Temporary marker--Milton Funeral Home)
MOORE, Nellie, b. 1908 d. 1960 “Wife” (Slab)
MORAGNE, Dorothy Lee, b. Aug 24 1940 d. Jul 9 1976 (Slab)
MORGAN, Samuel, b. 1957 d. 1989 (Temporary marker--Community Funeral Service)
MOSLEY, Michael, d. 1977 (only date) (Temporary marker--Milton Funeral Home)

NANCE, Eddie, b. Jun 12 1920 d. Apr 29 1970 “U.S. Army” (Headstone)

OLIVER, Annie, b. Nov 27 1900 d. Dec 12 1959 “Peaceful rest” (Slab)
OLIVER, Eva Mae, b Mar 3 1927 d. Sep 17 1971 “Peaceful rest” (Slab)
OWENS, Baby Boy, b 1965 d. 1968 (Temporary marker)
OWENS, Jerome, b Jan 1 1917 d. Oct 2 1965 “Fla. S2 USNR WW II” (Headstone)

PADRICK, John (No dates) “Indian Chief; Buffalo Head” (Headstone)
PARKER, Jake, b. Aug 18 1940 d. May 13 1974 “At rest” (Slab)
PARKER, Mayo J., b. Dec 25 1924 d. Sep 23 1992 “Tec 5 U.S. Army WW II” (Headstone)
PEARSON, Kelley, b. 1909 d. 1989 (Temporary marker--Milton Funeral Home)
PICKET, Mattie Lee, b. Aug 26 1915 d. Sep 11 1968? (Temporary marker)
PITTMAN, Bose, b. Jul 24 1890 d. Feb 14 1958 “Resting” (Slab)
PONDER, Willie J., b. May 17 1921 d. Jun 19 1960 “Fla. Tec 5 Co A 445 Sig Hv Const Bn WW II” (Headstone)
POPE, Ardis Lee Jr., d. 1985 (only date) (Temporary marker)

RAIFORD, Robert, No Dates, (Temporary marker)
RAINS, Thomas, d. Dec 25 1933 (only date) “Fla. Pvt 550 Engrs” (Headstone)
RANDALL, Hattie, d. 1968 (only date) (Temporary marker)
RANSON, Charlene, b/d 1987 (Temporary marker--Milton Funeral Home)
REESE, Valeray, b. 1959 d. 1976 (Temporary marker--Milton Funeral Home)
RILEY, Admon, b. Mar 11 1940 d. Apr 22 1994 (Headstone)
ROBERTS, Juanita, b Mar 16 1916 d. Jun 28 1983 “Cousin” (Headstone)
ROBINSON, Mrs Gussie, b 1902 d. 1962 “From friends of Pasco Packing Co” (Headstone)
ROBINSON, John, b Apr 23 1923 d. Dec 12 1979 “At rest” (Slab)
ROBINSON, Oscar, d. Jun 7 1942 (only date) “Age 55 years” (Temporary marker--Harper Funeral Home)
RODDY, Jeff (No dates) (Temporary marker)
ROLAND, Mary, b 1873 d. 1969 (Temporary marker--Thomas Service)
ROUNDTREE, Lenore, d. 1973 (only date) (Slab)
ROUNDTREE, Maple, d. 1973 (only date) (Slab)

SANDS, Basilio A, b 1956 d. 1969 “My beloved son, brother, and family” (Headstone)
SANDS, Mattie Mae, b 1916 d. 1961 “Our daughter; At rest” (Slab)
SHABFTON, Sarah, b May 10 1906 d. Jul 13 1957 “At rest” (Slab)
SHAUFTON, Clyde Lee, b Nov 8 1925 d. Feb 7 1987 “PFC U.S. Army WW II” (Headstone--Adjacent slab?)
SHORT, Silas, d. 1968 (only date) (Temporary marker)
SINGLETON, Baby, b. 1966 d. 1966 (Temporary marker)
SINGLETON, Louis, b. 1912 d. 1989 (Temporary marker)
SIRMON, ___. ___. Jr., b. Jun 5 1955 d. Jul 1 ______ (Headstone)
SIRMON, Fred, b. 1911 d. 1985 (Temporary marker--Milton Funeral Home)
SIRMON, Mamie, No Dates, (Temporary marker)
SIRMON, Willie Lee, b. Feb 12 1932 d. Nov 7 1950 (Headstone) 
SMALLEY, Cora Lee, b. 1909 d. 1970 (Slab with metal plate)
SMITH, George, d. 1967 (only date) (Temporary marker)
SMITH, James, d. 1968 (only date) (Temporary marker)
SMITH, Rockourell, No Dates, (Temporary marker--Evans Service)
SPAIGHTS, Frank N., b. Feb 5 1923 d. Dec 7 1972 “Fla. Pvt U.S. Army WW II” (Headstone)
SPAIGHTS, Henry David, b. May 12 1926 d. Nov 30 1965 “Fla. S1 USNR WW II” (Headstone)
SPAIGHTS, James, b. Nov 29 1930 d. May 29 1953 (Slab)
SPAIGHTS, Robert B., b. 1933 d. 1972 (Temporary marker--McRae Funeral Home)
SPEIGHTS, Marcellous, d. 1968 (only date) (Temporary marker--Evans Service)
STEPHENS, Paris, b. 1991 d. 1991 (Temporary marker--Milton Funeral Home)
STEVENS, Elmer, d. 1966 (Temporary marker)
STORY, Columbus, b. 1889 d. 1979 (Temporary marker--Milton Funeral Home)
STORY, Solomon, b. Jun 8 1895 d. Dec 29 1969 “Ga. Pvt U.S. Army WW I” (Headstone)
STRINGER, Andrew, d. Sep 2 1956 “Age 65 years” (Temporary marker--Paper deteriorating)
SUCKER, Mary, b. 1907 d. 1982 (Slab)

THOMAS, Baby, b. 1978 d. 1978 (Temporary marker)
THOMAS, Debbie, b. 1966 d. 1987 (Temporary marker--Milton Funeral Home)
THOMAS, Rev Johnny, b. 1922 d. 1967 (Slab)
THOMPSON, Eddie, d. 1966 (only date) (Temporary marker)
THOMPSON, Girley L., b. 1889 d. 1971 (Headstone with adjacent crypt)
TOOMER, Patricia, d. 1980 (only date) (Temporary marker--Milton Funeral Home)
TUCKER, Aislee, b. 1912 d. 1983 (Slab)
TUCKER, Jackie, b. Oct 26 1958 d. Feb 22 1977 (Slab)

UPSHAW, Grady Jr., b. Apr 13 1944 d. Jun 25 1966, “Fla. SP4 Co C 10 Engineer Bn” (Headstone with slab)

WALTON, Randy, b. 1976 d. 1977 (Temporary marker--Milton Funeral Home)
WARREN, Claude, b. Jan 18 1933 d. Jun 15 1963 (Headstone)
WASHINGTON, ____________, d. 1969 (only date) (Temporary marker--Evans Service)
WELSBY, Lizzie C., d. 1968 (only date) (Temporary marker--Evans Service)
WHITE, James, No Dates, (Temporary marker--Unmarked slab nearby could be his?)
WILLIAMS, Albert, b. 1937 d. 1973 “Our darling” (Slab)
WILLIAMS, Isaac, b. Mar 25 1921 d. Apr 10 1987 “Pvt U.S. Army WW II” (Headstone)
WILLIAMS, John, b. Sep 5 1908 d. Sep 21 1967 “Gone to Rest” (Slab)
WILLIAMS, Mamie L., d. 1968 (only date) (Temporary marker)
WILLIAMS, Manuel, b. 1902 d. 1974 “Our beloved” (Slab)
WILLIAMS, Steven, d. 1971 (only date) (Temporary marker--Evans Service)
WOOD, Robert, d. 1968 (only date) (Temporary marker)
WOODS, Matthew, b. Nov 8 1922 d. Nov 2 1989 “Pvt U.S. Army WW II” (Headstone & slab)
WRISPUS, Nathan, b. May 30 1914 (only date) “Age 68 years” (Temporary marker--Creal Funeral Home)


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The following earlier burials are recorded in the Coleman & Ferguson Funeral Home records:

ADAMS, Joe, d. Mar 4 1927 (Age almost 100 years--Died of pneumonia and senility)

BELL, S. M., d. Sep 9 1928 (About 28 years old--Camp car cook--Crushed to death by train)
BRANNEN, Ed, d. Oct 13 1926 (Sawmill laborer--Run over by a log train)

COBB, Evelano, d. Feb 28 1927 (Wife of Thomas Cobb--Died of Mitrol regurgitation)
CUNNINGHAM, Will, d. Oct 11 1926 (About 30 years old--Tuberculosis victim) 

DOCTOR, Lina, d. Sep 28 1927 (About 40 years old)

FOSTER, Earnest, b. Aug 5 1886 d. Feb 1 1927 (Husband of Maude Foster--Died of hernia operation)

HAMPTON, Sumner, d. Jan 4 1929 (About 24 years old)

JOHNSON, Andrew, d. Jun 16 1928 (About 50 years old)
JOHNSON, Sweet, d. Feb 17 1929 (About 36 years old--Husband of Fannie Johnson)

LEWIS, Minor, d. Jan 23 1929 (About 56 years old)
LOUIS, Curtis Jr., b. Aug 20 1926 d. Mar 14 1927

WILLIAMS, Zion, d. Oct 11 1929 (About 65 years old)


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Accounts in the Dade City Banner newspaper seem to indicate the following burials in this cemetery:

DONALDSON, Edgar, d. Mar 25? 1923 (Extra gang employee of railroad--Drowned in Withlacoochee River)

GREEN, “Aunt” Lucy, d. Feb 1924 (Former slave “about a hundred years old”)

HOWARD, Will, d. May 27 1935 (Shot and killed by his wife, Annie Howard)

LARK, George, d. Dec 1925 (Killed by Pasco County deputy sheriff)
LEAK, Will, d. Aug 6 1915 (Lynched at Trilby after being accused of attempted rape; Taken from county jail)

SMITH, Lyman, d. Apr 5 1935 (Killed by train near Chipco crossing while apparently asleep on tracks)