Bibb County GaArchives Photo Tombstone.....Kyles, Dr. J. Garfield 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
James Allen jallen46@cox.net July 13, 2005, 10:11 pm

Cemetery:           Linwood Cemetery
Name:               Dr. J. Garfield Kyles

Date Of Photograph: June 25, 2005
Photo can be seen at:
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/bibb/photos/tombstones/linwood/kyles6595ph.jpg
Image file size: 97.2 Kb

Dr. J. Garfield Kyles

b: 24 March 1881

d: 3 October 1959


Additional Comments:
Except taken from "Climbing the Hill" a booklet by Mercer University students 
about exceptional citizens of the Pleasant Hill neighborhood in Macon, Georgia.

In Macon, Georgia there are many citizens in the Pleasant Hill community who 
are not world renowned, but have done many honorable things for the community 
to help shape it into something exceptional.  If it were not for these people 
of the Pleasant Hill area, Macon would not be what it is today, a thriving 
city that has grown and united over the years.  Although many of these 
citizens have long since passed, their memory has not and their legacy lives 
with the survivors who have been touched.  Dr. J. Garfield Kyles was one of 
these extraordinary people.  Dr. Kyles is still thought of of highly in the 
Pleasant Hill area and "in his commmunity".  Dr. Kyles was also known as a 
role model to many and one of the best statesmen of his time.  Dr. Kyles was a 
notable pharmacist and a superior leader in his community.  He was an ideal 
example of faith that helped to unite the community through his church, 
Tremont Temple, and has been thought of "as an angel sent by God".
Dr. Kyles childhood is somewhat of a mystery to the people of Macon.  It is 
unknown where he was born, who his parents were, and where he went to school.  
What is known is he was born on March 24, 1881.  He married Euphrasia Smith 
(buried beside him in Linwood cemetery) and the two of them had a beautiful 
daughter they named Hattie Kyles.  When he moved to Macon he had already 
obtained his doctorate in pharmacology, indicating he came from a high to 
middle class family, because during those times many people could not afford 
to go to college, but it is likely he went to Meharry Medicacl college in 
Tennessee or to Howard University in Washington, D.C..  These were the only 
two colleges for black people that were close by to attend.
Dr. Kyles was a very successful pharmacist from the Pleasant Hill community.  
His pharmacy also served as a store that had snacks, ice cream and a soda 
fountain.  His large success indicates his store was a popular spot in town 
where many could hang out and spend time with their friends.  Most, if not all 
of his business, came from the members of the Pleasant Hill community and the 
rest of his clientele were referred to him by Dr. Dyer of the local black 
hospital, St. Luke.  The pharmacy was located on Cotton Avenue, which is now 
Forsyth Street.  As he became older he had to move his pharmacy to his house 
and work from there.  He passed away on October 3, 1959 at the age of 78.

This portion of the pamphlet printed by the students at Mercer was written by 
Amanda Gonzalez.  What I took from her writing is not in it's entirety and 
there are copies of the booklet in the community and at Mercer to be enjoyed 
and information to learn about the citizens of this community.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/bibb/photos/tombstones/linwood/kyles6595ph.txt

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