People

At Final Rest

Notable WRC burials include the following:

Thomas Jefferson “Jeff” Anderson (1853–1921), one of the first two Black men elected to Lynchburg City Council (1885)

Ota Benga (c.1885–1916), Batwa or Mbuti man from the Congo who was brought to Lynchburg to attend Virginia Theological Seminary & College after being exhibited at the Bronx Zoo (believed to be buried in WRC according to oral history)

Lillie Belle Dalton Gifford (c.1865–1944), one of the first four Black women who registered to vote in Lynchburg

Thomas R. Jefferson (1864–1940), popular caterer, railroad porter, local historian, and namesake of Jefferson Park in Dearington

Rev. Charles H. Johnson (1859–1932), Baptist minister and father of Fisk University President Charles S. Johnson

Joshua Jones (c.1867–1936), well-known street newspaper salesman featured in story recorded by ‘Cile Turner (1978)

Pvt. Pannell Rucker Jones (1898–1918), one of two Black World War I veterans recognized on Monument Terrace (“Died in France of wounds received in battle, October 20, 1918”)

Rev. George W. Pendleton (c.1887–1930), minister of St. Paul A.M.E. Church (Lynchburg)

Siblings of prominent journalist and author Irvine Garland Penn: brother Harry T. Penn (1872–1896) and sister Lizzie Scott Penn Hill (1869–1911)

A large number of African American professionals during the Jim Crow era were interred at WRC:

• Physicians Stepney B. Hill (1859–1909), William H. Roberts (1889–1938), and Kyle M. Pettis (1881–1967)

• William J. Merchant (1872–1931), proprietor of several businesses, owner of Merchant’s Hall (413 Jackson Street)

• Washington Scott (1869–1932), building contractor, carpenter, and plasterer

• Benjamin H. Scott (1892–1978), insurance and real estate agent, notary public

• Stephen H. Thornhill (c.1867–1936), owner of local barber shop

• Theodore K. Timbrook (1868–1927), undertaker and embalmer

The Virginia Seminary Connection

Because of its racial independence, WRC became closely associated with Virginia Theological Seminary & College, a progressive African American Baptist school in South Lynchburg. Many of the college’s faculty and administrators are interred there, including President Gregory W. Hayes (1865–1906), Rev. Dr. Frank P. Lewis (1904–1986), “Seminary Mother” Josephine Anderson (c.1862–1932), and Malinda Hayes (1899–1914) and Minnie Hayes Simms (1897–1919), daughters of Seminary presidents Gregory W. Hayes and Mary Hayes Allen.

Alexander & Matilda Blair

Alexander Blair (1853–1925) was the keeper or “superintendent” of White Rock Cemetery from about 1895 until his death in 1925. The Cemetery’s central driveway, Blair Street, was named in honor of his connection to the Cemetery and White Rock Hill neighborhood.

Alexander and his wife Matilda Franklin Blair (1852–1921) lived very close to the Cemetery at 2203 Luck Street. In addition to overseeing the Cemetery, Alexander held a variety of occupations throughout his life: ore bank laborer in Amherst County (1880), gardener and shoemaker (1900), produce “huckster” (or vendor) at the City Market (1910), and drayman for the City (1920). Matilda helped to raise their son Oscar Blair (1890–1953) and worked with Alexander as a produce vendor at the City Market.

Both Alexander and Matilda Blair have grave markers in the oldest section of the Cemetery.

Are you a descendant or relative of anyone buried in White Rock Cemetery? If so, please let us know! We are always interested in learning more about the cemetery and its residents, especially stories and photographs.