Mobile Walking Tour
Section 145
Burial 2: Mr. Alfred Holman (1867-1923)
Mr. Alfred Holman was a pioneer Black Hook Sponger in Tarpon Springs. Census records show he was married to Susie Holman (also buried at Rose Hill Cemetery) and had a daughter named Margaret. Mr. Holman sponsored other Black Hook Spongers from the Bahamas - most notably Frank Holmes.
Section 95
Burial 151: Rev. Jacob Reece (1858-1950)
The Reece family is one of the oldest known families buried at the Rose Hill Cemetery. Rev. Reece was married with three children. The grave of his young child Claudye is next to him. Conch shells are found at his site to honor is African American roots.
Section 29
Burial 244: Ms. Mahalia Jones (1856-1924)
Ms. Mahalia Jones was an original member of the Rose Hill Association, respected midwife, and founding member of the Mr. Mariah A.M.E. Church.
Section 29
Burial 247: Mr. John H Sands (1886-1952)
Mr. John H Sands was Florida's first black lumber inspector and grader.
Section 43
Burial 205: Richard Quarls (Christopher Columbus) (1833-1925)
Mr. Quarls was born a slave in South Carolina. He changed his name to Christopher Columbus after serving in the Civil War and became a prominent business man in Tarpon Springs, FL.
Section 102
Burial 112: Mr. Morris Lofton
Mr. Morris Lofton was known to own two things, his mule and his bed. He died before his mule and was therefore buried with his bed.
Section 156
Burial 56: Mr. Elize Green (1888-1949)
Elize Green worked in the lumber industry and served in WWI. According to his registration records he was missing his 3rd and 4th fingers on his right hand. Some how Elzie ended up buried in the children's section and often plays with our electronic equipment.
Section 197
Burial 442: Mr. Wilbert Brooks (1898-1958)
Mr. Wilbert Brooks was the father of one of the founding families of Tarpon Springs. He was the first African American to own his own sponge boat and an African American pioneer sponge diver.
Section 116
Burial 114: Mr. Grant Malone (1894-1953)
Grant Malone served in the 157th Depot Brigade in WWI. The brigade was responsible for receiving and organizing recruits, providing them with uniforms and equipment, initial military training, and sending them to France. The brigade also processed and discharged WWI soldiers when they returned.
Section 123
Burial 100: Ms. Ruth Lambright (1919-1996)
Ms. Ruth Lambright was an educator in Pinellas County for approximately 30 years. She was educated at the Union Academy and received her undergraduate degree at Florida A&M. She received her graduate degree at Columbia University, New York. Ms. Lambright began teaching at the Union Academy, the only African American school in Pinellas County, in 1937.
Section 75
Burial 141: Mr. George Dorsett Jr. (1911-1995)
Mr. George Dorsett Jr. is a WWII veteran and husband to Nettie Dorsett. George has several brothers (WWII veteran Tommy Dorsett & Peter Dorsett) and several sisters (Amelia & Winsey) also buried at the cemetery. Mr. Dorsett worked as a truck driver and caregiver.
Section 13
Burial 226: Mr. Arthur Hayes Sr. (1894-1992)
Mr. Arthur Hayes served in the United States Army during WWI. He was employed as a railroad express carrier for the United States Postal Service and a press operator for New York Cleaners. He was a member of the American Legion Philmore Baker Post and a life long resident of Tarpon Springs, Florida.
Section 19
Burial 191: Sam Bailey (1895-1960)
Sam Bailey served in the 807th Pioneer Infantry unit - famous for their heroic efforts during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive at the end of WWI. After the war, records show he worked as a sponger.
Section 181
Burial 388: Joe Welsh (1912-1961)
Joe Welsh served in the 596th Field Artillery BN. This unit participated in the Pacific campaign and the recapturing of Morotai Island. As a civilian he worked as a sponger.
Section 130
Burial 711: Stella Henderson (1898-1986)
Stella Henderson was remembered for her devout faith and, "keeping the neighborhood kids in line. She often sang the lyrics to Bringing in the Sheaves" (Quarterman, 2020). Stella was a cook for a private family.
Section 129
Burial 712: Dr. E. J. Moses (1897-1970)
Ernest Joseph Moses served in WWI as a private in the 365 Remount Squadron. This unit was responsible for training and caring for the horses in WWI. There is no documentation of his "Dr." title but it might be associated with veterinarian medicine.
Section 139
Burial 29, 30: The Knox Family
PL Knox worked at the local Coca-Cola bottling plant. She was married to Clifton Knox. Her sister Ann Mclin was a local school teacher. Her brother in-law was a school principal.
Section West of 220
Burial 66: Sylvester Lewis (1922-1993)
Sylvester Lewis (also known as Daly) served in WWII. As a civilian he worked as a sponger in Tarpon Springs.
Section 129
Burial 719: Angeline Gavin (1880-1960)
Census records show Angeline worked as a laundress for a private home in Tarpon Springs. When cleaning headstones in the vicinity Angeline said, "me" to ensure her headstone was cleaned as well!
Section 128
Burial 718: Frank Gavin (1905-1954)
Frank Gavin, son of Angeline Gavin, served in the 41st Engineer Regiment in WWII. A photo from the National Archives (535822) shows this group during a parade at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina.
