Death as Mobility

Acknowledging the "transition" or metaphorical movement from one existence to the next.

Subject of Research: Record of Deaths and Burials Among the Freedmen of Alexandria, VA 1866
Story: These rosters carefully document the transition from life to death of the Freedmen and their families. The log notes many “infant child” deaths and some notations of “Buried Distitute.”
Source: 1863-1869, Arlington County, Library of Virginia, Reel 269; “Record of Deaths and Burials among the Freedmen in Alexandria, Va.”; https://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/local/results_all.asp?CountyID=VA015#MAR https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1bzsnvDBNvVgROGDEIlr2dJkbsFVFPNuV?usp=drive_link

Subject of Research: Reported Deaths on May 27, 1889
Source: National Endowment for Humanities - Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers

Subject of Research: Viola P. Chase Funeral Program
Story: Program for the funeral of Viola P. Chase, held at Calloway United Methodist Church on Tuesday, June 18, 1968, and officiated by Rev. Douglas Moore.

Over one hundred programs from funerals the Alston’s attended throughout Virginia and the Washington DC area. They contain information about the deceased’s life and family, and many include photographs; the deceased were part of the area’s Black community.

Birdie (1919-2020) and Mable (nee Shirley) Alston (1920-2017) were married neighborhood activists and prominent community members in the Halls Hill/Highview Park area. The Alston’s came to Arlington in 1944 and settled in Halls Hill in 1947.
People: Birdie (1919-2020) and Mable (nee Shirley) Alston (1920-2017)
Place: Hall's Hill
Source: The Personal Papers of Birdie and Mabel Alston, 1905-2019; https://libraryarchives.arlingtonva.us/Detail/objects/7129; https://libraryarchives.arlingtonva.us/Detail/collections/3375

Subject of Research: Jerome C. Gray Funeral Program
Story: Program for the funeral of Jerome C. Gray, held at Mt. Olive Baptist Church on Thursday, November 16, 2006 and officiated by Rev. James E. Victor, Jr.

Funeral Programs located in “The Personal Papers of Birdie and Mabel Alston, 1905-2019.” Series 1, Funeral Programs, are over one hundred programs from funerals the Alston’s attended throughout Virginia and the Washington DC area. They contain information about the deceased’s life and family, and many include photographs; the deceased were part of the area’s Black community.

Birdie (1919-2020) and Mable (nee Shirley) Alston (1920-2017) were married neighborhood activists and prominent community members in the Halls Hill/Highview Park area. The Alston’s came to Arlington in 1944 and settled in Halls Hill in 1947
People: Jerome C. Gray
Place: Mt. Olive Baptist Church
Event: Funeral
Source: https://libraryarchives.arlingtonva.us/Detail/objects/7461; https://libraryarchives.arlingtonva.us/Detail/collections/3375

Subject of Research: The Death of William F. Gardner
Story: FATALLY SHOT: William F. Gardner a colored laborer, twenty-six years, was shot and fatally wounded at Arlington yesterday afternoon bybard Ross, a colored constable from whom Gardner was trying to escape while under arrest. Gardner had armed himself with a knife and was rushing at the constable to kill him when the officer fired. The wounded man was taken to the Emergency Hospital, Washington. Gardner is a single man, and lived with his mother in the county near the cemetery. About a month ago he was sent to jail in this city upon a minor charge, it being thought at the time that he was mentally irresponsible. The ball from Ross's pistol entered Gardner's body near the heart,
aud his recovery is impossible.

Subject of Research: Funeral Program for Luvenia Barnes
Story: Program for the funeral of Luvenia Barnes, held at Calloway United Methodist Church on Thursday, December 21, 1978, and officiated by Rev. William Vicks.
Source: https://libraryarchives.arlingtonva.us/Detail/objects/7126

Subject of Research: Funeral Program for Viola Funches
Story: Program for the funeral of Viola C. Funches, held at Calloway United Methodist Church on Saturday, November 22, 1975, and officiated by Rev. Carl W. Renick.
Source: https://libraryarchives.arlingtonva.us/Detail/objects/7140

Subject of Research: Funeral Program for Evelyn Syphax
Story: Program for the funeral of Evelyn Reid Syphax, held at Mount Olive Baptist Church on Sunday and Monday, March 19-20, 2000.
Source: https://libraryarchives.arlingtonva.us/Detail/objects/7416