We the Descendant Community Honor and Celebrate Memories of our family
Reclaiming, Restoring, and Preserving this historic African American Cemetery
Vandalism of the infant memorial sign march 2025
Infant Memorial Sign
Infant Memorial Sign Vandalized at the Cemetery
Infant Memorial Sign Removed from the Cemetery
To honor the infants buried at the Oak Grove-Johnston Cemetery, we placed this sign among the beautiful flowers on Feb. 16, 2025. In celebration of their lives (gone to soon) and Black History, we honored them. Thanks to Signs Unlimited in Graham for making this beautiful sign. We support businesses in the City of Graham.
Infant Memorial Sign Removed from the Cemetery
Infant Memorial Sign Vandalized at the Cemetery
Infant Memorial Sign Removed from the Cemetery
On Sunday, February 23, a friend of the descendant of Oak Grove Colored - Johnston Cemetery visited the cemetery to see the beautiful memorial infant sign. The sign had been stolen. Someone must have felt guilty or knew that we would be returning soon and returned the sign. We are praying for the person that took the sign and returned it.
Infant Memorial Sign Vandalized at the Cemetery
Infant Memorial Sign Vandalized at the Cemetery
Infant Memorial Sign Vandalized at the Cemetery
On Saturday, March 1, 2025, the descendants and the Texas Tech Archaeology team found the infant memorial sign was damaged by someone. It was not weather related. The vandalism of the sign happened before the recent storm. A heavy object was needed to dint the sign and break the angel wing. The vandalism was reported and shown to a Graham Police Officer on March 1, 2025.
Will these bones live Again?
Honoring Our Loved Ones at Oak Grove Colored - Johnston Cemetery
The Lord is there! The Lord wanted to bring attention to those bones. Hope is not gone! The Lord wanted this sacred space restored to a place of dignity. The Lord wanted the same care and love given to the Oak Grove Cemetery (south) across the street to be given to this African American cemetery.
The spirit of the Lord summoned me to speak for these bones. Therefore, I refused to let the cemetery remain with road equipment, a metal container, large tree branches, trash, and other debris on that sacred space. The City and County officials denied ownership of the cemetery land.
I refused to allow to accept that no one knew the ownership of a parcel of land located within the city limits of Graham, Texas. I refused to let those in power to continue to neglect this African American cemetery. I refused to let the official name of the cemetery "Oak Grove Colored Cemetery" remain hidden. I refused to let a person with power minimize my status as a descendant and tell me that I was only an interested party and that my "role" with the cemetery was over. He didn't accept my role in God's plan.
I had yielded to the Lord's instructions. As Charles Wesley wrote in his hymn, "A Charge to keep I have, To Serve the present age, My calling to fulfill , O may it all my powers engage, To do my Master's will. By Faith assured, I will obey." Therefore, I Rev. Vanessa A. Sims have gathered together descendants to speak and live for the bones that were mostly forgotten.
Will these bones live again? They will live again through us " the descendants". We will speak for them! We will work to ensure their sacred place is restored and recognized in the City of Graham, the State of Texas and nationally. We have worked to reclaim their sacred space. We will work to preserve their sacred space. We have and will continue to work alongside those who value and respect this sacred space.
The bones interred at this sacred place speak to the stories of what was once their life. Their important history! Black History! American History! They speak to what is happening now (restoration.) They speak to what will happen in the future (preservation.)
"And the desolate land shall be tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the sight of all that passed by. And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like a garden of Eden; You shall know that I the Lord build the ruined places and plant that that was desolate. I the Lord have spoken it, and I will do it." (Ezekiel 37: 34-36)
We the descendant community are thankful for the support of Dr. Tamra Walter and the Texas Tech Archaeology Team, the members of the Young County Historical Commission, Rev. and Mrs.Talton Cooper, Ray and Vonda Warner, the Graham residents and businesses that have supported us during this restorative work. The Lord has called us to gather his people to this sacred space for restoration, reconciliation, prayer, and fellowship. We invite others to join us in restoring, preserving, and protecting this sacred space. Their lives mattered! This is African American history. This is American history. This is the City of Graham's history. It was time for a change. The Lord has breathed new life into this sacred place.
Oak Grove Colored Cemetery December 4, 1923
Addie Graham donated a parcel of land 50 X 200 feet out of the Ben Hill Survey on December 4, 1923 for the specific purpose of burying colored people.
The cemetery is on US 380 Bypass and Texas 16 in Graham, Texas.
The cemetery name on death certificates are Oak Grove Colored, Graham Black & Graham Colored.
Mary Ann Coleman
Mary Ann Coleman may have been the first person buried in the Oak Grove Colored Cemetery. She and her family has been identified with the history of Graham. The Graham Leader newspaper article on July 2, 1925 that she and her family were the only Negroes in Graham.
Reclaiming, Restoring, and Preserving
History Can't Be Erased! This is Black History!
An Attempt to Erase History
"Find a grave" previously added the original name to it's virtual cemetery memorial so that ancestors can find their loved based on the name of the cemetery on death certificates. For some unknown reason, they have changed their search engine to only include the unofficial and honorary name W. P. Johnston.
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Preservation
On May 9, 2024, the cemetery was designated as a Texas Historic Cemetery.
Descendant Community Contact: Rev. Vanessa A. Sims
Rev. Vanessa A. Sims
This site is sponsored by the Descendants of Oak Grove Colored Cemetery - Graham Colored - Johnston Cemetery in Graham, Texas
