Historic Oak Lawn Cemetery

09/11/2026

Initial research concerning the of Lewis and Priscilla Joyner has revealed some interesting facts. It appears that both Lewis and Priscilla's roots trace to Nash county, North Carolina, in and around Middleton, Nashville, and Rocky Mount. The couple married in 1874, and moved from Nash County to the Suffolk area around 1890. They were the parents of the following children:

(1) Frank Lewis Joyner (b. ca. 1876)
(2) Hettie Joyner Wright (ca. 1878-1913, wife of Charles Wright)
(3) G. Annie Joyner Wright (b. 1877,, wife of Baldie Archibald Wright)
(4) Hyman Lewis Joyner (1879-1964, husband of Sarah E. Jones)
(5) Mamie Joyner Randall (ca. 1887-1914, wife of Willie Randall)
(6) Eliza Joyner Bullock (1888-1967, wife of Sydney Bullock)
(7) Harry Ford Joyner (1890-1960)
(8.) David Joyner (1891-1912)
(9) Elizabeth Joyner Bullock (1897-1919, wife of Rev. Frank Leon Bullock of Enfield, Halifax County, North Carolina)
(10) Ida Joyner (ca. 1897-1916)
(11) Priscilla Joyner (ca. 1906-1920)

So far, we've documented at least ten members of the family recorded with burials n Oak Lawn Cemetery, including: Lewis (d. 1926), Priscilla (d. 1944), daughters Hettie (d. 1913), Mamie (d. 1914), Elizabeth (d. 1919), Ida (d. 1916), and Priscilla (d. 1920), and sons Hyman Lewis (d. 1964), Harry Ford (d. 1960), and David (d. 1912).

The family had an indelible impact on the greater Suffolk community. Matriarch Priscilla Joyner was a civic leader and member of St. Paul's Baptist Church. In 1952, members of the church organized a local chapter of the Negro Garden Club of Virginia in her name. The statewide organization held among their core values issues of social welfare for the African American community, including "home improvement, community improvement, improving race relations, and recreation and creative self-expression" (The UncommonWealth, LVA).

The above represents about seven hours of research, so if we listed incorrect information, please let us know! We'll be heading out to Oak Lawn tomorrow for additional work, but we'll definitely take a closer look at the Joyner Family plot. :-)

09/09/2026

We recently received our first official request from a descendant of Oak Lawn , a member of the Crocker Family. With our database and GPS coordinates, we confirmed the burial of one ancestor, provided a photo of the gravestone, and forwarded additional information on the burial of her spouse.

The next challenge: the full documentation of the Lewis and Priscilla Joyner family of Rocky Mount/Nash County, North Carolina, whom we *think* is represented by this broken, concrete family monument cleared by volunteers. Update coming tomorrow...

09/09/2026

The (possible) family plot of Mr. William Wesley (or Wesley William) Burwell (1888-1994), retired cook and painter from Granville and Warren counties, North Carolina. William was the son of Osborne Burwell (ca. 1838-1911), and Leathy (Lethy) Davis (b. ca. 1838), and the husband of Cora E. Parks (1882-1953) of Murfreesboro, Hertford County, North Carolina. William and Cora were the parents of Lawrence Burwell (1910-1914), Alethia Burwell (1912-1999), Arleas Burwell Harris White (1912-1976), Wellington Burwell (1914-1917), WWII veteran Vincent Alston Burwell (1917-2007), and Waddell Burwell (1921-1999). The plot may contain the graves of William, Cora, and their two sons Lawrence and Wellington. (Photo: Nadia Orton, September 7, 2026).

08/28/2026

Finding Mr. James Bandy

For years, the gravestone of James Bandy was something of a mystery. I first noticed the granite grave marker in 2018. It seemed a little out of place compared to other burials in Oak Lawn, and I couldn't locate any information about a "Jim" or "James" Bandy who passed away around 1920 buried in Oak Lawn. I hoped to meet family or relatives in the cemetery, but had no luck. This week, I finally realized that the date on the stone, June 12, 1920, might not refer to the date of death, but a date of birth. With a little research, I think I've identified the right person.

The Bandy Family hails from Edgecombe and Halifax Counties in North Carolina. James Bandy was born in Rocky Mount (Edgecombe County), the son of William Turner Bandy (b. ca. 1870), a farmer, of Edgecombe County, N. C., and Miss Lottie Ward (ca. 1870-1930).

Records note James Bandy as a resident of Suffolk by the 1940s. He married Miss Allease Jones, daughter of of William Jones and Maggie Warren, in 1946. By 1950, the couple was documented in a residence on Wellons Street, with James listed as a laborer in a saw mill. Alease passed away in 1969, and was interred in the family cemetery in Isle of Wight County, Virginia. James married Miss Christine R. Copeland in 1973.

Mr. James Bandy passed away on June 14, 1984. Graveside services were held June 18th, with the Crocker Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

08/28/2026

One day, perhaps an entrance like this could be created for Oak Lawn. Photo: Yorktown National Cemetery, Yorktown, Virginia. Photo: Nadia Orton, May 19, 2015

08/27/2026

Ravine behind Oak Lawn Cemetery. Photo: Nadia Orton

08/24/2026

*Broken gravestones, like the one placed in honor of Arlethia Spellman, should be thoroughly documented, but should also be left in the location in which they are found until the gravesite is officially identified (if possible). Any and all repair or resetting work should be performed by a specialist.*

08/21/2026

08/21/2026

African American Oystermen historical highway marker, Hobson, 2010. Photo: Nadia Orton