CENTENNIAL AFRO CEMETERY
Centennial, Panola County, TX

Contributed by Allee Simmons

Centennial Cemetery is located on FM 123 in Panola County in Centennial, Texas on the Keatchie-Marshall Hwy, about 1 ½ miles east of the Louisiana state line in Caddo Parish. This gravesite is adjacent to the white cemetery with the same name, on the east side.

In the beginning, the family and friends dug the graves, made homemade caskets and had walking processionals to the cemetery (later, the casket was pulled by mules). The deceased were buried the next day with their head facing east. This burial practice was used because most slaves felt they would obtain freedom after death and this position would cause them to be ready when the angel Gabriel would blow his trumpet at the resurrection.

They used broken plates, saucers, jars, and pitchers as head stones. At the gravesite service they sang songs like “Go Down Moses,” “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” and “Shine on Me.”

Starting in the late 1800’s, Centennial Cemetery has been the location of the annual May Day Reunion Celebration for many families of those who are buried in the cemetery. They have met annually to clean, decorate, repair, plant, place flowers, share food, and socialize.

The cemetery rapidly deteriorated after the death of the LZ Delaney and his brother Howard Delaney, the grandsons of George Delaney and Julie Bowman Delaney, who maintained the site. The groundskeeper now is Elijah Colliers, Jr. Where once the men brought scythes and hoes to chop the weeds, mowers now make quick work of the chore.

The Centennial Afro Cemetery formed a partnership with the Talbert Preservation Group, a National Heritage Foundation that sponsor preservation, genealogy and other national and community projects.

This preservation group is name after Matilda Talbert-DeLaney Perkins, the mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great, great grandmother, and the great, great, great grandmother of the majority of the deceased at Centennial Cemetery. One of the projects of The Talbert Preservation Group will assist in preserving the Centennial gravesite.

At one time this was a section of the larger Centennial Cemetery, having one side used only for white burials. The cemetery has been officially divided into two separate cemeteries, owned and maintained by two separate groups.

I worked together with family members to transcribe this cemetery. It is complete up to Nov 01, 2004 . You may contact me for more information about family history.

- Allee Simmons  

Centennial Afro Cemetery
P.O. Box 167365
Irving, TX 75016
972-255-8430

Total records = 132.

Adams, Beatrice, b. 05 Aug 1924, d. 1971, w/o Lessie Adams, Sr., child: Lessie Adams, Jr.
Adams, Brandy B., Jr., b. 17 Jan 1939, d. 30 Jul 1947, s/o Beatrice and Brandy Adams, Sr.
Adams, Brandy, Sr., b. 25 Dec 1899, d. 23 Dec 1983, s/o Correlia Holland and Richard Adam, children: Brandy B. Adams, Jr.
Adams, Brown, Sr., b. 27 Jun 1903, d. 23 Oct 1957
Adams, Correlia Holland, b. 1875, d. 1949, w/o Richard Adams, children: Caroline Mosley, TC Adams, Brandy Adams
Adams, Jeff Hollan, no dates, WWI, h/o Emma
Adams, Lessie Lee, Sr., b. 18 Jan 1907, d. 20 Nov 1960, h/o Beatrice, children: Lessie Adams, Jr.
Adams, Lessie, Jr., b. 02 Jan 1940, d. 23 Jun 1995, s/o Beatrice and Lessie Adams, Sr.
Adams, Robert (Sunny), no dates
Adams, T C, b 08 Aug 1909, d. 05 Apr 1985, c/o Correlia Holland and Richard Adam
Allen, Richard, b. 1876, d. 1932, h/o Correlia Holland, children: Caroline Mosley, TC Adams, Brandy Adams
Anderson, Jim, b. 08 Mar 1868, d. 1940, h/o Emma Josey, children: Pauline Anderson Young, Claudie Anderson Smith
Anderson, Lake, b. 1808, d. 1954
Bennett, Andrew, b. 23 Apr 1923, d. 23 Jul 1982, s/o Lorrine Cole and ??
Bennett, Lorrine Cole, no dates, d/o Duke Bowman and Calvin Cole, w/o ??, children: Andrew Bennett
Bolden, Lemerl Jackson, b. 18 Jul 1925, d. 05 Jul 2001, d/o Della Perkins and James Jackson, Sr., w/o Willie Leon Bolden
Bowman, Alton, b. 14 Jan 1926, d. 13 Feb 1995, s/o Allie Lee Walton and Jeff Bowman
Bowman, Brook, no dates, c/o Febby Martin and Josh Bowman
Bowman, Febby Martin, b. 27 May 1874, d. 27 Dec 1997, w/o Josh Bowman, children: Brook Bowman, Shirly Mae Bowman Colliers
Bowman, Pearly, b. 28 Feb 1915, d. 04 Jan 1981, s/o Susan Jenkins and Tom Bowman, children: Annie Jewel Lester, Betty Colliers
Bowman, R Z (Zeke), b. 1929, d. 2002, s/o ?? and Josha (Sharper) Bowman
Bowman, Susan Jenkins, no dates, w/o Tom Bowman, children: Pearly Bowman, Jeff Bowman, Joshua (Sharper) Bowman
Bowman, Tom, no dates, h/o Susan Jenkins, children: Pearly Bowman, Jeff Bowman, Joshua (Sharper) Bowman
Brown, John, no dates, (Uncle Fat Sam)
Buckingham, Eva, b. ?? Oct 1903, d. 15 Dec 1982, d/o Adline Josey and Jim Buckingham
Christian, Birdie Davis Delaney, b. 1910, d. 1969, d/o Frank Davis and ??, w/o #1 Eli Christian, Sr. #2 LZ Delaney, children: Eli Christian, Magie Christian, Dorothy Christian-Robertson
Christian, Eli, no dates, s/o Birdie Davis and Eli Christian, Sr., h/o Queen Ester Wallace
Christian, Queen Ester Wallace, b. 1931, d. 1992, d/o Odessa Pipkins and Ed Wallace, w/o Eli Christian
Cole, Cally, no dates
Cole, Calvin, b. 1884, d. 1979, s/o Duke Bowman, children: Mattie Cole Small, Lousia Cole, Martha Cole, Lorrine Cole Bennett
Cole, Louisa, b. 20 Sep 1894, d. 06 Aug 1965, d/o Duke Bowman and Calvin Cole
Cole, Martha, b. 05 Jul 1876, d. 1930, d/o Duke Bowman and Calvin Cole
Colliers, Abra, b. 30 Jun 1978, d. 03 Jun 1992, c/o ?? and Arthur Colliers
Colliers, Betty, b. 1936, d. 2003, d/o Pearly Bowman and Chester Colliers
Colliers, Diane, b. 25 Jan 1984, d. 25 Jan 1984, (baby) d/o Sarah Ragster and Elijah Colliers
Colliers, Matt, b. 15 Sep 1883, d. 12 Jul 1966, h/o #1 Shirley Mae Bowman #2 Pearl Thomas, children: Pankie B. Colliers, Ozie Colliers
Colliers, Ozie, b. 07 Dec 1917, d. 19 Jan 1942, c/o Shirley Mae Bowman and Matt Colliers
Colliers, Pearl Thomas Davis, b. 23 Jun 1902, d. 24 ??? 1979, w/o Matt Colliers
Colliers, Pinkie B., b. 12 Oct 1925, d. 12 Apr 1977, c/o Shirly Mae Bowman and Matt Colliers
Colliers, Sarah Ragster, b. 06 Nov 1951, d. 02 Jun 1994, w/o Elijah Colliers, Jr., children: Diane (baby) Colliers
Colliers, Shirley Mae Bowman, b. 15 Dec 1896, d. 12 Dec 1934, d/o Febby Martin and Josh Bowman, w/o Matt Colliers, children: Pinkie B. Colliers
Collins, Anthony, Jr., b. 24 Nov 1904, d. 26 Nov 1984, s/o Louanna Bowman and Anthony Collins, Sr., h/o Nellie Delaney, children: Robin Collins
Collins, Robin, b. 13 Sep 1943, d. 23 Jan 194?, c/o Nellie Delaney and Anthony Collins
Coushia, Laquite, b. 1952, d. 2004, s/o ?? and Lessie Adams, Jr.
Davis, Annie Mae Thomas, b. 25 Feb 1928 , d. 28 Apr 2002 , w/o Frank Davis
Davis, Asa, b. 11 Jun 1936 , d. 19 Dec 1955
Davis, Ellen, b. 26 Sep 1826 , d. ??
Davis, Emma L., b. 07 Sep 1900, d. 07 Apr 1976
Davis, Frank, Jr., b. 01 Nov 1949, d. 19 Oct 1969
Davis, Frank, Sr., b. 09 Feb 1924, d. 27 Jun 2003, s/o Jannie W. and ??, h/o Annie Mae Thomas, f/o Frank Davis, Jr.
Davis, Henry, b. ?? Jan 1864, d. ?? Jun 1864, s/o ?? and Asa Davis
Davis, Irene, b. 02 Jun 1910 , d. 20 Nov 1991 , d/o ?? and Andrew Davis, w/o Charles Saddle
Davis, Jannie W., b. 01 Nov 1896, d. 02 Jun 1989, mother of Frank Davis
Davis, Tyron, b. 25 Jun 1872, d. 1873, s/o ?? and Asa Davis
Delaney, (Twins), b. ??, d. 1921, children of Sallie Morgan and Alex Delaney
Delaney, Add, no dates, c/o Julie Bowman and George Delaney
Delaney, Alton, no dates, s/o Julie Bowman and George Delaney, h/o Buna Womack, children: George Delaney

Delaney, Eunice Ekins, b. 26 ??? 1911, d. ??, d/o ?? and Ekins, w/o Silas (Dee) Delaney
Delaney, Everline Buckingham, b. 28 Dec 1897, d. 23 Sep 1965, d/o Adline Josey and Jim Buckingham, 2 stones, w/o #1 Lee (Leon) Delaney, children: Earline Delaney, Lerline Delaney, Chad Delaney, Lee (baby) Delaney, LZ Delaney, James Paul Delaney, Howard Delaney, Percy V. Delaney,
Delaney, Frankie Joe, b. 16 Apr 1939, d. 12 Oct 1993, s/o Buna Womack and Alton Delaney, h/o Clara Lee
Delaney, G D, b. 30 Oct 1809, d. 17 May 19??, c/o Julie Bowman and George Delaney
Delaney, George, b. ?? Feb 1866, d. 08 Jul 1954, s/o Matilda Talbert/Tolbert Delaney Perkins and Alex/Alexander/Elex Delaney, h/o #1 Julie Bowman #2 Virginia Grant, children: George Delaney, Eva Delaney Pipkins, MT/Thomas Delaney, Will Delaney, Lee (Leon) Delaney, Alton Delaney
Delaney, George, b. 15 Dec 1930, d. 18 Jul 1986, s/o Buna Womack and Alton Delaney, h/o Josey Rhine, children: Frankie Delaney Pools
Delaney, Harriet Piper, b. 1899, d. 1996, d/o Drain Piper and ??, w/o M T Thomas Delaney
Delaney, Howard, b. 20 Dec 1916, d. 04 Jun 1997, s/o Everline Buckingham and Lee (Leon) Delaney
Delaney, James Paul, Jr., b. 1947, d. 1947, s/o Mattie Pearl Saddle and James Paul Delaney, Sr.
Delaney, James Paul, Sr., b. 05 Oct 1924, d. 10 Dec 2000, s/o Everline Buckingham and Lee (Leon) Delaney, h/o, #1 Mattie Pearl Saddle #2 Lora Dell Maiden, children: James Delaney, Jr.
Delaney, Julie Bowman, b. 1878, d. 27 Dec 1918, w/o George Delaney, 2 stones, children: Alton Delaney, MT Delaney, Will Delaney, GD Delaney, Eva Delaney Pipkins, Lee (Leon) Delaney, Add Delaney,
Delaney, L Z, b. 24 Jul 1914, d. 10 Dec 1974, c/o Everline Buckingham and Lee (Leon) Delaney, h/o Birdie Davis Christian-Delaney
Delaney, Lee (Leon), b. 29 Aug 1894, d. 04 Feb 193?, s/o Julie Bowman and George Delaney, #1 Everline Buckingham, children: Earline Delaney, Lerline Delaney, Chad Delaney, Lee (baby) Delaney, LZ Delaney, James Paul Delaney, Howard Delaney, Percy V. Delaney,
Delaney, Lora Dell Maiden, b. 15 Feb 1930, d. 20 Jul 1997, d/o Till and Earl Maiden, w/o James Paul Delaney
Delaney, M T (Thomas), b. 1897, d. 1971, s/o Julie Bowman and George Delaney, h/o Harriet Piper
Delaney, Mary Strong, b. 18 Jul 1986, d. 24 Jul 1990, s/o Morah Small and David Strong, w/o #1 Will Delaney
Delaney, Ola, no dates, c/o Jannie Johnson and Silas Delaney, spouse of Lapp Kelly
Delaney, Percy V., b. 03 Jun 1932, d. 14 Jul 1992, s/o Everline Buckingham and Lee (Leon) Delaney, h/o, #1 Gladys Latson #2 Gladys
Delaney, Silas (Dee), b. 13 May 1881, d. 22 Apr 1971, s/o Matilda Talbert/Tolbert Delaney Perkins and Alex Delaney, h/o, #1 Eunice Ekins #2 Avis Turner, children: Warrion Delaney, Ola Delaney
Delaney, Virginia Grant, b. 14 Jan 1884, d. 06 Jan 1974, d/o Emily Grant and Earnest Grant, w/o George Delaney
Delaney, Warrion, b. 20 Jan 1920, d. 12 Feb 1953, s/o Avis Turner and Silas Delaney
Delaney, Will, b. 22 Jul 1898, d. 30 May 1997, s/o Julie Bowman and George Delaney, h/o Mary Strong
Eakin, ??, b. 27 Sep 1900, d. 26 Aug ????
Eakin, Eville, b. ??, d. 05 Oct 1900
Eakin, Landues, b. ??, d. ?? Sep 1890
Eakin, Net, no dates
Edmond, Rodrick, b. 29 Nov 1992, d. 12 Jul 1994
Field, James, b. 02 Feb 1914, d. 01 Apr 1939, s/o Betty Josey and Doc Field
Glover, Orr Jean, b. 25 Oct 1936, d. 19 Dec 1955, c/o Mary Delaney Glover and Lee Glover
Harris, Jewel Perkins, b. 08 Nov 1921, d. 05 Oct 1970, s/o Annie Johnson and Will Perkins, w/o Foster Harris

Holland, Doris Ann Delaney, b. Jan 26 1964, d. 4 June 2005  d/o Algie Delaney and Dorthy Walton, h/o Ozell Holland
Jackson, Della Perkins, b. 1885, d. 1968, s/o Matilda Talbert Delaney and Albert Perkins, w/o James Jackson, Sr., children: James Jackson, Jr., Lemerl Jackson Bolden, Annie Bell Jackson Sloan
Jackson, James, Jr., b. ?? Jul 1923, d. 10 Jan 1992, s/o Della Perkins and James Jackson, Sr.
Jackson-Mitchell, Beatrice, b. 27 Aug 1907, d. 04 Sep 1961, s/o Annie Johnson and James Jackson, Sr., w/o Austin Mitchell
Joseph, Robert, b. 31 Jan 1921, d. 18 Jun 1977, s/o Jannie Johnson and Earnest Joseph
Josey, (Joseph), Everlyn, b. ??, d. ?? Sep 1916, w/o Crocket Josey, children: Adline Josey, Earnest Josey
Josey, Adline, b. 1874, d. ?? May 1960, s/o Everlyn Josey (Joseph) and Crocket Josey (Joseph), w/o #1 Jim Buckingham, #2 Burns #2, #3 Foster, children: Everline Buckingham Delaney, Eva Buckingham
Josey, Crocket, no dates, h/o Everline Josey, children: Adline Josey, Earnest Josey
Josey, Earnest, b. ??, d. 1950, s/o Everlyn Josey (Joseph) and Crocket Josey (Joseph), h/o Jannie Johnson, children: Robert Joseph
Josey, Jannie Johnson, b. 1885, d. 1952, d/o Rachel and Robert (Bob) Johnson, w/o Earnest Josey, children: Robert Joseph, Annie Bell Adams-Wesley
Lester, Annie Jewel, b. ??, d. 2000, d/o Pearly Bowman and ??
Mitchell, Austin, b. 1906, d. 1954
Mosley, Caroline, b. 15 Mar 1885, d. 31 Jul 1957, d/o Correlia Holland and Richard Adams
Perkins, Leonard, b. Aug 1907, d. Dec 1969, s/o Erie Bound and Will Perkins,Shirley Moon
Pipkins, Eva Delaney, b. 20 Jul 1889, d. 28 Mar 1932, d/o Julie Bowman and George Delaney, w/o Jive Pipkins
Pools, Frankie Delaney, b. 23 Jan 1954, d. 30 Nov 2002, d/o Josey Rhine and George Delaney, w/o Charlie Pools
Rhine, Juanita A., b. 17 Jul 1943, d. 26 Oct 1999, d/o ?? and Lessie Adams, Jr., w/o Sidney Rhine
Robinson, Dorothy Christian, no dates, d/o Birdie Davis and Eli Christian, Sr., w/o Leo Robinson, children: Lois Marie Robinson
Robinson, Lois Marie, b. 13 May 1946, d. 06 Apr 1995, d/o Dorothy Christian and Leo Robinson
Simmons, Lee, Sr., b. 14 Apr 1919, d. 20 Mar 1996, s/o Besy Alexander and Henry Simmons, h/o Alene Simmons
Slade, Ella, b. 24 Feb 1870, d. 09 May 1887
Sloan, Annie Bell Jackson, b. 18 Sep 1921, d. 25 Jan 1988, s/o Della Perkins and James Jackson, Sr., w/o Moses C. Sloan
Small, Mattie Cole, b. 1881, d. 10 Mar 1960, d/o Duke Bowman and Calvin Cole
Small, Miko Shantell, b. 13 Apr 1988, d. 03 Jun 1994, c/o Debra Jones and Tryon Small, Sr.
Small, Tyron, Jr., b. 11 Jul 1982, d. 03 Jun 1994, s/o Debra Jones and Tryon Small, Sr.
Small, Vada Perkins, b. 02 Apr 1913, d. 11 Sep 1985, d/o Erie Bound and Will Perkins, w/o Williams Small
Spencer, Igelious, b. 1919, d. 1979, s/o Margaret Elmore and Earnest Spencer, h/o Willie Mae Delaney

Spencer, Willie Mae Delaney, b. 04 Jul 1919, d. 31 Aug 2006, d/o George and Virginia Delaney, w/o Igelious Spencer
Stanton, Coree Perkins, b. 15 Sep 1910, d. 14 Oct 1930, c/o Annie Johnson and Will Perkins, w/o Alton Stanton
Strong, Clara Collins, no dates, d/o Louanna Bowman and Anthony Collins, Sr., w/o Corna Strong, children: Lonnie Strong, R (Raymond) Strong, Naman Strong
Strong, Cornel, b. 10 Apr 1896, d. 28 May 1916, s/o Josey and Eakin
Strong, Lonnie, no dates, s/o Clara Collins and Corna Strong
Strong, Naman, no dates, s/o Clara Collins and Corna Strong
Strong, R (Raymond), no dates, s/o Clara Collins and Corna Strong
Thomas, Charles Ray, b. 17 Mar 196?, d. 03 Aug 1995
Thomas, Emery, b. 14 Feb 1902, d. 11 Aug 1991
Thomas, George, b. 02 Mar 1934, d. 20 Feb 1978
Tilman, Emery, Jr., b. 01 May 1934, d. ?? Sep 1934, s/o Willanna Perkins and Emery Tilman, Sr.
Tilman, Emery, Sr., b. 14 Feb 1902, d. 11 Aug 1991, h/o Willanna Perkins, children: Emery Tillman, Jr.
Tilman, Wilan?? Perkins, b. 09 Mar 1904, d. 18 Dec 1979, d/o Annie Johnson and Will Perkins, w/o Emery Tilman, Sr., children: Emery Tillman, Jr.
Turner, Rhonda, b. 1857, d. 08 Dec 1940
Wesley, Annie Bell Adams, b. 1909, d. 1951, d/o Jannie Johnson and Jeff Adams, w/o Wesley
Wesley, Mary Ann, b. 1880, d. 1967, child: Wesley
Williams, Bessie, b. 30 Aug 1872, d. 05 Nov 1965
Williams, Little Lee, no dates
Williams, Martha, b. 08 Aug 1880, d. 10 Feb 1970, Brother of Scott Williams
Williams, Mary H., b. 23 Apr 1946, d. 24 Dec 1962, s/o Nelzie Tilman and John Williams