Headstone of Talmadge Otho Conner

Item

Legacies Classification
Memorial Artwork
Memorial Type
Sculptural Memorial
Memorial Context
Reparative
Memorialized Subject
Talmadge Conner portrait, 2003Conner, Talmadge Otho
Title
Headstone of Talmadge Otho Conner
Background and Context
Talmadge O. Conner Sr. died on June 3, 2003. Born on September 4th of 1921, he lived 81 years.
Mr. Conner is buried in Torrence Chapel AME Zion Church cemetery in Cornelius, North Carolina. Mr. Conner's gravestone recognizes his military service with the inscription of "PFC US Army Air Forces World War II." The Conner family paid for and attended the funeral service, which was conducted by Clyburn & Bigham Mortuary in Mooresville. Dr. Franklin Russell officiated the service.

The burial site of Mr. Conner lies on what appears to be the newer side of Torrence Chapel cemetery. The gravestones are adorned with flowers and gifts. His parents, Charlie and Bertha Conner both died in 1943 and are buried on the older side of the Torrence Chapel cemetery. Others with the last name "Conner” are also buried in this cemetery, but connections to Talmadge Conner are uncertain based on available documents. No signs of vandalism were visible. There is no evidence that Davidson recognized the passing of Mr. Conner in campus publications. Yet, descendants of Mr. Conner Sr. continued to work at Davidson College up until at least 2021, with the retirement of his daughter, Castella Conner.
Physical Description
Mr. Talmadge' s gravestone, a granite backing with a bronze plate on the front, lays flat on the ground. This bronze military grave marker is common. The layout of name, inscription, birth and death date, and the cross are standard for US military veterans. Unique to Mr. Conner' s gravesite is what surrounds the headstone. The perimeter of the burial site is lined with half-circular bricks.
Memorial Inscription
Talmadge 0. Conner Sr.
PFC US Army Air Forces
World War II
Sept 4 1921
June 3 2003
Creator/Participating Person(s)
Conner family
Date created, installed or dedicated
2003
Historical Period
2000-Present: Confederate Memorialization in the Era of Universities Studying Slavery and the Black Lives Matter Movement
Funded by
Conner family
Clyburn & Bigham Mortuary in Mooresville, NC
Location: Institution, City, State
Davidson College; Davidson, North Carolina
Learn More About this Subject
Statesville Record and Landmark (Statesville, North Carolina), June 4, 2003.
The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, North Carolina). June 6, 2003.

Position: 674 (10 views)