Memorial Artwork

Sculptural Memorial

Reparative

Heath, John

Headstone of John Heath

John Heath, a retired janitor of Davidson College, passed away in Huntersville Hospital after years of living with congestive heart failure and renal system issues. At the time of his death he still resided in Davidson, in Brady's Alley along with his wife Bunie. Heath was preceded in death by his only son Sylvester Heath, whom he and his wife honored with a headstone calling him "Beloved Son." Heath's own headstone is positioned close to the Torrence Chapel African American Methodist (AME) Zion Church in its cemetery yard. Heath's funeral service was officiated by E.W. Hayes. Heath's remains were handled by the Morris Brothers (Bryant-Lytle-Young) Funeral home, who also held a viewing prior to the funeral service held at the Torrence Chapel Church. His widow and three siblings most likely funded his memorial headstone, although this is unknown. His funeral program was held on Sunday June 27th 1971 at Torrence Chapel AME Zion Church. However, Heath was an active community member. In 1958, he contributed to a local educational institution, Torrence Lytle High School yearbook. His memorial has most recently been updated following his widow's passing. Her name and birth year but not her death year are etched into the stone. A small metal placard provided by the funeral home has her name, birth-year and death year.

John Heath's headstone is made of a glossy finished gray granite, with tan colored text boxes. The headstone has few flourishes besides a corner trim of engraved flowers. The family name of Heath is centered, and below the first names of John to the left and Bunie to the right are listed. Below 'John' are his years of birth and death, but for Bunie only her birth year is listed. The funeral home of Bryant-Lytle-Young who also handled John's services provided a simple metal marker for Bunie's birth and death. The headstone also has some visible chipping on its front left corner. It is unclear whether age, routine lawn maintenance, or vandalism caused the damage.

"Heath/ John/ 1893-1971/ Bunie S. 1894-" On Plaque "Bunie S. Heath 1894-1981/ Bryant-Lytle-Young"

Heath, Bunie

Hayes, E.W.

Morris Brothers (Bryant-Lytle-Young)

1971

1945-1976: Era of Civil Rights Movement and resistance to Civil Rights Movement

Heath family

Davidson College; Davidson, North Carolina

Billy Akers, "Tribute To A Janitor," The Davidsonian, October 28, 1955, 4.

Headstone, John Heath, Torrence Chapel AME Zion Church, 1971. Pictured November 2023.

"Heath, 74, Succumbs," Statesville Record and Landmark, June 25, 1971.

Torrence-Lytle High School. The Trojan (Huntersville, NC: 1958), 54, Davidson College Archives.

Torrence Chapel AME Zion Church. "Our Church's History."