Headstone of James Henry "HuJohn" Donaldson
Item
">
- Legacies Classification
- Memorial Type
- Memorial Context
- Memorialized Subject
- Title
- Background and Context
- Physical Description
- Memorial Inscription
- Creator/Participating Person(s)
- Date created, installed or dedicated
- Historical Period
- Funded by
- Location: Institution, City, State
- Learn More About this Subject
-
Memorial Artwork
-
Sculptural Memorial
-
Headstone of James Henry "HuJohn" Donaldson
-
James Henry "HuJohn" Donaldson Sr. died on November 5th at the Charlotte Memorial Hospital from an unexplained illness. While his spouse, Eugenia, had passed earlier in 1977, Donaldson's remaining 6 children attended the funeral services at Reeves AME Temple Zion Church. Long and Son Mortuary held a closed casket visitation. Donaldson is buried at the Christian Aid Society Cemetery, adjacent to Davidson College campus, in Davidson, North Carolina.
The memorial of the Donaldson couple was created out of the care of their children. The headstone has an "Ogee top" and is made of marble. It contains an image of a couple embracing in front of the sun in between the couples' names. The inscription below this image states, "Beyond the Sunset". Such symbolism is used to recognize the relationship of James and Eugenia Donaldson even into death as their gravestone is one. After examining the cemetery, it was found that this marker resides on the campus on which James worked. This cemetery was poorly maintained, and shoddily recognized. It is significant to note that this graveyard was built for the African American community of this time. Even visiting now, there were few proper pathways, difficult terrain, and other issues that made the graveyard unwelcoming. The grave itself was decorated with fresh flowers placed on it.
-
In terms of physical structure, the gravestone has a "serpentine top" made of marble. On the gravestone, an image of a couple embracing in front of the sun is shown in between both James Henry and Eugenia's names. The inscription below this image reads "Beyond the Sunset". Such symbolism is used to recognize the relationship of James and Eugenia Donaldson even into death as their gravestone is one.
-
James H.
Nov. 25, 1899
May 2, 1981
Eugenia A.
Apr. 18, 1900
Apr. 8, 1977
Beyond the sunset
Donaldson
-
Children of Eugenia and James Donaldson
-
Christian Aid Society
-
1981
-
Children of Eugenia and James Donaldson
-
Marjean Torrence, “Two Generations Serving Davidson College,” The Gazette, April 22, 1987, clipping, Davidson College Archives and Special Collections.
"He Worked at the College 60 years," The Charlotte News, May 7, 1981.
Position: 309 (149 views)