Cemetery Name: Champion Cemetery (southeast corner of
Hilcrest Memorial Gardens)
Street: 1700 South Ocoee Street
City: Cleveland
County: Bradley
State: TN
Zip: 37311
Land Type: Both Public and Private
Status: Inactive
Number of graves: 10
Oldest grave: prior to 1851
Records: Yes
Inventory: Yes
Owner: Unknown
Location
Ernest Lafayette Ross recorded this cemetery in both of his books
"Historical Cemetery Records of Bradley Co. TN, Vol. 1 and
2". Vol. 2, Copyright 1973, Library of Congress Catalog Card No.
73-75556.
Description
There are only two marked graves, Frances and William Champion,
1851 and 1854 death dates. At least eight others were at one time
marked with stones. Theirs were the oldest dates of birth recorded in
the Bradley County Cemeteries. The land was formerly owned by William
and Frances Champion. It is about two hundred feet into the pines
where the old Blackfox road leaves S. Ocoee St. Enter from north into
thicket, south end of Hillcrest off of maintenance road
Problem
Hilcrest Memorial Gardens claims it does not own the Champion
Cemetery. It is run over by trees, shrubs and thicket. Frances
Champion's stone has been broken in half. His is still readable.
Previous Contacts
Governor of Tennessee. Chamber of Commerce of Bradley Co. TN.
Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in July 1999 in person. Bradley County
Clerk for a record of who own the land. The County Clerk sent my
letter to the Cleveland Public Library and the History Branch Manager
responded with a letter listing genealogical researchers for hire.
Current Status
No one will respond to the situation. The graves and Cemetery is
not regarded at all. I can't even find out who owns the land.
Contact:
name: Cathy C. Seifert
Email: c.c.seifert@worldnet.att.net
