Established in 1887, Riverside Cemetery is the final resting place of over 19,000 people. War veterans, religious leaders, business owners, and prominent Macon families are all laid to rest within the 125-acre historic cemetery off Riverside Drive and near to I-75 in Macon, Ga. Susan Gordon, president/director, and Mindy Hart, event director, spoke about influential individuals who were buried within the gates. Here are four graves to look out for on your next visit to Riverside Cemetery:
Lt. Hazel Raines (April 21, 1916 – Sept. 4, 1956)
Shortly after Hazel Jane Raines graduated from Wesleyan College, she learned to fly planes on a dare and became the first woman to receive her commercial pilot’s license in the state of Georgia according to the Wesleyan College Archives. Raines was also the first female Lieutenant in the Air Force during World War II. During the war, she was sent to ferry planes for the Royal Air Force in England. After her wartime duties, she worked as an air cadet instructor with the Brazilian Government before being recalled to London, where she was the women’s staff advisor for the Third Army. During her stint in London, she passed away and was eventually buried in modern-day North Gate block 1, section C, lot six and seven in the Trice Mausoleum.
William Frederick Black Jr. (April 1, 1911 – Dec. 20, 1940)
Corporal William Frederick Black was one of the first men to join the Georgia State Patrol after its organization in 1937, and was the first trooper killed in the line of duty. According to the Georgia Department of Public Safety website, Black was promoted to the rank of Sergeant just after his death. At just 29 years old, Black performed a routine traffic stop when he was tragically gunned down by an escaped convict from Missouri while patrolling Ga. Hwy 41. Black is buried in the area next to the Camellia Mausoleum, known as the Woodbine section of the cemetery, lot 18, row D.
George T. Stallings (Nov. 10, 1869 – May 13, 1929)
George T. Stallings was given the name “Miracle Man” of the baseball diamond after he led the Boston Braves to their first World Series win in 1914. Though he wasn’t born in Macon, Ga. he became a lifelong resident, living in the area when he was not away playing baseball. Stallings managed many teams throughout his life, from the Boston Braves to the New York Yankees. At the end of his life, he was both the owner and manager of the Montreal Royals. Stallings is buried in the Honeysuckle section of the cemetery, lot two, row EE.
William Arthur Fickling Sr. (March 23, 1903 – Nov. 14, 1990)
William Arthur Fickling was a prominent civic leader and philanthropist who moved to Macon, Ga. in 1937. He started Fickling Realty Co. and later teamed up with B. Sanders Walker two years later, turning the company into Fickling and Walker, Inc. The pair built the company into Macon’s largest real estate firm, a title it still holds today as Fickling & Company. Fickling served on multiple boards throughout the city and was named president of many of them, including the Macon Chamber of Commerce, Macon Area Development Commission and the Macon Board of Realtors, to name a few. William Arthur Fickling is also the inspiration for the International Cherry Blossom Festival, as he provided the area with well over 180,000 Yoshino cherry trees. Fickling is buried in the Front lawn section of the cemetery in lot four, which is located in the North Gate part of the cemetery.
Every person buried within the walls of Riverside Cemetery has a story. Whether they were doctors, teachers, realtors, war veterans, or even just everyday people. The 125-acre cemetery holds the stories of Macon and its people, and each one is waiting to be heard. For more information, you can visit Riverside Cemetery’s website.
This upcoming month, visitors can join the Rose Hill Ramble on March 21, 25, and 27 at 10 a.m. for a guided walking tour of Rose Hill Cemetery. A limited number of tickets will be available at the gate before the events.
