Cedar Grove Cemetery, located off Beatties Ford Road in Charlotte’s Mecklenburg County, has been a final resting place for prominent locals, military veterans, and regular Black citizens since the 1880s. However, due to neglect, the cemetery fell into disrepair, with overgrown grass and thick undergrowth covering many of the graves.
A personal project by UNC Charlotte graduate student Kevin Donaldson in 2022 sparked a community effort to restore the cemetery. Che’ Abdullah, a Charlotte transplant, joined forces with Donaldson and other volunteers to make it a community campaign, known as “Save Cedar Grove.” The group cleared out debris, mowed the grass, and restored dignity to the cemetery.
In December 2024, Wreaths Across America, a nationwide nonprofit organization, participated in the restoration efforts. Over 75 volunteers gathered at the cemetery to place wreaths on the graves of 21 military veterans buried there. This was one of only two Charlotte-Mecklenburg cemeteries included in the program this year.
The beneficiaries of this effort are the descendants of the Black citizens buried at Cedar Grove Cemetery. Abdullah recalled learning that a veteran, Wendell French, served during World War II with his grandfather’s family. Stories like these have been unearthed by the volunteers as they worked to restore the cemetery.
A ceremony was held after the wreath-laying event to recognize all who participated. The community came together for a free lunch provided by a nearby fish market in the Beatties Ford Road business district. The restoration of Cedar Grove Cemetery is a testament to the power of community effort and the importance of honoring our veterans.
Source: https://qcitymetro.com/2025/01/06/cedar-grove-cemetery-restoration