History

On March 15, 1921, J.E. and Iona Cook entered into an agreement with the three of the trustees of the Colored Cemetery of Mart to purchase 2 and 9/100 acres of land in the amount of $500.00 to establish the cemetery located at 579 West Burleson Street in Mart, Texas. 

The agreement was for three of the cemetery trustees, W.T. Smith, Reuben Payne and G.T. Reed, to pay $100.00 in cash initially and the remaining $200.00 to be paid out in $50 quarterly installments from March 1921 – June 1922.  Payment was complete and thus established the first plot of land for the colored cemetery. 

The “old” cemetery (Tract 1) was located on one acre of the property previously owned by deed to Ernest and Viola Douglas.  Ernest and Viola Douglas elected to keep a portion of the land between the old and new tract of Evergreen Cemetery land to create a Douglas family cemetery.  The Douglas family still owns and maintains the small cemetery and is not associated with the Evergreen Cemetery Association of Mart.

On November 3, 1975, Albert and Johnna Maye Scott paid $1,500.00 on behalf of the Evergreen Cemetery Association.  The land purchase was based on donations from fifteen families and members of the Mart African American community.  The group purchased 2.5 acres of land.  The “new” cemetery (Tract 2) is located on property previously owned by deed to Tommie Cook. 

Trustees

Roger Bledsoe

Ilene Brown

Julia Baker

Rev. John P. Hardin

Donors for “New” side of Evergreen Cemetery: 

Each of the donors named below paid $100.00 each to purchase the New cemetery.

 Rosie Washington 

Mr. & Mrs. Carl Swanson

Ella & Ethel McCoy

Charlie Isham

Pearlie Walker 

Mr. & Mrs. Pitt Wise

Elnora Willis

Lizzie Barrett

Mr. & Mrs. Willie Johnson

 Mary Hensley

Nita Slaughter 

 Julia Baker 

Minnie Williams 

Mattie Rigsby

Malcolm Bacy