Northeast Alabama Community College (NACC) and the Jackson County Historical Association (JCHA) are pleased to announce the return of the popular Cedar Hill Cemetery Stroll. Thanks to a generous grant from the Bynum Foundation, the event will take place on Sunday, November 6 from 2:00-4:00 p.m.

Some of Jackson County’s most interesting citizens will be portrayed. These include the following:

Lucille Benson, 1914-1984 (Traci Phillips) – This Scottsboro native moved to New York to pursue an acting career and appeared in numerous movies and television shows.

Mary Robinson Boyd Cothran, 1846-1951 (Dr. Sylvia Craft Coleman) – A former slave, Sister Cothran moved to Scottsboro and became a beloved wife, mother, and caretaker. She was one of the first members of St. Paul A.M.E. Church and was possibly the oldest person in Scottsboro at the time of her death.

Jean Cox, 1922-2012 (Alan Payne) – This world-renowned opera singer was known for his signature role of Siegfried in Wagner’s Ring Cycle operas.

Jessie “Hoo Daddy” Floyd, 1923-1965 (Dr. Andrew Hodges) – As a paratrooper in World War II, he had some stories to tell, but it is his daredevil antics such as flying his plane under the B.B. Comer Bridge that he was best known for.

Dovenia “Dovie” Skelton Kirby, 1855-1895 (Kurstyn Stewart) – Trying to save her family from scandal, she inadvertently set in motion a series of events that destroyed her own family.

Deputy U.S. Marshal Ed Moody, 1866-1921 (Paul Stevenson) – On the job for only four months, he was shot in the chest while off duty.

Richard Patrick, 1925-2004 (David Patrick) – Captured by German troops and held in a POW camp, this World War II pilot was liberated by George C. Patton’s troops. 

Margaret Brown Payne, 1847-1932 (Elizabeth “Bunny” Mountain) – This 16-year-old Confederate spy traveled over 300 miles on horseback to visit her brother in a Confederate hospital.

James R. “Shorty” Robertson, 1924-1984 (Greg Bell) – A talented athlete, “Shorty” played football, basketball, and baseball for the University of Alabama and was inducted into the Jackson County Hall of Fame in 2015.

Unknown White Male, ?-1981 (Jerry King) – For decades mystery has surrounded the death of this unknown man killed while standing beneath the bridge at the intersection of the John T. Reid Parkway and Highway 35.

Sheriff Matt Wann, 1876-1932 (Nat Cisco) – This Sheriff of Jackson County is best known for holding back the mob that attempted to lynch the Scottsboro Boys.

Parking will be available for the public at Unclaimed Baggage and the Jackson County Rescue Squad building. Handicapped parking will be available closer to the venue.

Pick up a program and watch for flags to lead you to the gravesites where actors are waiting to share their stories.

Donations made by attendees in the past have been used to purchase a headstone for the unmarked grave of U.S. Deputy Marshal Ed Moody and to purchase a historical marker for the cemetery. This year’s donations will be used to mark unknown graves.