Burr Oak Cemetery Alsip Illinois
Burr Oak Cemetery Alsip Illinois is not a cemetery where you want your loved ones resting.
The Burr Oak and Restvale cemeteries are located in Alsip, Illinois, a suburb slightly southwest of the city of the great town of Chicago. They are the final resting places for many of Chicago areas Afro Americans.
Many legendary musicians from the Chicago blues era are buried there. But, on July 9, 2009 Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart stated that four workers at Burr Oak cemetery allegedly dug up more than 200 graves, dumped the bodies into unmarked mass graves and resold their plots to the unsuspecting public.
The three men and one woman were charged with one count each of dismembering a human body. A charge that can receive 6 months to 20 years sentencing. Those Burr Oak Cemetery workers that are charged are:
Four charged in Burr Oak Cemetery Alsip Illinois Crime
Dump truck operator-Terrence Nicks, 39,
Back hoe operator-Maurice Dailey, 59
Grounds foreman-Keith Nicks, 45
Some Famous Afro Americans Are Buried In Burr Oak Cemetery.
* Noble Drew Ali (1886-1929), prophet and founder of the Moorish Science Temple of America
* James Kokomo Arnold (1901-1968), blues musician
* Walter Barnes, bandleader who perished with 10 members of his band in the Rhythm Night Club Fire
* Lexie Bigham (1968-1995), actor
* Ezzard Charles (1921-1975), world heavyweight boxing champion
* George “Sonny” Cohn (1925-2006), jazz trumpeter with Count Basie for 30 years
* Jimmie Crutchfield (1910-1993), All-Star Negro League baseball player
* Willie Dixon (1915-1992), blues musician and songwriter
* John Donaldson (1892-1970), star pre-Negro League baseball pitcher and barnstormer businessman
* Jodie Edwards (1895-1967), of comedy duo Butterbeans and Susie
* Inman Jackson (1907-1973), player with the Harlem Globetrotters
* Otis Spann (1930-1970), blues pianist
* James A. “Candy Jim” Taylor (1884-1948), Negro League baseball player and manager
* Emmett Till (1941-1955), murder victim whose death helped galvanize the U.S. Civil Rights Movement
* Dinah Washington (1924-1963), “Queen of the Blues”
* J. Mayo Williams (1894-1980) Early blues and jazz record producer and one of the first black players in the NFL
Some Famous Afro Americans Are Buried In Restvale Cemetery. (neighboring cemetery)
* John Henry Barbee (1905-1964), blues singer, guitarist
* David Barksdale (1947-1974), leader of the Black Disciples street gang
* Nathaniel “Sweetwater” Clifton (1926-1990), professional basketball player
* Jazz Gillum (1904-1966), blues harmonica player
* Earl Hooker (1929-1970), blues guitarist
* Big Walter “Shakey” Horton (1918-1981), blues harmonica player
* Samuel “Magic Sam” Maghett (1936-1969), blues musician
* Charles “Papa Charlie” McCoy (1909-1950), blues musician
* Kansas Joe McCoy (1905-1950), blues musician
* James Burke “St. Louis Jimmy” Oden (1903-1977), blues musician, composer
* Eddie Taylor (1923-1985), blues guitarist, songwriter
* Theodore Roosevelt “Hound Dog” Taylor (1915-1975), blues musician
* Muddy Waters (1915-1983), blues musician
* Valerie Wellington (1959-1993), actress, opera singer, blues singer
* Joesph E. Nathaniel (1919-1993), blues pianist, blues singer
Authorities began investigating the Burr Oak Cemetery in Alsip Illinois when owners called and reported that they suspected financial irregularities. It is beyond belief what these people are charged with and how they could put these families through such torment.
The BaltimoreSun.com has 61 photos of Burr Oak Cemetery Alsip Illinois. If you have a minute, you should go over and see what has “allegedly” happened. For the full story, go to CNN News.
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I have just one question how often do famiy members go to see their loved ones?
I know that is no reason for what happened to these families but that is just a wondering question.
There own did this to them and thought nothing about it all these horrible people wanted money and they hurt the innocent families that had no idea that this was happening.
MAY GOD BLESS AND HELP ALL THESE FAMILIES DURING THIS REALLY TOUGH TIME NOW AND FOR ALL TIME AS I AM SURE HE WILL!!!
I hope this will comfort the families whose loved ones remains were disturbed. First, your loved ones are not there, only the fragments from the bodies they used while on earth. The bible tells us what happens at death. “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was, and the spirit (soul) shall return unto God, who gave it. (Ecclesiastes 12:7.) Your deceased relatives are in Heaven. Be blessed.
How would i go bye seeing is my baby brother was one of them that got unburied or can someone tell me is their any kids out their in burr oak.
Contact the police. They are still investigating this case and since it is a crime what these people did…they will have the knowledge.
You could also contact the cemetery…but by now, they are more than likely…not talking…because of the legal aspects.
I hope that your brother is resting in peace.
Sincerely,
Sharon
~The Baby Boomer Queen~
am still waiting to find out something. my baby is or was out at burr oaks cemetery
i just dont know what to do, dont know where my baby is her name is etoyel may hunter. my phone number is 708-699-5110
thank you
Dear Rosie,
I can not even imagine such a thing, since I am not in your shoes. You have our deepest sympathy.
If I were you. I would have them exhume your daughters coffin and have some one (not from Burr Oaks) check to see if she is there…at Burr Oaks expense. I am sure that there is an attorney out there that would be glad to assist you in this. There are still some decent attorneys out there. Not all of them are blood and money sucking demons.
You deserve peace of mind and your daughter deserves a peaceful place to have her ashes rest.
Sincerely,
Sharon
~The Baby Boomer Queen~
They have recently found a body near the emerson high school that may be hers.
Thank you Joe, I have notified Rosie…
Sharon
~The Baby Boomer Queen~