Grace Martin: one of Mississippi’s most photographed headstones born from tragedy

VICKSBURG, Miss. by Evan Winschel (VDN) — Today’s featured plot belongs to Grace Lawrence Martin (1892–1921).

Water brushed against the shore in increasing waves as the boat pulled into dock at the riverfront. On the hillside stood Gus Martin, eagerly awaiting a delivery from Carrara, Italy. With the ship moored into place, several of the crew carefully unloaded the much-anticipated cargo. Unveiling the finished product for his inspection, Mr. Martin reached out his hand and finally touched something so new and yet so familiar — his wife, Grace, immortalized in stone.

Grace Lawrence was born July 25, 1892, in Chicago, Illinois. Sometime in her youth, she traded in her view of Lake Michigan for the Vicksburg riverfront. Possessing a nurturing spirit, she trained as a nurse at the Charity Hospital School of Nursing, where she graduated with honors. Working under the guidance of Dr. S. W. Johnston, she soon became “one of the most popular members of that consecrated profession in this city.” A natural caregiver, she was “bright, talented and thoroughly equipped for her duties in the affections of many sufferers who were hastened in their recovery from serious illness by her tender ministrations.”

By 1918, Grace had retired her nurse’s uniform upon her marriage to A. J. “Gus” Martin Jr., devoting her attention to being a mother to his three children from a previous marriage. The following year, the newlyweds welcomed their first child together — a daughter named after her mother. With Grace busy at home with a newborn, Gus provided for the family through his successful marble and granite business.

Both very active members within the community, they formed a vast circle of friends and the esteem of many who were elated when she became pregnant with their second child. Five days after Grace’s 29th birthday, she gave birth to a second daughter. An occasion that should have been marked by celebration soon devolved into tragedy when their newborn passed away hours after taking her first breaths. Complications from childbirth would take the life of Grace the following afternoon.

“Many hearts are sad today at the death of Mrs. A. J. Martin, sweet young wife and mother, who passed away at her home in this city yesterday afternoon at 4:20 o’clock. The circumstances of Mrs. Martin’s death are particularly the cause of the deepest grief to her numerous friends from the fact that she passed away within a few hours after the birth of her little infant, who also died and will be buried with its mother.”

Filled with sorrow by the suddenness of both his wife and child’s death, Mr. Martin put his experience as an accomplished monument maker to work. Only the best materials would do for their memorial. Choosing a favorite photo of his wife and their surviving daughter Grace, he sent instructions off to Carrara, Italy, for artisans to use the finest piece of marble for their likenesses to be carved.

Finally, the day came for him to see his vision fleshed out in stone. Running his hands along the perfectly executed work, he felt all their shared memories fill his mind and nodded in approval to the workers. The stone, secured into place on the wagon, made its way along the hills to their final resting place, where it has become one of the most photographed stones in the state.

Their home at 2135 Cherry St. still stands and has been converted into a duplex.

Pictured in the clouds is her grown daughter, Grace.

Cedar Hill Cemetery Association was formed in 2024 with the goal of assisting the City of Vicksburg in restoration and beautification of our historic Cedar Hill Cemetery. The Association will be presenting its inaugural tour event “Voices from the Hills” on October 16, 17, and 18, 2025 as part of Vicksburg’s Bicentennial Celebrations. For more information or to get involved, contact chcassociation@yahoo.com or visit their Facebook page.