Name Clarification for Temple Cemetery in Amite, Louisiana

Temple Cemetery
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

A couple of years ago, Edwin Temple and I discussed the name of a cemetery in Amite, Louisiana, after he read some of my historical publications about the cemetery. Edwin informed me that the name needed to be corrected. He said that name of the cemetery is Temple Cemetery and not Temple-Bush Cemetery or Bush-Temple Cemetery.

I recorded nine African-American cemeteries in St. Helena and Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana.  Temple Cemetery was of the nine cemeteries recorded.

According to some of the funeral programs, the cemetery is called three different names; Temple Cemetery, Temple-Bush Cemetery, and Bush Temple Cemetery.  According to Edwin's family history, his great-grandfather Jim Temple was married twice. First to Margaret Amacker, and secondly to Orthell Butler.  Jim's second wife Orthell Butler Temple donated two acres for a cemetery for all their descendants from both marriages. The family wants to correct the inaccuracies and make sure that everyone note that the name of the cemetery is "Temple Cemetery" some of Jim and Orthell descendants are discussing placing the Temple name as the official name for the cemetery with the State of Louisiana and Louisiana Florida Parishes. Because the cemetery is known by three different names, it is confusing some of the heirs and people in the community.

According to several newspaper obituaries and funeral programs for the deceased quoted the interment for the deceases all three names were used. The Temple family want the cemetery to carry the only name of Temple. The family plan to notify all funeral homes in written letters concerning the official name once it recorded the Tangipahoa Parish Clerk. 

The Temple cemetery is a private cemetery, and there aren't any officials in the parish clerks office. For clarification Mary Temple was married to Tony Bush, Sr., After Mary passed away she Tony Bush, Sr. married Pearl Mae Clark. Any descendants from Tony Bush, Sr. and Pearly Mae Clark Bush  shouldn't be buried in the Temple accord all descendant of Jim Temple.

O.W. Dillon School to Be Placed on the the National Register of Historic Places

 Delegation Visited  O.W. Dillon School
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

This past week a delegation organized by Dieone Johnson, Executive Director for O.W. Dillon Preservation Organization met with Jessica G. Richardson, National Register Coordinator, Division of the Historic Preservation, Office of Cultural Development. The delegation and Executive Director toured the school with Jessica, educating her about the history of the school.  

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation's historic place worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate and protect America's historic and archeological resources. 

Tangipahoa Parish Training School is the oldest in the Nation. ]The school is gaining national attention for its historical Heritage in the African American community.  The doors opened in 191l and closed several years back. The school fostered the idea of having boys learned scientific agriculture, dairying, and horticulture for girls; sewing, domestic economy, cooking, and other life skills training.  The Tangipahoa Parish Training School drew many students from surrounding parishes, including Washington,  St. Tammany, St. Helena, East and West Feliciana. Some students came from Mississippi to get an education. 

The delegation toured the school that could be used as Community Enrichment Center,  Museum & Cultural Center, and a vocational training school. They visited the classrooms, gymnasium, the cafeteria, and the school grounds.

During the visit, Susie Bates and Valeria Temple Thompson alumni's of the school reminisce about their school days and the staff of the school. Also attending were local historian and television talk show host Antoinette Harrell joined the delegation to help them document the rich history of the school. Youth photographers; Connor, Chase and Jo'elle Lacoste took pictures for photo documentation. 

O.W. Dillon School
Kentwood, Louisiana
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

O.W. Dillon School
Kentwood, Louisiana
Photo Credit: Connor LaCoste

O.W. Dillon School
Kentwood, Louisiana
Photo Credit: Connor LaCoste