Created during segregation and founded in 1925, this is the historically black cemetery in Stuart. Although it is hard to see from the street, you can find it behind Waters Car Wash. The Moore in the name was Walter G. Moore, who helped several Black churches purchase the cemetery from Eric Schroeder, a local resident who sold real estate. It was first known as the Community Cemetery, and it is believed the first burial was for Lizzie Lattimore, who died on May 18, 1918. The oldest graves date back to the early 1900's. When Moore passed away in 1952 he was buried here too.
Through the years more than 200 souls were laid to rest over the four acres here and many of the graves are unmarked. A lot of the records were lost or destroyed. Sadly some of the graves were paved over after a sidewalk that was built along Seville Street The most recent burials were from 2011.
The cemetery was deeded to the city of Stuart in 1981, but maintenance was left up to the families. In 1986, Aycock funeral home, operating under the business name Fern Hill Memorial Gardens, purchased the property. A single care taker, Richard McHardy and some local non profits tried to maintain it. Mr. McHardy passed away in 2014 at the age of 98. In 2018 the city stepped in and made necessary repairs. To be respectful to the people already interred here the city decided to limit any future burials to residents of at least five years; people with immediate family living in the area; and people with immediate family buried in the cemetery.
It was very interesting discovering and learning about this historic cemetery today. The city has tried to make amends for some of the past injustices that happened here. Today this cemetery is a well maintained, peaceful resting spot for the black pioneers of Stuart. read more