Erosion at Vick Cemetery, October 2025.

On September 26, I submitted a brief statement and set of questions about Vick Cemetery to all eleven candidates for Wilson City Council seats. I emailed the nine candidates for whom I was able to locate email addresses and mailed letters to the other two.

Ninety-foot power pole installed in Vick Cemetery in 1997 by the City of Wilson.

The responses received:

District 3

• Tom Fyle (incumbent)

No response.

District 5

• Jane Cookson

No response.

• Bradley Eagles

No response.

• Susan Kellum

First and foremost, thank you for your leadership regarding this issue. Your knowledge, perseverance, and commitment is admirable.

Below are my responses to your questions:

• Proactive engagement with the Vick Cemetery descendant community about matters related to the cemetery’s care.

The descendant community should have an equal voice with other stakeholders because they, more than anyone, know and care about the stories, history, and cultural connection of those buried there. Their input ensures the cemetery is cared for with respect, accuracy, and dignity that honors their ancestors and Wilson’s  heritage.

• Additional ground-penetrating radar of the public right-of-way, as well as areas of the cemetery not surveyed in 2022, to determine the location of additional graves?

I believe the use of additional ground-penetrating radar is a respectful, responsible way to identify all graves, honor those buried, and ensure the cemetery’s history is preserved with dignity. It’s an investment in truth, healing, and our community’s shared heritage.

• An independent investigation into the handling of Vick’s headstones and the installation of power poles in the cemetery?

I share the desire for justice, and I fear an investigation at this junction would not truly deliver it. Instead, I would focus our resources on correcting these wrongs as best we can today, ensuring the cemetery and those laid to rest there receive the dignity they were once denied.

District 6

• Eduardo Picasso-Herrera

Dear Ms. Henderson,

Thank you for your unwavering dedication to preserving the history and dignity of East Wilson’s historic cemeteries, and especially for the important work you lead through the Lane Street Project. As a candidate for City Council, I fully support the restoration of Vick Cemetery and believe we must do everything in our power to honor the lives and legacy of those buried there.

While canvassing, my wife had the opportunity to meet Mr. Castonoble [Hooks], and I had the privilege of meeting him personally after I spoke at a recent City Council meeting. During our conversation, he shared with me his concerns and explained that the city has had $50,000 allocated for Vick Cemetery but has not taken any visible action to use those funds. I told him directly that if the city has those $50,000, then they need to be used immediately. There is no excuse for delay. The community has waited long enough, and it’s time for real, visible progress.

This conversation reinforced why I am running for office. We need change in Wilson. We need leadership that listens to the community and acts on its needs. We can no longer ignore the voices of our residents, especially when they are calling for justice, respect, and accountability.

In response to your specific questions:

Proactive engagement with the Vick Cemetery descendant community

Yes, I fully support ongoing and meaningful engagement with the Vick Cemetery descendant community. These families and community members must be involved in every step of the restoration process. Their insights, history, and lived experiences are essential. As a council member, I will advocate for transparency, regular public updates, and inclusive collaboration with all stakeholders.

Additional ground-penetrating radar (GPR)

Yes, I support expanding the GPR survey to include areas not yet studied, including the public right-of-way and any remaining portions of the cemetery. Every grave deserves to be identified and honored. We cannot move forward without fully understanding the scope of what lies beneath this sacred ground.

An independent investigation into the removal of headstones and installation of power poles

Yes, an independent investigation is necessary. The removal of headstones and the installation of power poles in a cemetery is deeply troubling. We need a full, transparent account of what happened and why, and if there are ways to restore what was lost. This is about accountability and respect, and we owe that to the families of those buried at Vick Cemetery.

Again, thank you for your work and advocacy. I stand with the Lane Street Project and with all those who are fighting to preserve and protect Wilson’s history. Together, we can ensure that our city values and honors every part of its past as we build a better future.

• Logan Liles (incumbent)

No response.

District 7

• Will Arrington

I would first like to thank you for reaching out to me in the matter concerning Vick Cemetery. I will keep it short as I know that your time is valuable.

• Felicia Atkinson

No response.

• Johnnie Chestnut

Hello. My name is Johnnie E. Chestnut, candidate for Wilson City Council District 7 since 2017-present. I’ve been following this story since 2016 to where we are today. City council meetings, hearings, public opinions, etc., etc.  It’s my understanding that the City of Wilson spokeswoman Rebecca Agner and the Wilson Cemetery Commission with the current City Council members I would like to consider if I can talk with them about the concerns and future plans for Vicks Cemetery other than the $50,000 allocated funds. Alongside Mr. Hooks, he’s been and advocating the erosions, utility poles and the removal of headstones. The difference between Maplewood Cemetery is in more stable condition than East Wilson cemeteries. As we seen, August 2025 with law enforcement and some leaders in the community had conducted an investigation that some human and bone fragments were in the side ditch. With that being said I would like to have a more detailed blueprint on the funding for the future of Vicks Cemetery and where would the funding come from other than the stormwater fund. The Commission Board plans along what Mayor Stevens’ opinion on this as I look forward to talking to you on this. Thank you for reaching out on this sensitive matter and my thoughts on what can be done as we move into 2026.

• Anika Sanders

Thank you, Ms. Henderson, for your leadership in preserving and telling the story of East Wilson’s history.

The history of Vick Cemetery is not just about the past, it is about how we as a city choose to honor and respect our community today.

When I am elected to City Council, I would support the following:

• Proactive Engagement with Descendants

I believe the City must actively engage with the families and descendants of those buried at Vick Cemetery before making decisions that affect the site. This includes regular updates, opportunities for public input, and listening sessions to make sure this sacred ground is treated with dignity.

• Additional Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR)

I support additional GPR studies of the right-of-way and unsurveyed areas to fully map where graves are located. We cannot restore what we do not fully understand, and this is a necessary step to protect those resting places from future disturbance.

• Independent Investigation of Past Actions

I believe there should be an independent investigation into the removal and disappearance of headstones, as well as the installation of power poles inside the cemetery boundary. The community deserves transparency and answers about how this happened and what will be done to prevent similar harm in the future.

Vick Cemetery is a cornerstone of Wilson’s African-American history. Any improvements must be done with care, respect, and full participation from the community.

Thank you for this question. I will work to make sure we finish what we started. I too have family who is buried somewhere in Vick Cemetery, this is personal for me.

 I will do everything I can to make sure the city follows through with the plan when I am elected for City Council District 7!

• Lenwood Ward

[Updated 10/13/2025.] I am very passionate about the preservation of historical sites. Especially, the ones of African American history. I have been part of cleaning up one the cemeteries. I have personally walked the grounds reading the headstones. And I found it very disrespectful and concerning to see headstones broken and overgrown by debris. I have been following the issues of these historical cemeteries in the newspaper over the years. I think it’s disgraceful that the city has treated these historical places of rest, like farm land. I believe the city has a duty to correct this wrong. I believe more radar penetration should be done. Areas of erosion should be fixed. All headstones that can be saved, should be. And any that cannot, should have a memorial or a marker to show. The city should write a letter of apology for this disgraceful wrongdoing to its African American citizens. And to show that it respects all citizens. When I served in the military, I was in charge of Funeral Detail for all fallen soldiers, past and present.  I have always believed in showing the utmost respect. So respecting and the preservation of any fallen, should be shown the respect it deserves. And as a Black American, who has seen and experienced personally unfair treatment, I am and will be a supporter of Wilson’s historical places.