Most People Don't Realize These 10 Famous People Are Buried In North Carolina

This week, the world said goodbye to America’s Pastor – a man many here at home refer to as ‘North Carolina’s Favorite Son.’ Hearts were broken all over North Carolina as the news of Graham’s passing poured in through various media outlets on the 21st day of February. Although Graham won’t officially be laid to rest until the first week of March, he is among the most prominent people to have chosen a final resting place in North Carolina. We include him on this list (which technically predates his burial) out of the utmost respect and gratitude for his selflessness and undying devotion to people everywhere. He joins a noble list of other famous souls who chose to rest in peace in the Tar Heel State. We’ve listed ten below.

(Note: visitation and service information for Billy Graham is included at the very end of this article.)

Wikipedia/Public Domain

Billy Graham was born in Charlotte in 1918, and he died at the age of 99 in 2018. He will be laid to rest next to Ruth Graham in a prayer garden on the property of the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte.

Flickr/CHRISTO DRUMMKOPF

Kuralt was born in Wilmington and is laid to rest at the Old Chapel Hill Cemetery in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He rose to fame through his "On The Road" segments that aired on CBS.

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Wikipedia/CBS-photographer-Gabor Rona/Public Domain

Bavier was everyone's television Aunt. played Aunt Bee in the television series "The Andy Griffith Show." Bavier willing admitted it was all those years of playing a role set in a North Carolina town that secretly prompted her to purchase a home in Siler City upon retirement, thus shunning her native state of New York. She's laid to rest in Oakwood Cemetery in Siler City, North Carolina.

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Born in Rocky Mount, Kyser was a big band leader and radio personality in the 1930s and 1940s. He's laid to rest in the Old Chapel Hill Cemetery in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

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One of the first superstars of NASCAR was also a pioneer of the sport. Petty was a stock car racing legend who was born in Randleman. His final resting place is at the Level Cross United Methodist Church Cemetery in Level Cross, North Carolina.

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Flickr/*Hajee

The baseball Hall of Famer is widely remembered for scoring the final run in the 1946 World Series. He was born in Roxboro. His final resting place is in the cemetery of the Allensville Methodist Church in Roxboro, North Carolina.

Wikipedia/Public Domain

William Sydney Porter was a short story writer who used the pen name O. Henry. He was born in Greensboro, and is laid to rest in the Riverside Cemetery in Asheville, North Carolina.

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Tom Alston became the first African American baseball player to join the St. Louis Cardinals. He played first base from 1954-1957. He was born in Greensboro and is laid to rest at Goshen United Methodist Church in Greensboro, North Carolina.

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Wikipedia/Carl Van Vechten - Van Vechten Collection at Library of Congress/Public Domain

Thomas Wolfe was an American novelist of the early 20th century. He was born in Asheville and his gravesite is located at the Riverside Cemetery in Asheville, North Carolina.

Flickr/Kristine

Gardner was an American actress and singer from a farming family near the North Carolina community of Grabtown. She is laid to rest at Sunset Memorial Park in Smithfield, North Carolina.

Whether they were born in North Carolina or not, these 10 famous people will always have a place in the hearts of North Carolinians. Is your heart broken over the loss of Billy Graham? Feel free to join the discussion below or on Facebook.

Billy Graham Funeral, Service and Visitation information
February 24, 2018, 11:00 a.m. – a three-hour processional will take place as Graham is moved from the Billy Graham Training Center in Asheville to the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte.
February 26-27, 2018, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. – Graham will lay in repose in a closed casket at his childhood home, which was previously moved to the property of the Billy Graham Library. The public will be able to visit the property.
February 28-March 1 – Graham will lie in the US Capital Rotunda. It will be open to the public to say one last goodbye. Afterward, he will be moved to a private, invitation-only service of about 2,300 people that will take place under a tent at the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte.