Author Documents Alabama History Through Local Cemeteries
Mollie Smith Waters shares findings from her new book on historic Alabama burial sites in Tuscaloosa.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Landscaping
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College instructor and author Mollie Smith Waters recently presented her new book, Historic Resting Places Of Alabama: Cemeteries and Graveyards Around the State, in Tuscaloosa. The work highlights burial grounds across all 67 Alabama counties.
Why it matters
The book aims to preserve the cultural and historical legacy of the state by cataloging burial sites that reflect the experiences of diverse Alabama communities. Waters began this project following the success of her weekly cemetery column for The Greenville Standard.
Waters took 12,000 color pictures for the project, visiting every one of Alabama's 67 counties to capture images, often arriving at cemeteries by 6:30 AM.
The players
Mollie Smith Waters
She is a college instructor at Lurleen B. Wallace Community College who documents historical cemeteries across Alabama.
Alabama Red Rovers
This was a volunteer military company formed in November 1835 that died during the Goliad Massacre.
The details
Waters collected the content by photographing tombstones at sunrise to ensure optimal lighting conditions. Her research includes historical records such as the formation of the Alabama Red Rovers in 1835 and their subsequent loss in the 1836 Goliad Massacre.
Timeline
October 29, 2026: Mollie Smith Waters presented her book at Ernest & Hadley's bookstore.
November 1, 2026: Waters has a scheduled speaking engagement at the Congregation of the Shoals.
August 2021: Waters began writing her weekly cemetery column for The Greenville Standard.
Culture Shift
This project reflects a growing interest in public history and genealogy that connects local landscapes to specific state events like the Goliad Massacre of March 27, 1836. By cataloging these sites, the work transforms quiet graveyards into accessible archives for the public.
Local history enthusiasts can utilize the book as a guide for visiting significant burial sites across the state's 67 counties. The project may encourage residents to conduct their own cemetery research or participate in historical preservation efforts in their area.
The takeaway
Preserving historical burial sites offers a window into the lives of those who shaped the region's past. Readers can apply this approach to their own community by documenting local cemeteries to ensure historical information is not lost to time.
What happens next
Mollie Smith Waters is scheduled for a speaking engagement at the Congregation of the Shoals in Florence on November 1, 2026.
Further reading
Discover more about local preservation efforts in the Tuscaloosa Landscaping section.
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