Forest Grove Cemetery Project

06/15/2026

"Honoring Our Past, Preparing for the Future...Remembering, Recognition and Resilience"

The Forest Grove Cemetery Project hosted its 5th Annual Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at The LEX in Lexington, MO. While enjoying coffee, pastries and lunch, attendees had the opportunity to view biographical posters of those buried in Historic Forest Grove Cemetery; preview videos of " Lexington's Elders"; witness the artistic skills of up and coming artist Jada Hall; presentations on Juneteenth History, Significant African Americans in Missouri History; How the Ancestors used Plants, Flowers, and Herbs, for their Health and Well Being; How to Balance your Spirituality While Dealing with Health Challenges; Preparing our Children for the Future; a sneek preview of Lexington native Scott Summer's upcoming book on Mitchell Hunter aka Wilhemina Ross.

Featured Speakers:
Dr. Derold Davis: Educator and Assistant Superintendent of the Kansas City Missouri Public School District

Dr. Angela Washington-Thomas: Sociologist and Former Project Director of KC PACT

Kwanza Humphrey: Kansas City based artist whose work is featured at the Kansas City International Airport, Nelson-Atkins Art Gallery and the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art Overland Park, KS

Alyssa Hunsaker-Johnson: Lexington R-V School District Middle School Counselor

Tymme Johnson: Odessa R-VII School District High School Process Coordinator of Special Education

The celebration closed on a high note honoring the following persons for their support of Forest Grove Cemetery and their longevity in the community of Lexington:
Ms. Jenifer Ashley
Mrs. Janet Cado
Mrs. Earlene Hancock-Edwards
Mrs. Mabel Hawkins (Oldest African American Female in Lexington)
Mrs. Alyssa Hunsaker-Johnson
Dr. & Mrs. William LaHue
Lafayette County Juneteenth Foundation
Mr. Emanuel Mason, Jr.
Mr. Charles Taylor(Oldest African American Male in Lexington)
Dr. Jeffery Yelton
Zodiac Motorcycle Club

The Forest Grove Cemetery Board of Directors would like to thank all who came out to support this our 5th Annual Juneteenth Celebration. Your tax deductible financial support to Forest Grove is deeply appreciated!

06/05/2026

Come join the Forest Grove Cemetery Project for fun, fellowship and education as we celebrate Juneteenth on Saturday June 13th at The Lex!

We have something for everyone. Speakers and presentations on…
• Juneteenth history
• Herbs, plants and flowers used by the ancestors for their health and well-being
• Maintaining your faith when dealing with health challenges
• Preparing our youth for the future
• Biographical poster display of African Americans buried in Forest Grove Cemetery
• Videos of Lexington’s “African American Elders”
• Special presentation by Lexington native Scott Summers who authored a book about Mitchell Hunter who, as Wilhelmina Ross, became one of Andy Warhol’s favorite
subjects to paint

Doors open at 9am with coffee and pastries to stroll through the exhibits and the program begins at 10am.

It’s a treat you don’t want to miss!!

04/17/2026

04/17/2026

https://forestgrovecemeteryproject.org/events/ Book available at Amazon.com The cemetery now known as Forest Grove was established as a cemetery in 1854. It was deeded from the City of Lexington to the “trustees for the colored people of Lexington, Missouri” on October 28, 1890. Many of those fi...

11/12/2025

Paying tribute this Veteran's Day to the remaining 52 Veterans who served in the Spanish American War to the Vietnam Era, interred at The Historic Lexington Forest Grove Cemetery. Recognizing their courageous contributions and unwavering dedication to securing our freedom.

11/11/2025

Paying tribute this Veteran's Day to the 7 Civil War Veterans interred at The Historic Lexington Forest Grove Cemetery, recognizing their courageous contributions and unwavering dedication to securing our freedom.

09/27/2025

The Forest Grove Cemetery Project is hosting a clean-up day at the cemetery this Saturday, October 4, 2025, commencing at 10:30 a.m. We are seeking volunteers to assist us in clearing grass clippings from grave markers, weeding flower planters, removing fallen tree limbs and outdated decorations from graves. Please bring gloves, spray water bottles, rakes, and other necessary equipment. We look forward to seeing you on Saturday. Thank you for your support and participation; it is deeply appreciated.

06/15/2025

Embracing freedom and unity, the Forest Grove Cemetery Project marked its 3rd Annual Juneteenth Celebration yesterday at the Lexington Moose Lodge, illuminating a brighter future for all. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all presenters, volunteers, and supporters who helped make this celebration a resounding success!

06/11/2025

We invite you to join our Juneteenth celebration! Everyone is welcome to attend.