Sonny Boy's grave could be arguably the easiest one to find
(see Central Mississippi Delta page). It is the second, only to
Robert Johnson, in the amount of gifts left behind at his grave.
Originally he was the only one buried at this spot next to an
old church. By 1999, two sisters of Sonny Boy were buried in front
of Sonny Boy. By 2003, The old church had finally gave out and
more graves were added to the right of the Miller family.
Alick Miller's grave in May, 2003. Besides Trumpet
Records, Aleck also recorded for Chess Records and with the rock
band the Yardbirds in London. Another point of debate with Miller,
is that he took up the name of another blues harmonica player
named "Sonny Boy" Williamson, who was murdered in Chicago
back in the 1930s (It is believe that neither "Sonny Boy"
met each other).
Aleck Miller's grave from June, 1999. A path was cleared
to the grave back then.
Unfortunately, by May 2003, no one was maintaining
the "cemetery" where Aleck was buried*. This view is
from the roadside, looking in the general direction of Aleck's
grave. The two tombstone, barely sticking out of the grass, are
of Aleck's sisters.
*- A built in excuse, it was
a very wet spring in 2003, so whomever is the groundskeeper here
might have been waiting for the ground to firm up (just a theory).
Another theory - It's just hard to find good help.
In a 2005 visit to the cemetery, little had changed here (a path
to Sunny Boy's grave was added)
Someone did cut a swath through the grass in May, 2003
to some of the other graves, just not to Aleck Miller's grave.
:-(
Mary Ashford and Julie Barner were sisters of Aleck
Miller. Unfortunately, both died in a fire to the house they lived
together in.
Above - Front of graves; Below
- Back of graves. Both photos from June, 1999
On the other side of the road from Aleck Miller's grave
is your standard delta farm field scene. (from May, 2003)
Links
Dead
Blues Guys - Aleck Miller's Grave
Sonnyboy.com
Page created on January 15, 2004/ last updated on May 17,
2006
Questions and comments can be sent to Sandor
Gulyas
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