Fans Organize Cleanup of Memphis Blues Musicians' Graves

Volunteers to spruce up neglected Hollywood Cemetery where Furry Lewis and other blues legends are buried

Apr. 6, 2026 at 7:48pm

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A striking black and white illustration depicting the overgrown gravestones and foliage of a cemetery, conveying the sense of neglect and the need for restoration.Volunteers work to restore the neglected final resting place of legendary Memphis blues musicians.Memphis Today

Fans of prominent Memphis blues musicians are leading an effort to clean up Hollywood Cemetery in South Memphis, where many musical artists are buried, including Frank Stokes and Furry Lewis. The cemetery has fallen into disrepair, with overgrowth, litter, and neglect. Organizers, including filmmaker Augusta Palmer, plan a cleanup this weekend to restore the gravesites of these blues legends.

Why it matters

The poor condition of Hollywood Cemetery, where many influential Memphis blues musicians are laid to rest, reflects the ongoing challenges of maintaining historic sites and honoring the city's musical legacy. This volunteer cleanup effort aims to draw attention to the issue and inspire community action to preserve the final resting places of these blues icons.

The details

Filmmaker Augusta Palmer, whose recent documentary featured blues legend Furry Lewis, was shocked to find Lewis's grave marker overgrown with trees and brush. Along with other concerned artists, historians, and musicians, Palmer is organizing a two-day cleanup of Hollywood Cemetery this weekend to clear the neglected grounds and restore the gravesites. The cemetery has long been plagued by overgrowth, litter, and a lack of consistent maintenance as city and county leaders have debated responsibility for its upkeep.

  • The cleanup is taking place on Saturday and Sunday, April 12-13, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • WREG has reported on the ongoing blight issues at Hollywood Cemetery for years, with the last major coverage in 2025.

The players

Augusta Palmer

A filmmaker whose 2023 documentary 'The Blues Society' featured the legendary blues musician Furry Lewis.

Furry Lewis

A prominent Memphis blues musician known for his song 'See That My Grave Is Kept Clean,' who is buried in the neglected Hollywood Cemetery.

Frank Stokes

Another famous Memphis blues musician whose grave marker was found among the overgrowth in Hollywood Cemetery.

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What they’re saying

“I was just shocked. Trees were encroaching on Furry Lewis's grave, kind of hanging over it.”

— Augusta Palmer, Filmmaker

“There were tires dumped all over the cemetery and garbage.”

— Augusta Palmer, Filmmaker

“I mean I was so distraught once I got here it was just so disheartening to see that it was so unkept just not clean just not cared for.”

— Memphis Resident

What’s next

Organizers are asking for volunteers to help with the cleanup this weekend, and are also accepting donations to support the restoration efforts.

The takeaway

This volunteer cleanup effort highlights the ongoing challenges of preserving the final resting places of Memphis's musical legends and the importance of community action to honor the city's rich blues heritage.