During our last spooky photoshoot with The Third Eye Photo Adventures and Workshops, we were visited by 6 local spirits among the gravestones of Riverside Cemetery… the apparitions of some of Macon’s most notable and notorious spirits were roaming the grounds as twilight approached and we were fortunate to capture some images and hear their tales.

Anjette Lyles, played by actress Angelia Hoomes, was a well known Macon restauranteur and notorious poisoner rumored to practice voodoo, but everyone ate her fried chicken anyway because it was so good! Although convicted for the fatal poisoning of 4 family members for their insurance money and sentenced for execution, it was not a proper fate for Southern ladies of the 1950’s, so she was deemed to be insane and institutionalized in Milledgeville’s Central State Hospital… where she worked as the cook.

Accused murderer Chester Burge, was believed to be behind his wife’s strangulation, even though he was recovering in the hospital at the time. Although wealthy and descended from an elite family, he was reviled by society for his shady business dealings and depraved personal life. Chester’s twisted story is brought vividly back to life by actor Phil Comer, who will also be appearing in an upcoming film as a commentator about this bizarre tale.

Here are more images from the 2015 Spring Spirit Stroll at Riverside Cemetery in Macon, Georgia:

Sister Mary Edward, nun and principal of Catholic Schools in Macon, appears by the Sisters of Mercy Cross.

The young Ella Lee DeHaven, reads love letters from her future Yankee husband whom she met as he marched through Georgia with Sherman. He later came back to live in Macon, where they were married.

Anne Royall, a journalist from Washington DC visited Macon in the 1830s where she met and interviewed Solomon Humphries, also known as “Free Sol,” a former slave who became a prosperous local businessman.

Special thanks to these reenactors who made pages from Macon’s history come vividly to life for us!

All photos and text ©2015 Robin Davis