The date was Jan. 31, 1915. Romany Gypsy Queen and her people had driven their wagons to a place near Coatopa, Alabama. While there, the Queen went into labor to deliver her 14th child. As history has recorded, the Queen did not survive the birth.

Her husband, King Emil, although stricken with deep grief, had to contemplate a disturbing problem. They were Romany gypsies, and not just any gypsy, but the King and Queen of the Romany Gypsies of North America. He knew he must act quickly to find a funeral home with either ice or refrigeration, because the people would come. Yes, their dedicated followers would travel, no matter the distance, no matter the weather conditions; they would come to honor and grieve the Queen’s death.

It was speculated at the time that 20,000 people, including Romany gypsies and Meridian citizens, visited the funeral home while she lay-in-state for 12 days in mid-February, and 5,000 people walked in the procession to Rose Hill Cemetery. It was a cold day; the horse-drawn funeral hearse traversed west following Seventh Street to the cemetery through the very gates that stand there today. As was tradition, the Romany gypsy men, bare-headed, followed the hearse on foot. The Queen’s body was placed in a mahogany casket, which was covered with glass. The women rode in carriages.

The Queen’s burial was the first Romany Gypsy interred in Rose Hill. Because of the love and dedication the Romany people had for their Queen, one by one as each family member died, they, too, were brought to Rose Hill Cemetery. Today there are more than a dozen buried near their Queen.

 

Today Romany gypsies continue their pilgrimage to Rose Hill. Many leave small gifts and trinkets on the Queen’s grave with the great hope she will come to them in their dreams to solve life problems, and maybe she does. Many times when I’ve visited the cemetery I see them, the Romany visitors. The look upon each face is almost one of adoration. The memories and stories of their Queen drive the people to search for her, and once found resting peacefully in Rose Hill, their mission is complete.

 

One hundred and ten years is a long time, but the Queen’s memory remains fresh and new to many, and they want to know more. It is Meridian history.

 

Saturday, beginning at noon in downtown Meridian, is an opportunity to learn Romany Gypsy Queen, Kelly Mitchell’s life story. How did she and many members of her family come to be interred in this small southern town?

 

Come and be a part of Meridian history.

 

What: Meridian Downtown History Walk (15 stories are on the tour)

Please: Begins at Dumont Plaza

Time: Noon until 4 p.m.

Presented by: Rose Hill Storytellers

Great for all ages, especially children

 

Anne McKee is executive director of Meridian Railroad Museum.