Eldren Bailey (1903-1987) was a sculptor known for large concrete sculptures. Born in Flovilla, Georgia, he moved to Atlanta at an early age. He first worked with the railroads, but he later became a mason. Many of his sculptures were brightly colored and adorned his front yard. Where he was most prolific though was helping many Black-owned funeral homes with the creation of grave markers.
Admittedly, I had always interpreted these as temporary markers, and for some families, they might have been true. For many, these markers are now permanent. Bailey’s markers differ from many of the other concrete markers seen in Black cemeteries.
Some of his larger pieces did end up in museums, but many of the sculptures seen in his front yard have disappeared.
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Cynthia, can you please tell me where the crypt photo was taken and who it is for? Thanks so much.
It is in Lincoln Cemetery in Atlanta. Carmel Harmon is the name on the marker.
I have several of these to preserve in North Georgia. I will not touch them until I get an analysis of the substances he used in the mold process. I need to know the Portland cement/sand ratio and his techniques to produce these during the times . Do you have any family contact information that would lead us to his journal or a sibling that helped him craft these beautiful pieces?
You might want to contact Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta. They have a few of these that they have preserved. Insofar siblings, they’ve all passed. I’ve read that his nephews helped him, but they have also passed away.