Dougherty County

Fannie (1880-1891) and Willie (1876-1880) Bell were sisters who never met. Little Willie died only a couple months before Fannie was born. These monuments illustrate how much loss some families could face in short time due to childhood diseases in accidents.

Approximately 32% of all children in the US would pass away before the age of 5 in 1885. Cholera, yellow fever, smallpox, and diphtheria were leading causes of death in the 1800s. In comparison, in 2020, childhood deaths were below 1%. (Mortality rates from statista.com).

These markers can be found in Oakview Cemetery in Albany, Georgia.