Organized in 1841, Sunset Cemetery has remained Shelby's most popular burial ground for over 160 years. The oldest section of the cemetery is the northwest quadrant of the "old section". Located here are numerous examples of mid-to-late nineteenth century funerary art including grave boxes, beautiful marble angels, tall obelisks, and family plots surrounded by ornate wrought iron fences. The visitor will also note the narrow tree lined lanes designed for carriages that add to the cemetery's charm. Sunset Cemetery is the final resting place for several noteworthy individuals of both statewide and national significance. Figures of national prominence interred here include W.J. Cash (1900-1941), author of the pivotal work, "Mind of the South" which argued that in spite of the tumultuous and catastrophic events that have bombarded the South, the traditional mindset of the southerner has remained unchanged. In what is perhaps one of the great ironies of Southern History, buried not more than 50 yards away is Thomas Dixon, Jr. (1864-1946), author of "The Clansman" and "The Leopard's Spots", from which emerged the highly controversial film "Birth of a Nation." Figures of limited statewide significance interred here include Plato Durham (1840-1875), a Confederate veteran and prominent Southern leader during the Reconstruction era; Clyde Hoey (1877-1954), who served as Governor of North Carolina from 1937-1941 and in later years, was a United States Senator; and O. Max Gardner, former Governor of North Carolina from 1928-1932 and Ambassador to Great Britain (he died before going overseas in 1947).

Also, on November 22, 2003, country music legend Don Gibson  was put to rest in his hometown at Sunset Cemetery.  For more information click here.

For GPS directions to Sunset Cemetery click the icon below.