Westview Community Cemetery facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Westview Community Cemetery

Entrance gate viewed from inside cemetery (image is flipped horizontally for clarity)
Details
Established	1952
Location	Dr B J McCormick Ave, Pompano Beach, FL 33069
Country	USA
Style	Above ground vaults

Westview Community Cemetery is a special and historic cemetery in Pompano Beach, Florida. It's a place where many African-American people from the area have been laid to rest. This cemetery was started in 1952 during a time when laws kept different groups of people separate.

At that time, African-Americans in Florida could not be buried in the same cemeteries as white people. A kind local businessman named Paul Hunter, Sr., donated the land for Westview Community Cemetery. This allowed African-American families in Pompano Beach to have a proper place to bury their loved ones.

Westview Community Cemetery is also the final resting place for some famous people. These include Esther Rolle, an actress known for the 1970s TV show Good Times. Her sister, Estelle Evans, who was in the 1962 movie To Kill a Mockingbird, is also buried here.

History of Westview Community Cemetery

Westview Community Cemetery was established in 1952. This was a time when many parts of the United States had laws that separated people based on their race. These laws were called "segregation."

Because of segregation, African-Americans often had separate schools, hospitals, and even cemeteries. Paul Hunter, Sr., understood this need in Pompano Beach. He generously gave the land to create a cemetery specifically for the African-American community.

This act of kindness provided a dignified place for families to honor and remember those who had passed away. The cemetery became an important part of the community's history and heritage.

Notable People Buried Here

Westview Community Cemetery is the resting place for several important individuals. Two of the most well-known are sisters who became famous actresses.

Esther Rolle

Esther Rolle's gravesite at Westview Community Cemetery

Esther Rolle was born in Pompano Beach, Florida, in 1920. She became a very successful actress. Many people remember her best for her role as Florida Evans in the popular 1970s TV sitcom Good Times.

Rolle also appeared in many other movies and TV shows. She was known for playing strong, dignified characters. She passed away in 1998 and was buried in her hometown's Westview Community Cemetery.

Estelle Evans

Estelle Evans was Esther Rolle's older sister. She was also an actress. She is famous for her role as Calpurnia in the classic 1962 film To Kill a Mockingbird.

Like her sister, Estelle Evans had a long career in acting. She appeared in various films and television productions. She passed away in 1994 and is buried alongside her sister at Westview Community Cemetery.

Gallery

See also

In Spanish: Cementerio Comunitario de Westview para niños