What Cemetery Is Hank Aaron Buried In? The Complete Guide to the Final Resting Place of the Home Run King

Hank Aaron, one of baseball‘s immortal figures and the former home run king, passed away in January 2021 at the age of 86. He was laid to rest in Atlanta‘s historic South-View Cemetery, where he now rests alongside other civil rights pioneers who helped shape the city‘s history. For baseball fans and admirers of Aaron‘s cultural impact, his gravesite has become a revered spot to pay tribute to his remarkable legacy.

In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll explore Aaron‘s legendary career and life, the significance of South-View Cemetery, details on his funeral and gravesite, and how Aaron made a lasting impact both on and off the field. Let‘s take a closer look at the final resting place of "Hammerin‘ Hank" Aaron.

A Brief Biography of Hank Aaron

Before digging into the details around his burial site, it‘s worth learning about Aaron‘s origins and his path to becoming one of baseball‘s most celebrated figures. Here‘s a quick background on the Hall of Famer:

• Born Henry Louis Aaron in 1934 in Mobile, Alabama
• Grew up in a poor family during the Jim Crow era of legalized segregation
• Signed his first pro baseball contract with Indianapolis Clowns in 1952
• Debuted with Milwaukee Braves in 1954 after 2 years in minors
• Played 23 MLB seasons with Braves & Brewers
• Retired in 1976 at age 42 with a wealth of all-time records

Despite racism and death threats during his career, Aaron displayed awe-inspiring consistency and excellence. He calmly broke barriers while racking up feats like 2,297 RBIs, 6,856 total bases, and a then-record 755 home runs.

Now, let‘s look closer at Aaron‘s final resting place in Atlanta, Georgia.

Overview of Atlanta‘s Historic South-View Cemetery

Since his retirement from baseball over 45 years ago, Hank Aaron called Atlanta his home. So it is fitting that he is now buried at South-View Cemetery, which is located just a couple miles south of downtown Atlanta.

Founded in 1886, South-View is the oldest cemetery created specifically for African American burials in the greater Atlanta area. The historic 125-acre cemetery is the final resting place for a number of prominent civil rights activists, entrepreneurs, religious leaders, and pioneers who were foundational in Black history.

Some of the influential African Americans buried at South-View Cemetery include:

• Alonzo Herndon – Founder of Atlanta Life Insurance Company
• William A. Scott – Founder of Atlanta Daily World newspaper
• Bishop Wesley John Gaines – Founder of the AME Church in Georgia
• Austin T. Walden – Influential Atlanta politician and judge
• Bishop Henry McNeal Turner – Early civil rights activist

The cemetery was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004 both for its age and its role in memorializing key figures in Atlanta‘s African American heritage.

Details on Hank Aaron‘s Funeral and Gravesite

Legendary slugger Hank Aaron passed away on January 22, 2021 at the age of 86 after battling cancer. After a private funeral service attended by family and close friends, he was laid to rest in South-View Cemetery in a private crypt on January 27.

The list of speakers and dignitaries at Aaron‘s memorial service illustrated the enormous impact he had both on baseball and on the larger American society. Speakers included:

• Former president Barack Obama (via video)
• MLB commissioner Rob Manfred
• Former president Bill Clinton (via video)
• Andrew Young (civil rights leader)
• Billye Suber Aaron (Hank‘s widow)
• Family members

While the funeral was private, the cemetery was opened briefly after the service for visitors to pay respects. The site of Aaron‘s grave has become a place of pilgrimage for devoted baseball fans in the years since his passing.

Flowers, notes, and other mementos are frequently left at the foot of the stone crypt marking his grave. Visitors to the cemetery are still able to locate his grave in the Oak Hill section, surrounded by the plots of his parents and other family members.

Aaron‘s Legendary Career By The Numbers

During his 23-year MLB career, Hank Aaron compiled a resume of feats that cement him as one of the greatest all-around hitters ever. Here are just some of the eye-popping numbers he put up over three decades:

• 755 career home runs (record stood for 33 years)
• 2,297 career RBIs (MLB record)
• 624 home runs with Braves franchise
• 3,771 career hits (MLB record)
• .305 career batting average
• 25 All-Star Game selections
• 1957 NL MVP Award winner
• Won 2 NL batting titles (1956, 1959)
• 6,856 career total bases (MLB record)

Comparison of Stats Among MLB Home Run Kings

Aaron‘s awe-inspiring power and consistency made him a feared slugger from the mid-1950s through the mid-1970s. After his long run atop MLB‘s all-time home run chart, he was surpassed by Barry Bonds in 2007.

Aaron‘s Business Acumen Post-Retirement

When Aaron‘s incredible playing career came to an end, he settled in Atlanta and built an extremely successful business empire in the city. Through smart investments and partnerships, Aaron amassed a personal net worth estimated around $50 million.

Some of Aaron‘s savvy business moves included:

• Launched Lakeshore Chrysler-Plymouth dealership in the 1970s
• Co-opened multiple Hank Aaron BMW dealerships in 1990s
• Founded Hank Aaron Petty Enterprises (Lexus dealership)
• Started 755 Restaurant Corporation
• Launched Atlanta Beverage Company (Coca-Cola bottler)
• Served on boards of Georgia Power and the Boys and Girls Club

In addition to car dealerships, Aaron owned multiple restaurants and a Budweiser distributorship in Atlanta over the years. He joins Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson among retired superstar athletes who became immensely successful in the business sphere.

Tribute to Aaron in Milwaukee, Where It All Began

Although Aaron is closely associated with the Atlanta Braves, he actually began his major league career with the Milwaukee Braves in 1954 before the team relocated to Atlanta.

To honor his 13 seasons and many feats with the Milwaukee franchise, the Brewers constructed the impressive Hank Aaron Wall at Miller Park in 2002. The mammoth 70-foot tribute features a huge mural of Aaron as well as plaques detailing his greatest career achievements.

The Hank Aaron Wall ensures that Milwaukee fans will never forget Aaron‘s first MLB chapter, when he blossomed into a star who later became "Hammerin‘ Hank," the home run king.

Conclusion

The all-time hits and RBI leader remains one of the most iconic, decorated, and complete players in the history of baseball. Though he passed away in early 2021, Aaron‘s legacy lives on at his gravesite in South-View Cemetery in his adopted hometown of Atlanta.

Baseball enthusiasts, civil rights admirers, and all who appreciate sports history continue to pay homage to Hank Aaron through flowers and quiet reflection at his final resting place. While he may be gone, the great Hank Aaron is immortalized at South-View alongside so many influential figures who shaped the culture of Atlanta.