True Story

So I went to Savannah for my Papas funeral and as we were all sitting around the table I learned this story and typed it up on the spot because it was such a gem that I couldn't pass it up.

FYI- Uncle Dan is my great uncle, my grannies brother.

The Theft of Uncle Dans’ Body

His whole life Uncle Dan had wanted to be buried in the Canoochee Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery. His final wish was for his body to one day be laid to rest alongside the dearly departed that had gone before.

Upon his death however, his second wife had other plans- Aunt Edna wished for Uncle Dan to be cremated. Of course, the family would not hear of this. Aunt Nell, Aunt Ola, Aunt Georgia, Granny Rita were not going to let this be. Aunt Nell called the funeral home from Canoochee and had them bring a hearse to pick up Uncle Dan’s body from Fox and Weeks. Uncle Dan was loaded into the hearse, about to be on his way to rest alongside his dearly departed when the police arrived to investigate a case of body snatching. As it turns out, Aunt Edna’s children had gotten wind of the plan to steal Uncle Dan and lay him to rest in Canoochee and had called the police in order to prevent the theft. Later, Aunt Edna called Uncle Dan’s sister, Aunt Nell , to broker a deal. If they would pay the cost of the funeral bills and any unpaid medical expenses Uncle Dan’s body would be theirs to do with what they may. The next day Uncle Dan was theirs for the low, low price of $3,000.


*His son was in state prison at the time and was allowed to come to the funeral in handcuffs where he eulogized his father.