Elisha and Essie Handy came to La Fayette in 1925 and became educators active in civic and religious life. In 1940, after their oldest son Ralph died from tuberculosis and was buried in the town's only cemetery for African-Americans, Essie Handy went throughout the community seeking contributions to buy land from Judge Grady for a new African-American cemetery. In 1949 she had her son's body exhumed and moved to the new community cemetery that bore her name. She led a prolific life, becoming in 1945 the first African-American to vote in Chambers County and gaining recognition as a Civil Rights leader in the area. She met with President Lyndon B. Johnson and was invited to his 1965 inauguration. She privately operated the cemetery until her death in 1977, after which it was deeded to the City of Lafayette, which recognized her achievements and impact on the community.