Moxley Cemetery at the Cumberland Knob Recreation Area on the Blue Ridge Parkway

The Moxley Family cemetery is located in a fenced-off area near the large field at the Cumberland Knob Picnic Area. It is one of more than 75 cemeteries within the boundaries of the Blue Ridge Parkway, though most are not readily seen from the road or the pullouts, so you have to know where to look to find them. The Moxley cemetery is one of the more accessible burial sites.

The cemetery holds 19 graves dating from 1908 through the 1960s. Lore has it that the cemetery started with the death of Rebecca Moxley, who died in 1908. She had premonitions that she would die soon after her baby was born and asked to be buried under an apple tree at this location. Landowner Pack Murphy, figuring it was just her imagination, agreed, but three days after she gave birth she was dead. Honoring his promise, Murphy allowed Rebecca to be buried here. Rebecca’s parents and brothers are also buried here, along with members of the Wilson and Phipps families.

Grave of Rebecca Moxley at the Moxley Cemetery on the Blue Ridge Parkway

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