Famous File 3/15/2012

March Madness at Historic Oakwood Cemetery

By Robin Simonton

How many Graveyard Rabbits are basketball fans?  Here in America, spring doesn’t only bring flowers, but March Madness, the NCAA Basketball Tournament.  In a community nestled in the Triangle of North Carolina lies a cemetery of 102 acres just outside of downtown Raleigh.  Historic Oakwood Cemetery is home to many famous and infamous, with nearly 22,000 permanent residents, you shouldn’t be surprised.  We’re the final resting place of Senator Jesse Helms, Elizabeth Edwards, Madelin Jones- the co-founder of Mother’s Day, and many, many more.

But in March, Raleigh turns its hopes for NC State to return to the Big Dance.  The home of NC State University, Raleigh hasn’t seen a National Championship in the tournament since 1983. And in that magical year, Coach Jimmy V,  James Valvano, led his team to that championship.  The game winning shot was made by Lorenzo Charles.  And both rest at Historic Oakwood Cemetery.

Jimmy V is interred in Cedar Hill.  He overlooks the Field of Honor, the section of the cemetery dedicated to veterans. His monument is beautiful black granite, imported from Italy. Upon his death from cancer in 1994, his widow placed him in the community mausoleum. After 6 months, he was placed in this scenic section of the cemetery, where he still rests today. 

But who was Jimmy V?  James Valvano, born in Queens, NY on March 10, 1946, was full of spirit.  He was an emotional coach, who lived by the motto, “never give up, never give up, never give up!”  The Cardiac Pack brought JOY to Raleigh in 1983 as they cut down the nets (it’s not easy being on Tobacco Road, close to both Duke and UNC- Chapel Hill, trust me!) After coaching his team to a coveted national championship, accusations surfaced of rules violations, he was forced to resign after the 1990 season. 

But still to Raleigh, Jimmy V = NC State and March Madness.  His heart and courage live on in the Jimmy V Foundation, which raises millions of dollars for cancer research each year. 

But what of the man who made that game winning, buzzer beating slam dunk in March of 1983? Lorenzo “Lo” Charles, a graduate of Brooklyn Technical High School, left an indelible impression on NC State sport fans.  Lorenzo was well-loved and supported over the years, and people often saw him in Raleigh (which thrilled them to no end!).  Sadly on June 27, 2011, our beloved “Lo” , then a driver of a motor coach bus, died in a bus accident on I-40.  No one else was on the bus.   Whether you were a Duke, Carolina or State fan, you mourned the loss of Lorenzo Charles.  His beloved Wolfpack Club helped pay for a grave space in Cedar Hill Terrace, just down the hill from his famed coach.  While his grave space still does not have a permanent marker, his grave is well visited.  He is still adored by fans. 

Lorenzo Charles’ grave at Historic Oakwood Cemetery

View of Jimmy V’s grave from Lorenzo Charles’ resting place.  Still a team, even in death.

Eight weeks before the death of Jimmy Valvano, he accepted the Arthur Ashe Award at the ESPY awards.  He talked about the importance of laughter, appreciating the time one’s given, and his favorite mantra, to never give up.   He may be gone from this earth, however, his spirit lives on.  When March Madness rolls around each year, many of us in Raleigh can still picture his jubilance after Lo’s game winning shot that brought home the National Championship.  

This March, may your team be as talented as the 1983 NCAA Champions.  As the stadium goes wild with the win, picture Jimmy V and Lorenzo Charles cheering them on!  (Especially if it’s their Wolfpack!)