In 1993, Fletch Coke approached the Metro Archives with a significant idea: creating a database of all cemeteries and graveyards in Davidson County. This project aimed to protect these sacred spaces from vandalism and destruction by developers, which was becoming prevalent as the county announced major expansion plans.
Despite the scale of the undertaking, Metro Archivist Ken Fieth recognized its importance and agreed. Coke led the effort, seeking approval from local officials and developing the survey process. The project officially launched in 1999 with twelve volunteers and twelve recorded cemeteries.
By the time the final entry was added in 2022, 375 volunteers had documented and protected 601 cemeteries across the county. Coke funded a professional designer to create a Metro Archives web page, making the database widely accessible. “If not for Fletch, many of the life stories written on those ancient gray stones would be lost,” said Fieth.
This project marked the beginning of over three decades of Coke’s influence in preserving the county’s rich history. She created and funded numerous projects and acquired significant collections for Metro Archives from individual patrons. True to the spirit of a public library, Coke remains committed to making the Archives’ work available online, funding the website hosting fees.
“Fletch Coke is one of those rare individuals who come along every century or so that truly embrace the concept of Patron. She understands that once these records are lost, the life experiences of generations are gone, leaving only silence,” said Fieth.
One of Coke’s most recent and passionate projects is the Nashville Enslaved and Free People of Color Database, the only searchable database of enslaved people in Tennessee. Fieth had the idea to start the database in 1995, and he began collecting names of enslaved people in the Chancery court records. He later tasked Archives Librarian Kelley Sirko with expanding the project, and she spent hundreds of hours combing through court records, deeds, and the Nashville Contract Book for enslaved people (acquired by Coke). Coke provided funding to hire an intern to assist with data entry, and to date, the database holds 14,734 searchable records for people enslaved in Davidson County between 1783-1860.
Click here to explore the Nashville Enslaved and Free People of Color Database. To support the important work of the Archives, click here.