13 Famous People Who You Might Not Know Are Buried In North Carolina

Many celebrities and noteworthy individuals have called North Carolina home at some point in their lives. From actors to musicians, politicians, and athletes. And some elected for North Carolina to become their final resting place after death. In all honesty, there are way too many to name. But as we are approaching fall and spooky season (I know I know, it is a ways off but I'm ready), I figured sharing 13 of the famous people who are buried in North Carolina would be appropriate. And I have to say, some of these are people I would not have expected even had connections to North Carolina. Others make perfect sense are they were important members of the local community.

One exception was made on this list, for a noteworthy individual who technically is not buried here. Instead, his ashes are spread in a place that was special to him. Other than that, each of the other 12 individuals included on this list is buried somewhere in the state of North Carolina. Final resting sites include the mountains, the Piedmont, and on the coast. Each of these people left their mark and legacy on the world in their time. And they will forever be linked to our great state.

To create this list I consulted the website Find A Grave (www.findagrave.com). It's a great resource to figure out where any public figure you can imagine is buried! In fact, if you're truly curious it will even tell the cemetery plot where graves are located. In case, you know, you wanted to pay your own respects. So take a look at 13 of the most interesting famous people who are buried in North Carolina below. Do any of these surprise you? Perhaps you've even visited the gravesite of one or two of these individuals.

Jimmy V the National Championship-winning NC State basketball coach is buried in Raleigh, NC at Oakwood Cemetery. His battle with cancer that cost him his life was well-documented and his inspiring "Don't Give Up, Don't Ever Give Up" speech is still broadcast every year on ESPN.

Andy Griffith is best known for his namesake show The Andy Griffith Show based in the fictional town of Mayberry North Carolina. The star is buried in NC at the Griffith Family Estate on Roanoke Island.

Perhaps one of the most famous evangelists of all time, Billy Graham is buried in Charlotte on the grounds of the Billy Graham Library. Graham is best known for his annual Billy Graham Crusades which he hosted for more than 50 years.

Actress Ava Gardner was born in the small NC town of Grabtown. Though she passed away in England, she is buried in Sunset Memorial Park in Smithfield NC.

NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Sr was born in Kannapolis, NC. He was tragically killed in an accident in Daytona in 2001 and is buried in Mooresville, NC at the Earnhardt Estate.

Wolfman Jack was a DJ, actor, and entertainer whose legal name is Robert Weston Smith. His final resting place is the Smith Family Estate Cemetery in Belvidere, NC. 

Junior Johnson was another NASCAR driver who was a dominant racer in the 1950s and 60s. He later became a team owner. Junior Johnson is buried in Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Ronda, NC. 

Television reporter and journalist Charles Kuralt was born in Wilmington, NC. Perhaps best known for his series "On The Road", Kuralt is laid to rest in Old Chapel Hill Cemetary in Chapel Hill, NC.

Former Panther and Super Bowl winner with the Green Bay Packers Reggie White is buried at Glenwood Memorial Park in Mooresville. White passed away at the young age of 43 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame after his death. 

Professional wrestler Andre the Giant Roussimoff was born and died in France. While he isn't technically buried on the grounds of the Roussimoff Family Ranch, a place he loved dearly, his ashes are spread there. 

Another beloved character from the Andy Griffith Show, "Aunt Bee" or Francis Elizabeth Bavier continued to call North Carolina home and is buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Siler City, NC.

Yes, Buffalo Bob, Robert Smith, of the Howdy Doody Show is buried in North Carolina. The show's create retired to Hendersonville, NC is buried nearby at the Pinecrest Presbyterian Church Memorial Garden Flat Rock.