Three members of the Florida Highwaymen, including the group’s only woman, are being honored on the Treasure Coast with a new mosaic grave caps.The tribute took place Friday morning at Pine Grove Cemetery in Fort Pierce, the burial place of nine of the original 26 highwaymen.The unveiling included a new mosaic grave cap for Rodney Demps, Al Black and Mary Ann Carroll.Highwayman Rodney Demps’ widow, Sharon Demps, described the event at surreal.”I’m just glad to see not only Rodney but the highwaymen get the honor that they so deserve and how appropriate Black History Month and everything, couldn’t have picked a better time,” Sharon Demps said.FLORIDA HIGHWAYMEN: The only woman among the Highwaymen diesHis youngest daughter Kirsten Demps explained why it’s so important.”It inspires youth today to continue to pursue art,” Kirsten Demps said.Stephanie Denmark Black believes her father, Al Black would be pleased.”He would be proud of the highwaymen and the accomplishment is great,” Stephanie Denmark Black said.Kandy Ingraham believes her mother Mary Ann Carroll would be proud.”She always said, we got to make this happen. She always felt like it was going to happen but of course it wasn’t her time but I’m here standing for her thinking of her,” Ingraham said. “Yeah, mom we did it!”The Florida Highwaymen were a group of black artists who broke barriers during the segregation era of the 1960’s.Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 NewsThey sold their landscape paintings along Florida’s roadways because they were not allowed to display their art in the traditional galleries of museums.Mosaic artist Anita Prentice worked with the highwaymen families and the city and created grave caps for several artists. “What I hope for is that when creative people go through hard times, they are able to continue through it and become even more and they can do even more and then their children do more and then their grandchildren do more,” Prentice said. “A creative community is the best community.”The city will celebrate its 9th annual Highwaymen Heritage Trail Art Show and Festival Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, from 10am to 3pm at Moore’s Creek Linear Park located at 435 N 7th Street, at the corner of Avenue D and 7th Street in the historic Lincoln Park neighborhood. This free event serves as a tribute to the birthplace of the Highwaymen Artists.Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25
FORT PIERCE, Fla. —
Three members of the Florida Highwaymen, including the group’s only woman, are being honored on the Treasure Coast with a new mosaic grave caps.
The tribute took place Friday morning at Pine Grove Cemetery in Fort Pierce, the burial place of nine of the original 26 highwaymen.
The unveiling included a new mosaic grave cap for Rodney Demps, Al Black and Mary Ann Carroll.
Highwayman Rodney Demps’ widow, Sharon Demps, described the event at surreal.
“I’m just glad to see not only Rodney but the highwaymen get the honor that they so deserve and how appropriate Black History Month and everything, couldn’t have picked a better time,” Sharon Demps said.
FLORIDA HIGHWAYMEN: The only woman among the Highwaymen dies
His youngest daughter Kirsten Demps explained why it’s so important.
“It inspires youth today to continue to pursue art,” Kirsten Demps said.
Stephanie Denmark Black believes her father, Al Black would be pleased.
“He would be proud of the highwaymen and the accomplishment is great,” Stephanie Denmark Black said.
Kandy Ingraham believes her mother Mary Ann Carroll would be proud.
“She always said, we got to make this happen. She always felt like it was going to happen but of course it wasn’t her time but I’m here standing for her thinking of her,” Ingraham said. “Yeah, mom we did it!”
The Florida Highwaymen were a group of black artists who broke barriers during the segregation era of the 1960’s.
Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News
They sold their landscape paintings along Florida’s roadways because they were not allowed to display their art in the traditional galleries of museums.
Mosaic artist Anita Prentice worked with the highwaymen families and the city and created grave caps for several artists.
“What I hope for is that when creative people go through hard times, they are able to continue through it and become even more and they can do even more and then their children do more and then their grandchildren do more,” Prentice said. “A creative community is the best community.”
The city will celebrate its 9th annual Highwaymen Heritage Trail Art Show and Festival Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, from 10am to 3pm at Moore’s Creek Linear Park located at 435 N 7th Street, at the corner of Avenue D and 7th Street in the historic Lincoln Park neighborhood.
This free event serves as a tribute to the birthplace of the Highwaymen Artists.
Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25