CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman County Cemetery Board is hoping the community will support their efforts as they continue to make improvements at Cullman Memory Gardens. The Memory Gardens spent five years in federal bankruptcy and two with the current owners.
Board member Amy Walker explained, “The owners who have it now, they got it at the conclusion of the bankruptcy as collateral for money they had loaned the previous owner.” The goal is for the board to achieve the ability to take ownership of the cemetery.
Representative Randall Shedd is pleased with the progress made at the cemetery. He said to the board members, “Y’all have done a tremendous amount of work. The volunteers have kept it going when nobody would. I said one time that the light was at the end of the tunnel, but we are further in the tunnel than I thought. Progress is being made by these folks.”
The Board released a statement Thursday morning regarding the cemetery and Mausoleum and their efforts including their efforts to gain ownership of the cemetery.
“We hope you have noticed things look a little different at Cullman Memory Gardens. In 2016, an act of the Alabama Legislature established a Cullman County Cemetery Board. The purpose of this board was to improve the condition of the for-profit neglected cemetery located in Cullman County and we all can agree that Cullman Memory Gardens has been neglected. Currently this board is making improvements to the cemetery under a lease agreement with the current owner and in the months ahead, hope to have ownership of the cemetery. Representative Randall Shedd along with the Cullman County Legislative delegation was responsible for this bill that has created a path for things to be better. No situation is perfect, but we feel as a board that families can feel hopeful for the first time about where their loved ones are resting. Some of the things we have been able to accomplish include demolishing the two buildings that were an eyesore to the cemetery, pressure washing the mausoleum building, having tree stumps removed and removing old shrubs. In addition, the fountain has become a beautiful, planted area and a new American flag is in place. While we have accomplished a lot, we still have more work to do.
We will have the cemetery professionally mowed and edged before Sunday, May 9, which is decoration Sunday for Cullman Memory Gardens. Our volunteer mowers have done an amazing job mowing the cemetery and without them, the cemetery would have been overgrown by weeds and grass. We very much appreciate everything they have done but we would like to give them some help with the job of mowing in the months ahead.”
On the topic of Decoration, it continued,
“Decoration weekend, we will have temporary event quality bathrooms available on-site for visitors and family. We hope to have the chapel open for family members to be able to honor their loved ones. A tent will be set up for information and donations. There will be thousands of dollars of cost involved in gaining ownership of Memory Gardens. Donations can be made in person or mailed to the new post office box at the Cullman Post Office. That address is P.O. Box 964, Cullman, Alabama 35056. Please make your donations to Cullman Memory Gardens Cemetery Foundation. Your donation is tax deductible. All donations will be used for the upkeep and maintenance of Memory Gardens.
“Cullman County Cemetery Board Members are Ron Faust, Austin Hall, Jerry Smith, Amy Walker and Eddie Williams. Members of the board serve without compensation. We are honored to have been appointed by the legislative delegation to serve in this capacity. Each of us has loved ones in the cemetery or mausoleum.
“We appreciate your support and patience as we work to make Memory Gardens once again a place of peace and abiding beauty.”
Walker explained some of the other repairs needed at the mausoleum, “The roof of the mausoleum needs repair. There is a four–foot–by–five–foot hole in the roof that has been there for over six months.” She added, “The best way anybody can help is like anything else, is money.”
Under former ownership, Decoration weekend was observed on Memorial Day weekend and board members do anticipate that some families will come this weekend to place flowers. A tent will be set up with members of the board to provide information and also accept donations for ongoing improvements.
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