Holmes Hill Cemetery Project
Donation protected
Holmes Hill Cemetery is located within the small residential community of Kelly, North Carolina. Situated almost 3/4 of a mile off the beaten path in a wooded area, it is believed to have been established in the late 1700's as a community cemetery providing the residents of Kelly a place to bury their loved ones. Those laid to rest here include many of our loved ones, veterans of the Civil War, World War I, as well as children.
Over the years, the upkeep of the cemetery has been largely dependent on the kind community volunteers who have taken it upon themselves to clean it whenever time allows. Due the hectic schedules of many who volunteer, however, regular maintenance has unfortunately been sporadic.
Holmes Hill Cemetery is located in an area with sandy soil, which naturally inhibits the growth of many forms of grass and vegetation, so it has been incredibly difficult to have any sort of stable lawn growth. There are also no trees in the the cemetery.
A couple of people along with myself are now beginning a project designed to bring beauty to this small cemetery. Our goal is to clean the headstones to remove the dirt that has accumulated over the years. We are also going to attempt to plant grass after fertilizing the ground, as well as plant some ornamental and shade trees (Cedar,Crepe Myrtle, Dogwood, Pear, Sycamore, etc) which would bring a new element of beauty to the cemetery.
Unfortunately, we can't do it all by ourselves. A project this size needs your help in order to afford to buy the trees, grass and other items needed to properly do the job. We are humbly asking that you consider helping this project by giving whatever you can afford to help offset the costs of grass, trees, fertilizer and other various expenses which arise in maintaining and creating beauty in this space. We would also welcome anyone who wishes to donate their time by helping us in the work the cemetery needs.
To better organize out tasks and keep our efforts focused, we are performing the work in phases. Here is an overview of what those phases will entail:
Phase One: Headstone Cleaning
Many of the headstones in the cemetery have accumulated dirt, moss, stains and various other forms of grime over the decades. Our first phase focuses on gently cleaning these stones taking great care as to not damage them with harsh chemicals that can cause more harm than good.
Phase Two: Ground fertilization
During this phase we will attempt to prepare the topsoil of the cemetery with fertilizer that will aid the growth of grass when it's time to plant.
Phase Three: Planting Trees
In this phase, we will be planting a few trees around the perimeter of the cemetery fence, providing a more natural look to the border of the area. We will also plant other ornamental and shade trees which will grow to hopefully give the cemetery a garden-like atmosphere.
Phase Four: Planting Grass
This will be the longest, most challenging part of our beautification project. We will attempt to plant grass and have it grow successfully in the cemetery.
Phase Five: The entrance
During this phase, we will attempt to build on the new look of the cemetery by planting shrubs and grass at the entrance to the cemetery which will give it a natural extension into the outside world of the new beauty of the cemetery.
Phase Six: Maintenance
After the work is complete in the beautification project, we do not want to leave the cemetery to wither away back to nothing. With the money left over from the previous projects, we would like to set up a trust fund whereas someone can be paid to maintain the cemetery grounds.
Please seriously consider giving whatever you can afford to give. Together, we can turn this cemetery into a beautiful spot where those who have passed on would have been proud to call Holmes Hill Cemetery their final resting place, as well as a place family members can come and know their loved ones are resting in a beautiful place!
Please contact us if you have any questions, and like our Facebook page to keep up with the latest updates and join others who express an interest in helping this project. Thank you so much!
--Glenn Davis
Over the years, the upkeep of the cemetery has been largely dependent on the kind community volunteers who have taken it upon themselves to clean it whenever time allows. Due the hectic schedules of many who volunteer, however, regular maintenance has unfortunately been sporadic.
Holmes Hill Cemetery is located in an area with sandy soil, which naturally inhibits the growth of many forms of grass and vegetation, so it has been incredibly difficult to have any sort of stable lawn growth. There are also no trees in the the cemetery.
A couple of people along with myself are now beginning a project designed to bring beauty to this small cemetery. Our goal is to clean the headstones to remove the dirt that has accumulated over the years. We are also going to attempt to plant grass after fertilizing the ground, as well as plant some ornamental and shade trees (Cedar,Crepe Myrtle, Dogwood, Pear, Sycamore, etc) which would bring a new element of beauty to the cemetery.
Unfortunately, we can't do it all by ourselves. A project this size needs your help in order to afford to buy the trees, grass and other items needed to properly do the job. We are humbly asking that you consider helping this project by giving whatever you can afford to help offset the costs of grass, trees, fertilizer and other various expenses which arise in maintaining and creating beauty in this space. We would also welcome anyone who wishes to donate their time by helping us in the work the cemetery needs.
To better organize out tasks and keep our efforts focused, we are performing the work in phases. Here is an overview of what those phases will entail:
Phase One: Headstone Cleaning
Many of the headstones in the cemetery have accumulated dirt, moss, stains and various other forms of grime over the decades. Our first phase focuses on gently cleaning these stones taking great care as to not damage them with harsh chemicals that can cause more harm than good.
Phase Two: Ground fertilization
During this phase we will attempt to prepare the topsoil of the cemetery with fertilizer that will aid the growth of grass when it's time to plant.
Phase Three: Planting Trees
In this phase, we will be planting a few trees around the perimeter of the cemetery fence, providing a more natural look to the border of the area. We will also plant other ornamental and shade trees which will grow to hopefully give the cemetery a garden-like atmosphere.
Phase Four: Planting Grass
This will be the longest, most challenging part of our beautification project. We will attempt to plant grass and have it grow successfully in the cemetery.
Phase Five: The entrance
During this phase, we will attempt to build on the new look of the cemetery by planting shrubs and grass at the entrance to the cemetery which will give it a natural extension into the outside world of the new beauty of the cemetery.
Phase Six: Maintenance
After the work is complete in the beautification project, we do not want to leave the cemetery to wither away back to nothing. With the money left over from the previous projects, we would like to set up a trust fund whereas someone can be paid to maintain the cemetery grounds.
Please seriously consider giving whatever you can afford to give. Together, we can turn this cemetery into a beautiful spot where those who have passed on would have been proud to call Holmes Hill Cemetery their final resting place, as well as a place family members can come and know their loved ones are resting in a beautiful place!
Please contact us if you have any questions, and like our Facebook page to keep up with the latest updates and join others who express an interest in helping this project. Thank you so much!
--Glenn Davis
Organizer
Glenn Davis
Organizer
Kelly, NC
