09/20/2024
Mountain Home Cemetery is a wonderful, historical cemetery that lies to the south of Guy Berry School. The original acre of land was donated to the City when the original Charter was filed to become a City, to be used as a burial ground. There were already graves within that acre. During the years there was an association formed to raise money and oversee the care of it. Unfortunately, like many other Cemeteries, as older generations passed there were fewer and fewer people able to serve on the Board. About 10 plus years ago the City was ask to take back over the management of the Cemetery, and did. A Board was appointed of willing volunteers. There are no designated tax dollars for the maintenance and care. We operate on lot sales and donations. We currently have two ways for people to donate. We have an endowment fund, through the Twin Lakes Community Foundation,and an operations fund which is used for the maintenance and improvements for the Cemetery.
Contributions to both these funds can be sent to Mountain Home Cemetery, 720 Hickory St, Mountain Home, AR 72653. Please designate which fund your donation is for. The endowment fund builds funds for the future, the maintenance funds are current expenses. Both are extremely important to the Cemetery.
The improvements made to the Cemetery since the
City has taken over the management, fence around the whole Cemetery, the entry sign, information center, and flagpole, have all been specific donations for those projects, made by individuals or groups of individuals. Over the years we have talked about getting more lighting and cameras. I have heard Carry Manuel say that the best way to deter vandalism is to light up an area, when he was Police Chief. It comes down to current costs, funds available and bugeting for the future maintenance, as first priorities, then what’s available for improvements. The Cemetery is currently a little over 6 acres. There have not been the funds available. Anyone that might want to specifically help with those projects please contact me.
Anyone willing to help with cleaning or extra maintenance in the cemetery please send us your contact information. Paul and Kevin usually have one day or two a year they have special projects they work on. They use volunteer individuals and groups. Volunteer Physical help is as valuable as money.
Last week one of the older monuments was knocked over, whether intentional or not is a question. Thankfully, it did not break and is being fixed, and it was the only one. Contributions are tax deductible. As you start your year end planning please consider giving to the Mountain Home Cemetery.
Thank you,
Marshella Norell, Chair
Mountain Home Cemetery Board
870-404-2868
[email protected]
