Four and a half years after being placed in a receivership by the state, the former Cedar Ridge Cemetery is once again locally owned and managed.
The name of the cemetery is now Gray Memorial Gardens and is owned by Scott Walston, who is also the owner of Gray Memorial Chapel and Crematory located at 4378 Gray Highway.
Walston has owned the mortuary since July of 2018. He said in a July 28 interview that he received word that the court order to approve the purchase of the cemetery was signed July 24 by Superior Court Judge Alison Burleson.
“It’s a done deal, but we are waiting to receive the deed,” he said.
Walston said he has been working toward the ownership of the cemetery located at 111 Greene Settlement Road since he purchased the funeral home. The cemetery property was previously owned by Jerry Bridges Sr., who also owned the funeral home but was a separate entity that was under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of State’s office.
“The state tried to sell it but ultimately decided we were the best option,” he said.
The new owner said he hopes the local ownership of the cemetery is seen as a positive move for the community. He said the cemetery will be revitalized just as the funeral home was after it was purchased.
“We are going to build an office space on site to serve the community. The revitalization will include landscaping and taking care of the trees,” Walston said.
Perhaps the most important part of the new ownership is Walston said all contracts and deeds for plots sold under the Cedar Ridge name will be honored.
“All we need are copies of the sales contract or deeds,” he said.
Appointments can be made to talk to Walston or Gray Memorial staff by calling 478-986-1311.
Walston said the cemetery has been under a receivership since 2021, and that has presented challenges for property owners.
“We want to improve that image,” he said. “We have new lots for sale and are opening up new areas.”
Walston said some of the benefits of the local ownership include streamlined, cost-effective services, one point of contact for all arrangements and seamless convenience from chapel service to graveside.
The owner said he hopes the improvements will motivate people who have been uncertain to make the plans they need for their families.
“The Walston family has made a long-term commitment to Gray and Jones County. My son Daniel is already working on his degree and will be ready to take over in the future,” he said.
Scott Walston said ownership of the cemetery was always the goal.
“When we started, we knew this was the outcome we wanted,” he said.
