'It's just terrible.' Despite new leadership, families say problems persist at Dunn cemetery
Sinking and overgrown graves are some of the conditions in a Harnett County cemetery.
Concerned family members said problems have been going on for years at Harnett Devotional Gardens. They hoped the new owner with Faithful Heritage Holdings would fix problems, like potholes in the road, at the cemetery in Dunn.
Instead, families said the problems seem to be getting worse.
"It's horrible. I don't understand," said Lynda Strickland.
Strickland said she wants to find peace at the grounds since her 24-year-old daughter is buried there.
"I came out every week when she was first buried. I came out every day," she said.
Strickland said the conditions were less than ideal, and that she personally used a five-gallon bucket to fill a hole in the cemetery.
Other family members said they’ve complained countless times to the owners about crumbling driveways and hit-and-miss lawn care. Some have gone out of their way to do lawn maintenance on their own.
Cheyann Barefoot said she's saddened by the lack of upkeep in the place her father was laid to rest.
"My son came and weed-eated his daddy's grave," said Barefoot.
An audit in 2020 found more than $135,000 missing from several trust funds there, according to the North Carolina Cemetery Commission.
Ruth Thornquest, the owner of Faithful Heritage Holdings, did not respond to WRAL-TV's request for comment.
Strickland said she's had enough with the neglect in the cemetery.
"It's past time because it's just terrible," she said.
Families with loved ones buried at the cemetery said they plan to hold a meeting at 5:30 p.m. Saturday to strategize for change.
