Our History
At Holly Hill Memorial Park Cemetery, we’ve been working to help people plan a dignified rest for over 70 years. Your loved ones deserve honor, respect, and compassion – a way to establish the permanence of their memories in the form of a physical monument. Here, you will receive the highest level of care.
We were founded in 1947 by Ralph H. Wilson. The city manager of the time, Robert M. Cooksey, had begun to realize several difficulties involved with running a cemetery as a public utility. He and the city council approved a plan to sell the existing city cemetery to Wilson, who would realize a new concept: the city cemetery as a public park, to be cared for and maintained via a perpetual trust fund. With flat bronze memorials, sidewalks, and landscaping, the cemetery was re-envisioned as a place that would beautify the community while honoring those who had passed away.
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Eric Anderson Cemetery Director
Eric Anderson, a native of North Carolina, became the director of Holly Hill Memorial Park in 2017. He has 15 years of experience helping families during their time of loss. Eric started his career in Wilmington, NC, where he directed two large cemeteries and a funeral home in the corporate sector. He quickly advanced in his career. However, having two young children named Eric Jr and Mayci Grace, Eric realized that his priorities were leading him towards finding a family-owned establishment that would allow him to be present and dedicated as a father and husband.This realization motivated Eric to search for new opportunities, which eventually led him to middle Tennessee. There, he took on the role of director for three cemeteries and two funeral homes. Additionally, he worked as a family service counselor at the largest cemetery and held a license as a pre-need funeral counselor. Nonetheless, Eric longed for his home state of North Carolina and his family in Wilmington. Being an enthusiastic surfer, middle Tennessee was too far inland for his preference.In 2017, a friend informed Eric about a family-owned memorial park in North Carolina that needed a new director. Eric discovered that Holly Hill Memorial Park was still owned by the same family who established it 72 years ago. They sought someone with a passion for service, a proven record of success, and a commitment to family values and integrity. It was a perfect fit for Eric. He began his journey at Holly Hill Memorial Park in September 2017, alongside his wife Megan. Together, they have been devoted to better serving the people of Thomasville and the surrounding communities. Eric and Megan are youth leaders for the 11th-grade class at Richfork church in Thomasville.Eric's main focus at Holly Hill is to meet the changing needs of local families. He aims to accomplish this by introducing new initiatives, such as the area's first prestige cremation garden. Additionally, he has expanded the range of services offered at Holly Hill, which now includes celebrant services, cremation jewelry and accessories, and private niche houses and estates. Notably, Eric has also ensured that Holly Hill provides a free burial space for any honorably discharged veteran, as a gesture of gratitude for their service to the country.Outside of his responsibilities at Holly Hill, Eric is actively involved in the industry. He currently serves on the board of the Southern Cemetery, Cremation, and Funeral Association, and previously held the position of President at the North Carolina Cemetery Association. Looking ahead, Eric plans to organize more family events at the park, to honor and remember the lives of those who have passed away. He is determined to continue the legacy of Holly Hill Memorial Park as a secure, beautiful, and dignified final resting place for all.
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Megan Anderson General Manager
Megan Anderson is originally from Beaufort, South Carolina, and she met her husband Eric shortly after moving to Wilmington, NC, in 2004. They got married in 2007, and in 2008, Megan became a homemaker after their first child, Eric Jr., was born. Their daughter, Mayci Grace, was born in 2009. In the same year, Eric Sr. started working with families during difficult times as the director of two cemeteries and a funeral home in Wilmington, NC.It wasn't until Megan's father unexpectedly passed away in 2014 that she decided to join Eric in helping families in need. Megan realized the importance of integrity and empathy during such difficult times, and since then, she has been dedicated to providing these qualities. Megan has worked as a family service counselor in TN and currently holds the position of General Manager at Holly Hill Memorial Park. She is also Thomasville's first Certified Celebrant, offering personalized celebration of life services. Megan actively participates in her community as a Lion and serves on the board of the North Carolina Cemetery Association. She has also served as a past board member of the Fairgrove Family Resource Center. Both Megan and Eric serve as 11th-grade youth leaders at Richfork Church in Thomasville. Megan is deeply passionate about improving her community and assisting those in need. Her top priorities are her relationship with Christ, followed by her family, and giving her best effort in everything she does.
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Angela D. McPhatter Family Service Counselor
Angela McPhatter has served at Holly Hill for over 20 years. She is from Thomasville and attended East Davidson. Angela is deeply attached to her community and its residents. Her family, especially her son and granddaughter, are her greatest treasures. Angela strongly supports Davidson County Hospice because they provided invaluable support to her family when her mother passed away in 2014. Every year, in July, she joins her dad, Lee McPhatter, for the Hospice ride to honor her mother Carolyn Sue. Interestingly, it was during her time by her mother's side that Angela began her journey with the Holly Hill family. Initially, they would regularly clean the office, but her exceptional personality caught the attention of management, who asked her to join as an office administrator. This marked the beginning of Angela's ultimate plan. Her genuine concern for families and unwavering commitment to doing what is right set her on the path to becoming a Family Service Counselor, a role she has held for over two decades. Angela has served countless families in Thomasville and the surrounding communities throughout her career. If you were to inquire about their experiences, they would describe a woman of integrity, empathy, and care, someone who goes above and beyond to support people during their time of grief. Many speak of their everlasting gratitude for being served by such a kind-hearted individual. To quote Angela herself, "The most rewarding feeling is when people I've assisted make me feel like I'm part of their family and acknowledge the good work I've done."
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Rev. Paul Sprouse Family Service Counselor
Paul started his job as a Family Service Counselor in September of 2022. Before this, he had worked in the field of education for over 15 years, teaching various musical instruments like strings, woodwinds, brass, and piano. Apart from his counseling role, Paul is also the pastor of a church called Heaven Bound Baptist Church, situated in South Davidson County. He and his wife, Becky, have been happily married for 16 years, and together they have three children named Aleana, Andrew, and Aaron.Paul's primary objective at Holly Hill Memorial Park is to provide support to families during challenging times and help them make preparations for the future.
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Princess Holly Of The Hill Grief support
Hey there! We've got some exciting news to share with you. Meet the newest member of our Holly Hill Family! Her name is Holly, and she's a French bulldog. We're training Holly to be a Grief support dog who brings comfort to our families. Isn't that amazing?Holly will be in the office from Monday to Friday until 4pm. Trust us, she's super friendly and loves meeting new people like you. She'll be more than happy to shower you with cuddles. Her calm and loving demeanor has won the hearts of everyone she has interacted with. We consider her to be one of our VIP employees!Feel free to drop by the office anytime to say hi to Holly. You never know what new trick she might be learning. She's always up to something fun! We can't wait for you to meet her and experience the joy she brings.
