Skip to content

Our History

Honoring Legacies for Over 70 Years

Our Story Through the Years

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.

Founded by Ralph H. Wilson, Holly Hill introduced a modern concept in 1947—a park-type cemetery supported by a perpetual care fund. With bronze markers, landscaped sections, and long-term planning, it quickly became a respected part of the Thomasville community. The article also highlights the development of the Singing Tower, the first mausoleum, and the move to an on-site office in 1977.

Before Holly Hill Memorial Park opened, this article introduced the cemetery as a visionary project—emphasizing its rolling green hills, carefully planned landscaping, and a layout guided by the needs of grieving families. With eighty-six acres and thoughtful design by landscape architect Ernest G. Frey, it was promoted as both a peaceful resting place and a benefit to the Thomasville community.

This early promotional advertisement for Holly Hills Cemetery highlights its serene landscape of rolling knolls, peaceful greenery, and perpetual care. Designed to offer “peace that passeth all understanding,” the message emphasizes the cemetery as a beautiful, comforting place for remembrance and rest.

In the early 1960s, locals enjoyed visiting Holly Hill Memorial Park Cemetery not just for reflection, but also for a peaceful pastime—feeding the flock of ducks at the cemetery pond. This charming ritual became a beloved part of community life.

Beginning in the late 1970s and continuing into the 1980s, Holly Hill Memorial Park Cemetery introduced a series of thoughtfully designed mausoleums to serve the evolving needs of the community. In 1976, construction began on Davidson County’s very first mausoleum—crafted from polished Carnelian granite and featuring symbolic engravings that honor faith, heritage, and local history. By the mid-1980s, the cemetery had expanded its services with the completion of a 70-unit columbarium, topped with a sculpted guardian angel.

These additions reflect our ongoing commitment to creating a place where remembrance is both personal and enduring—where our landscape not only honors loved ones, but tells the story of a community rooted in care and tradition.

This vintage Christmas greeting from Holly Hill Memorial Park reflects the cemetery’s long-standing values of faith, peace, and love for the community. Featuring the phrase “Glory to God” alongside the biblical message of peace on earth and goodwill toward men, the ad offers seasonal comfort and spiritual inspiration to families during the holidays.

Continuing the Legacy