(NASHVILLE) — State Representative Bill Dunn (R-Knoxville) has partnered with a Knoxville area nonprofit to secure a $100,000 Community Cemetery grant for Fort Sumter Community Cemetery. The funding will be used to assist with operational and maintenance costs at the cemetery.
Originally known as Halls Memorial Gardens, Inc. the property has been operated by nonprofit Fort Sumter Community Cemetery Corp. since 2009 after its previous owners raided accounts used to cover property expenses and also oversold burial plots.
Chairman Dunn has worked tirelessly with members of the Department of Commerce & Insurance, as well as Bobbie Woodall who helped establish the Fort Sumter Community Cemetery Corp. in recent years to ensure that the grounds have the necessary funding and that those who are buried there are treated with respect.
“We are grateful to Representative Dunn for his advocacy and his leadership in helping our cemetery obtain this important funding,” said Woodall. “He has been a tremendous partner throughout this extremely difficult process, and we appreciate his support and all that he has done to help our loved ones finally rest peacefully.”
“I am pleased that our local cemetery is receiving this essential funding, and I know it will help better maintain this property and the graves of those who are buried there,” said Chairman Dunn. “I am grateful to Bobbie Woodall and her colleagues for their work as caring guardians of this plot for almost a decade. Their efforts have guaranteed that the cemetery is properly preserved and that our deceased are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.”
Bill Dunn serves as Chairman of the House Calendar & Rules Committee. He is also a member of the House Transportation and House Education Instructions & Programs Committees, as well as the House Education Instruction & Program Subcommittee. Dunn lives in Knoxville and represents House District 16 which includes part of Knox County. He can be reached by email at: Rep.Bill.Dunn@capitol.tn.gov or by calling (615) 741-1721.