Monroe council approves relocation of Billy Woods Cemetery to Suncrest Cemetery

Monroe City Council on June 10 approved relocating graves from the Billy Woods Cemetery on city-owned property on North Sutherland Avenue to Suncrest Cemetery, citing state statutory procedures and a desire for perpetual care.

The decision, presented by Assistant City Manager Jeff Wells and consultant Ellen Turco of Richard Grubb & Associates, responds to two goals staff described: accommodate future economic development on the 74-acre site and move remains to a cemetery with perpetual care. Wells said the property, acquired by the city in 2018, had been identified as a North Carolina Select Site in 2024 and contains an estimated 50 graves with recorded burials dating from 1842 to 1935.

The city said it followed the statutory process required by North Carolina General Statute 65-10-6: Richard Grubb & Associates performed historical research, identified 170 potential descendants who received notice of intent, and placed legal advertisement in the local newspaper for four successive weeks. Wells told council the contractor will provide an on-site archaeologist, equipment operator, licensed funeral director, coordination with the health department, and preparation of forms and relocation certificates for the register of deeds.

Descendants who spoke at the public hearing expressed concern about preserving and reusing legible headstones and requested clergy be allowed to participate during disinterment and reinterment. Ellen Turco said the state process commonly places damaged markers “in the box with the remains” and requires a group marker and a relocation certificate to be filed at the register of deeds to preserve genealogical records.

City staff and several relatives also described the site as heavily overgrown before recent clearance by city crews to allow archaeological survey. The city will coordinate with relatives concerning markers and graves when practicable; one staff member said the council could seek legal guidance if a descendant requests reinterment at a different cemetery rather than Suncrest.

There was no detailed timeline for physical disinterment and reinterment in the materials or statements presented at the meeting.

The council member moving the motion did not state a roll-call tally on the record; the motion to approve relocation under North Carolina General Statute 65-10-6 passed by voice/hand vote.

The council also recorded that 15 responses have been received so far from the 170 notified descendants.