Vandals damage cemetery in Vanceboro

VANCEBORO — Joyce Toler works long and hard to keep the non-profit Celestial Memorial Gardens cemetery in top shape but vandals are striking the cemetery with counterproductive results.

Monday when Toler arrived at the non-profit cemetery, she saw that vandals had destroyed flowers, pots, vases and signs. “It upsets me so much,” she said.

The cemetery opened in the late 1960’s and through the years, the cemetery became non-profit with a board of directors overseeing the operation.

She said between 600 and 700 people are buried in the area where U.S. 17 and N.C. 43 is along side the cemetery.

This was not the first time vandals have struck. Toler said three weeks ago she found damage in the cemetery. She said she called the sheriff’s office and deputies came and took a report.

Not only are flowers and vases damaged, she said the headstone of Eddie and Glennie Kite was knocked over. A dozen “Keep Off the Grass” signs were destroyed. She said the signs cost $35 each.

Toler is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of the vandals. She is also taking donations from the public to purchase replacement signs.

Anyone with information may call Toler at 252-244-0027.

Francine Sawyer can be reached at 252-635-5671 or at fsawyer@freedomenc.com.