What things aren't permitted y to be left at a loved ones grave? It seems as tho everything I leave…read morethere is gone when I return

The oldest cemetery in Bartow is Pioneer Oak Hill. It was not on city property and could not be…read moreenlarged because it was too close to downtown so in 1890 the citizens of Bartow made a deal to pay Thomas Pasco Carpenter $1.500.00 to purchase ten acres of land in order to create a city cemetery. It is believed that part of the land was already being used as an unofficial cemetery. The oldest burial may be that of John W. Towles who died in 1875. Pioneer Oak Hill only has Confederate Civil War dead but Wildwood contains people from both sides of the conflict. In the 1900's the cemetery was expanded to 40 acres. Burial of Black citizens in Wildwood began in 1975 and in 1984 the city redesigned and refurbished the cemetery grounds. This cemetery is most infamous for being the final resting place of Charlie Smith, "America's Oldest Man". According to his gravestone he was 137 years old when he died! Charlie recounted his life story during a 1978 episode of the television series Visions, titled "Charlie Smith and the Fritter Tree," According to Charlie he was born in Liberia in 1842, and at the age of 12 he was kidnapped by someone who convinced him that in America fritters grow on trees. After arriving in the United States he was sold into slavery to a Texas farmer who purchased him and named him Charlie Smith. The farmer treated him like a son and upon his death Charlie took his surname. Further adventures ensued when he joined the Union army, moved out West where he worked as a ranch hand, became a professional gambler, ran with the James Gang when they were chasing Billy the Kid, raised a family and ended up as a circus sideshow attraction. The records that have been discovered pertaining to Charlie Smith make it more likely that he was 105 when he died but don't let the truth get in the way of a good story. You can pay Charlie a visit in row 28 near the wall.

Fort Meade is the oldest town in Polk County and Evergreen is the oldest cemetery. It is owned by…read morethe city of Fort Meade. The town and fort was named after Lt. George Meade, an army lieutenant serving in Florida following the Second Seminole War. Fort Meade was founded in 1849 along a military trail set up between Tampa and Fort Pierce after the start of the Second Seminole War. Founded in 1840, the earliest known burial in the cemetery is that of John I. Hooker (1821-1862). The age of graves range from the pioneers in the 1840's to today. Mr and Mrs. L.B. Brown are also buried here. Mr. Brown started life as a slave and became a successful businessman. His former home has been turned into a museum you can tour. A recent addition is 23 year old Damion Tillman who was killed in July of 2020, along with friends Keven Springfield and Brandon Rollins in a triple homicide that took place during a fishing trip in Frost Proof. The murder dominated the news when it occurred. This is a very picturesque cemetery and peaceful place of final rest with lots of trees dripping in Spanish moss and some very interesting headstones. There is a lot of Polk County history here. This is a great place to do historical research and a little known fact, cemeteries also make a great place to bird watch.

I haven't been able to find out much about Fitzgerald Cemetery, other than it (and the street it's…read moreon) was named after the homesteader who sold the property the land it is located on for $10, a good deal back in the day. From pictures I've seen online, it was taken very good care of 20 years ago, but now it's become quite overgrown and I believe the groundskeepers are having a hard time keeping up. Many graves are overgrown, some completely to the point of being covered by their plants. Some graves are collapsing, a sad result of time. Garbage is found around the edges of the cemetery and from the weather wear, some has been there for quite some time. It's a beautiful place, with a lot of history. I just wish it was taken care of a bit better.

There is peace here for your loved ones. There are abundance of trees for shade, and I quiet. It…read moreis serene.

Shiloh Cemetery in Plant City is tucked away far on the north side of the city, past I-4,…read moresurrounded by a neighborhood, ranch and farmland. It's quiet and peaceful. The cemetery itself is in two sections. When you first pull in, the left side is the oldest side and the right side is the newer one, with plenty of room for internment. (It's on a "L" shaped, one-way dirt road, but there is plenty of room to turn around carefully.) Burials in the original area date back to around 1810 according to the Plant City government's website. I did not see any that old, but there are a few old stones out there. It is well taken care of, and many stones have been cleaned, repaired and even replaced. This is also one of the few cemeteries I have seen with no garbage or litter at all, anywhere. It really is a lovely little cemetery.

Gapway Cemetery is a small, private (not city-owned) cemetery located at 1910 North Crystal Lake…read moreDrive, a very tight, winding road in the suburbs of Lakeland. It's squeezed between a residential neighborhood and a gated mobile home community. Some confusion arises about it's location due to it's sign out front stating the name and ownership. It is owned and maintained by the Gapway Baptist Church, which is located on North Combee, 4 miles north of the cemetery. They do a nice job of maintaining the cemetery. The chain link fence may be a bit rusty, but the grounds are always manicured and I have not seen any signs of littering. There is very little parking available. It is all grass and mostly roadside. Due to it's location on a curve, you must be extremely careful when you park or pull out because people do speed on North Crystal Lake Drive. The only entrance is immediately in the front, there is no entrance on the side or rear of the cemetery, so do not bother to try on the residential or mobile home area - you will be trespassing.

Such a disappointing experience for my family. We ordered a headstone for my dad on 11/28/21! We…read morewere told during the ordering process that it would take a year to receive the headstone due to Covid. The initial process in dealing with Davis Monument was good. They helped me get the order placed. But the communication after the initial order was placed (we paid for 1/2 the cost up front) has been none on their part. We expected the headstone to be completed December 27, 2022. We have not been contacted at all by Davis Monument. I have reached out to them several times since 12/27/21. Only to receive multiple reasons/excuses why the order has not been completed. This has caused a tremendous amount of pain and grief for my family, especially my mother. Saying goodbye to her husband of 52 years and then not getting closure with a proper headstone for his grave site for well over a year! This is not a good way for a company to handle the death of a loved one. The initial reason why we went with Davis Monument is because several people recommended them. I can't say that I would recommend them to anyone. It is now the middle of March 2023 and we are being told that it will take 2 more weeks for the headstone to be completed. This is completely unacceptable. Our next step is to contact the Better Business Bureau. Is hurts to have a company handling such a sensitive and emotional item so carelessly.

At the most difficult time of my life I found Davis Monuments in Lakeland, Fl…read more They were professional yet compassionate. Shortly after meeting with and placing my order Covid-19 happened. Though the job took longer to complete than promised it was totally out of their control. They finished my order as quickly as possible. The finished product is beautiful, just as I wanted. I would recommend Davis Monuments. B.Hodgman

Shae and Bill took very very good care of everything! Shae took me by the hand at every step! Bill…read moreeven reached out afterwards to see how my family was doing! A heartfelt thank you to Shae Bill and the staff!

I had a great experience with setting up my future burial arrangements wit Kirk Maclin. He sent me…read moreall the information to make my decisions for me and my wife for when the time comes. Kirk answered all my questions and took the time to walk me through all the details so I could make the decision on the options I wanted. Prices were good and this took a lot off my mind so my wife and children did not have to deal with this in the future. Definitely would recommend asking for Kirk. Michael

The owners and family of Seigler Funeral home were very supportive, kind, and extremely caring to…read moremy friend Esteban Santos Jr. They were very attentive, knowledgeable and helpful during the shocking death of his father. Thank you, you will forever be in our hearts. God Bless