In 1963, George Assiter (1920-2006) purchased ten acres to develop as a cemetery with individually named gardens (sections A-F). Peaceful Gardens has grown to over 23 acres and nearly 13,000 interments. Since the beginning, the cemetery emphasized a park-like atmosphere, evident in the landscaping of trees, flowers and shrubs. Additionally, the cemetery’s grave markers were all flat, with no upright monuments. The first burials were Patsy Mojica (1933-1963) and her daughter Tammy (1962-1963), who were involved in a tragic car accident. The cemetery has been expanded to the west several times. The chapel, built in 1970, includes an underground mausoleum, one of the first of its kind in the area. The cemetery hosts a number of distinctive features. Section L offers lots that accommodate those who practice Islamic burial rituals. Several artistic decorations are present throughout. In 1967, the cemetery opened a pet cemetery, which is the final resting place of more than 1,700 dogs, cats, birds, snakes and one pony. Burials include veterans of every major U.S. Conflict since World War I. Many grave markers have iconography that denote membership in a fraternal order. The masonic garden is denoted with a granite altar statue, but mason burials appear throughout the cemetery, along with Shriners and eastern star members. Well-known persons buried here include noted restauranteur and music patron, Christopher B. “Stubb” Stubblefield (1931-1995), and professional baseball player, Donnie Moore (1954-1989). (HTC - 2022)