Craighead Electric purchased land adjacent to its headquarters that includes a pet cemetery on January 3, 2024.
The Thelma Holford Pet Cemetery, located at 4500 Stadium Road, was part of a 5.2-acre site purchased by the company. The news sparked outrage among people who had buried their pets.
The Facebook group Friends of Thelma Holford Pet Cemetery will host a meeting on Saturday, January 27th with Craighead Electric official and representative Jason Gazaway to share their thoughts and concerns. I announced.
Gazaway said people who have pets buried on their property can retrieve headstones and memorials. Spring pick-up dates are set for March 15th, April 15th, and May 15th, but if a different day is required, it will be accommodated.
The group was unable to make a final decision on what to do. Gazaway said a memorial garden is a possibility if it's something everyone can agree on.
Some people wanted the property to remain as it was, while others wanted to take home pets that had been dug up from the property.
“We were told there was nothing to excavate,” Gazaway said. “The passing of time is a natural process, and nothing is ever found.”
Gazaway said he recognizes this is a tough situation for everyone.
Some people just want their money back from the conspiracy. They include William and Carla Holt, who said they purchased 15 properties and buried six animals. They said they spent $90 per plot and even more money on headstones.
Leon Lacha, another critic who spoke, said he felt the decision was one of “pure greed.”
“Why should Craighead Electric have to disturb that property? I don't want to see these people digging up animals. I feel disgusted in my core to even have this conversation. ,” Leon Lachat said during the meeting.
Gazaway said land connected to the company's headquarters is most convenient for the company. He said this also gives the company access to roads with traffic lights, which is essential for transport equipment to have a protected right hand off site. Gazaway said it's safe for employees and Jonesboro pedestrians.
“I'm sorry everyone, but I'm angry,” a tearful Susan Jones said at the meeting. “I want to respect my babies,” she said, spending $500 per plot for her two “fur babies.”
“This is desecration of a grave,” Jones said. “I didn't want to mix my baby with concrete. I just couldn't live with myself.”
Gazaway expects the group to reach a “reasonable” conclusion by June 1.
“We want to do something meaningful. We could do some sort of commemorative event,” Gazaway said at the meeting.
“We don't need a memorial garden to remind us that our pets were buried under a memorial garden,” Rasha responded. “please do not worry.”
Several community members said they plan to take the fight to the City of Jonesboro at the next City Council meeting on Tuesday, February 6th.
