Lumpkin County Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Blackburn Park: the county’s own burial ground, funded by the board and donations

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Lumpkin County is building its own Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Blackburn Park: at the August 5, 2025 work session, Veterans Affairs Committee chairman Stan Kelley presented the proposed cemetery and asked the board to "consider doing the site work, infrastructure, roads, and sidewalks" with the amenities and maintenance funded by a trust and donations - the Lowell and Betty Dunn Foundation gave $10,000 - and Jackson EMC presented a $10,000 donation at the January 6, 2026 meeting; the 2026 agendas carry the cemetery's change orders and road ratification, and the groundbreaking was held October 29, 2026.

Also called: Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Blackburn Park, Veterans Affairs Committee, Stan Kelley, Stanley Kelley, Jackson EMC, Lowell and Betty Dunn Foundation, burial, cemetery, groundbreaking, Dahlonega, Dahlonega.

For: Veteran or service member, survivor.

Where it applies

Written for the jurisdictions listed here.

Lumpkin County, GACounty

The proposal. The board's August 5, 2025 minutes: "Veterans Memorial Cemetery Property & Funding Allocation - Blackburn Park. Stan Kelley, Chairman of the Lumpkin County Veterans Affairs Committee, gave a presentation on the proposed veterans memorial cemetery for Blackburn Park. The Committee is requesting for the Board of Commissioners to consider doing the site work, infrastructure, roads, and sidewalks. The amenities and maintenance will be funded with a trust and donations, and they will raise funds for internment, restrooms, fencing, and monuments. Mr. Kelley said the Lowell and Betty Dunn Foundation has generously donated $10,000." Chairman Dockery opened the floor for public comment, and Mr. Dunn - the donor - spoke "thankful for the veterans who gave it all and the veterans who were willing to give it all". The donations and the build. The board's January 6, 2026 minutes: "Jackson EMC Veterans Cemetery Donation. David Lee and Lee Chapman, representatives from Jackson EMC, presented a $10,000 donation to the Lumpkin County Veterans Memorial Cemetery." The 2026 agendas carry the build through the year: "2026-089 Banking Services Contract", "2026-090 Veterans Cemetery Change Order - Curb & Gutter (Special Projects Manager Charles Trammell)", the "Veterans Cemetery Donation Recognition" presentations at the October 6 and October 20, 2026 meetings, and the "Road - Lumpkin County Veterans Cemetery Ratify" items; the groundbreaking was held Thursday, October 29, 2026. The committee behind it. The county's own Veterans Affairs Committee - 99 Courthouse Hill, Suite H, Dahlonega, at (770) 531-6060, the Gainesville GDVS line - appoints its members by board appointment items: 2025-13 Stanley Kelley to Seat 1 (term to 04/14/2029), 2025-23 Wyatt Phillips to Seat 8, 2026-17 Wyatt Phillips reappointed to Seat 8 (term to 04/14/2030), and Kevin Connell to Seat 9 (term to 04/14/2027). The county also keeps the Lumpkin County Veterans Park at 99 Courthouse Hill, where the committee's Memorial Day ceremony is held, and American Legion Post 239 maintains its post marker on Legion Road.

Thresholds

Thresholds for Lumpkin County Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Blackburn Park: the county’s own burial ground, funded by the board and donations
Gate	Rule
Any honorably discharged veteran or eligible dependent, at need	The cemetery is a county burial ground for veterans and their eligible family members; the board funds the site work and a trust funds the amenities. No rating is needed.

Sources

Updated

Last updated 2026-11-03.

What changed then:

First published.

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Disclaimer

VetTOC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Information is for reference only and is not an eligibility determination. Verify with VA, the relevant state or territory, or an accredited VSO.