Humphrey Funeral Service Developing $1.3M Cemetery

The Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce and members of the Humphrey family, friends and funeral home staff cut a ribbon July 10 to mark the grand opening of Center Valley Memorial Gardens.

Humphrey Funeral Service Inc. of Russellville announced Monday a new $1.3 million perpetual care cemetery, which when finished will mark the completion of its seven-year expansion.

Center Valley Memorial Gardens is on Center Valley Road, adjacent to Center Valley Elementary School and 5 miles northeast of Russellville in Pope County. 

Humphrey said in a news release that it’s the first cemetery of its kind to be developed in more than 50 years. It sits on 35 acres of land that’s been in the Humphrey family for more than 100 years.

More than 4 acres of burial space is being offered in the first phase of the three-phase development, with three options of lot and monument configurations, in addition to a veterans section called “The Field of Honor.” That section will contain spaces for veterans and their spouses that emulate the look of Washington’s Arlington Cemetery, the company said.

Other features include an underground sprinkling system, concrete walkways, asphalt-paved roadways and on-site staff.

Jim Bob Humphrey, CEO of Humphrey Funeral Service, said in the release that hundreds of cemeteries in Pope County are dilapidated due to lack of caretakers or funds to maintain them. He said “younger generations are failing to show interest in maintaining the resting places of their ancestors.” He said the company set out to ensure that Center Valley Memorial Gardens would be “elaborately maintained through wisely-invested perpetual care funding management.”

Other plans for the project include the addition of columbarium units for the interment of cremains; landscaping with maple and oak trees, flowers and shrubbery; a cemetery committal chapel; and a walking trail along the cemetery’s large pond and flowing tributary of nearby Baker’s Creek.

In addition, another piece of the expansion has been completed: the Herman Humphrey Dignity Cremation Center at the West Main location of Humphrey Funeral Home & Chapel in Russellville. A small chapel has been added to the cremation center.

Other renovations to the funeral home facility will include an enlarged family room and the Kate Humphrey Dining Room.