Perpetual Care Cemetery
www.southernpalmsmemorialgardens.com
For over 50 years Southern Palms has been committed to serving the living while caring for the dead. This tradition started when Leamon Todd purchased a parcel of land from the Vereen family in 1960 and started Southeastern Memorial Gardens. Richard Leonard continues the tradition today with a new name and a new approach to the cemetery profession.
Southern Palms proudly serves families from all cultures, all religions, and all walks of life. The history of North Myrtle Beach and the coastal area rests within our gardens. Many of our town's founders are buried here. Every individual within our cemetery was special to someone and some family. They are now a special part of our family at Southern Palms Memorial Gardens.
Attending visitations, leading in each funeral, offering bottled water on hot days, making courtesy memorials available and donating free burial spaces and services for infants are just a few of the ways we show how much we care. As long as people continue to create legacies, we will be here to honor them.
NOTABLE PERSONS AT SPMG
Interesting people at SPMG
Edith Mae Baldwin, “Mae”, writer for North Myrtle Beach and also author of book ‘Crossroads’ rests at the Shrine of the Good Shepherd.
Katharine Weiler, original founder & developer of the Village of the Barefoot Traders, a shopping center that preceded Barefoot Landing. The Villages opened in 1971 and was once featured in Southern Living. Katharine rests at the Garden of the Cross, 25, A2.
Douglas Shaw, Head Football Coach at Myrtle Beach High School for 25 years, recipient of the following recognitions: Myrtle Beach Jaycees Man of the Year 1983, Grand Strand Sertoma Service to Mankind 1983, Myrtle Beach Rotary, Community Service 1984. Football stadium was named in his honor. Doug rests at Briarcliff 4, 20, A1.
Ruben Long, is located at Mirror Lake 1, Lot 25, B1.
Susan Ladd, popular local Professional Children’s Entertainer that performed under the name “Bubbles”.
Merlin L. Bellamy, First Chief of Police of North Myrtle Beach. Helped establish CanAm Days and Harley Bike Rally. Awarded Police Chief of the Century. Founding member of North Myrtle Beach Rescue Squad and Citizen of the Year. Merlin is located at Memorial 4, 28, A1.
Denise Hare, husband Roger Hare, killed her on New Year’s Day 1994. He shot her in the bedroom. He said he was cleaning his gun at 12:16AM on Jan. 2nd and she was asleep on the bed and the bullet hit her. He admitted that he had had about five screwdrivers (vodka and orange juice) during the evening. Their 11 year old son was at home with a friend when the “accident” occurred. Their 16 year old son was away. The 11 year old said the father had threatened to hurt her before. (After Mr. Hare got out of prison, he had a car wreck and died. He was entombed 10/24/07.) Denise rests at the Shrine of the Good Shepherd.
Jay Hickman, comedian for gentlemen’s club The Doll House, died at 37 of liver failure. He worked with Gleason, Tom Jones, Liza Minelli, Tanya Tucker, Aretha Franklin, Mel Torme, Anita Baker, Lee Greenwood & George Jones. He was known as “The Duke of Dirt”. He appeared on HBO, SHOWTIME and cleaned up his comedy act and songs to go on ‘Hee Haw’ also. Buried at Memorial 1, 41, B2.
Stanley Horonzy (Jan Stanley) singer/entertainer at Horst Gasthaus. He played thee organ and accordion. He entertained for 33 years along the Grand Strand. Buried at Garden of the Cross, 29, A1.
Wilson “Sonny” B. Owen was a decorated military hero that served in Operation Just Cause in Panama. http://www.thepanamareport.com/culture/republic-of-panama/operation-just-cause.html Sonny was shot down on Dec. 20, 1989. During Sonny’s military tenure he received the Silver Star, Air Medal, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award and the Armed Forced Expeditionary Medal (1 OLC). Buried at Memorial 4, 037, B1.
CB Berry was a navy veteran, writer and wrote ‘Blue Book’ a 50 years of interviews, wrote for Sun News on historical events, Last mayor of Crescent Beach before became part of North Myrtle Beach, owned a lumber mill for 12 years, opened his Professional Land Surveyor business and set up the old part of Southern Palms Memorial Gardens, 1988 received OUTSTANDING CONSERVATION AWARD from Daughters of the American Revolution, received RICHARDSON MEMORIAL AWARD for exceptional service for acquiring numerous items for the Horry County Historic Preservation Commission, founder of Horry County Historical Society, 1998 Waccamaw Award for Coastal Carolina for conservation. 60 years in service to the many branches in Myrtle Beach. Buried at Memorial 3, 15, A1.
Ransome J. Williams Mirror Lake 2, 068, A1 was governor of South Carolina from 1945 – 1947
Jewel Evans, had a career as a top model.. After high school, she attended business college and during this time met the famous artist, Rolf Armstrong, who was known as the father of the calendar girls. WWII had begun and Rolf was looking for a model with a girl next door look that every GI dreamed of coming home to. Jewel had that look and she became a calendar girl. Jewel’s calendars were so successful that they were copied on WWII bombers as nose art. Rolf did over 50 calendars with Jewel. She was probably the number one pin-up girl of all times. Jewel rests at Mirror Lake 2, 66, B1.
“Jack” Frost, noted author - “Experiencing the Fathers Embrace” “Spiritual Slavery to Spiritual Sonship”, ordained minister, founder of Shiloh Place Ministries, evangelist and accomplished sea caption (known as “Top Hook” in the Southeast, rests in the Chapel of Remembrance.
Lucy Coleman was the inspiration for Jimmy Durante’s sign-off during the 1940’s. Jimmy Durante ended his radio television shows with the usual ‘Good Night Mrs. Calabash. In 1940, Lucy was 28 years old and running a restaurant in Calabash, then a tiny seaside community bordering South Carolina. Durante and his touring entertainment group were going through and stopped for supper. Jimmy Durante told her he was going to make her famous. But she refused all the way up to her death to be interviewed. Clarice Holden her daughter witnessed the encounter. Even Jimmy could not get her to interview. Lucy rests at Memorial 4, Lot, A2.
Joe J. Shotkus, a champion dancer, holding the world record for marathon dancing with his sister, Mary Rock In the 1930 dancing marathon became popular and were held all over the country doing the Charleston, Black Bottom Rag & the Varsity. In 1933 they danced for 5,295 hours in Madison Square Garden, which got them a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records. Joe was a bartender and entertainer at the Bowery for more than 40 years. Memorial at Catholic 1,005, B1 with his wife Jennie.
Dorothy McLeod, a petite woman, she worked in her youth as a stunt rider in silent motion pictures western. She attended New York Art League and worked as a fashion designer & commercial artist. She and her husband established McLeod Realty Co. in Myrtle Beach. Dorothy rests at the Shrine of the Good Shepherd.
Theodore “Ted” Cannady, NASCAR driver in 1950’s. Ted rests at the Chapel of Remembrance.
PROFESSIONAL GOLFERS:
Charles ‘Pete’ Goodman Jr. is resting in Memorial 4, 099, B1. Professional Golfer and member of the Professional Golfer’s Association.
Stan Mosel rests in Briarcliffe 4, ,024,A1. Professional Golfer in 1950’s and 1960’s. He qualified for 8 US OPENS and 4 PGA Championships. He held many awards in many other opens. He was twice awarded the ‘PGA Professional of the Year’. In 2000, Stan was inducted into the PGA Hall of Fame.
Albert M. Briggs, he was a professional golfer. Not much on when need to find more information on him; but according to obituary retired Golf Professional and life member of the Professional Golfer’s Association. He rests in Memorial 4,007, B1.
Frances D. Steere, LPGA Master Golf Professional. She was the 1st woman in the Carolinas to open and operate a new facility when she was selected to be the head professional at Eagle’s Nest Golf Club in 1970’s. Also she was head professional at Azalea Sands Golf Club in the 1979. Praying Hands Columbarium, South, C-16
***Carolyn C. Cudone, one of the greatest female Amateur champions in the history of the US Golf Association and founder of the Myrtle Beach Junior Golf Program. Her streak of five consecutive US Women’s Senior Amateur Championships from 1968-72 is the longest stretch of consecutive wins in any USGA championship. She also won seven SC Women’s Amateur titles, dozens of New Jersey state & New York area amateur titles, and played on one US Curtis Cup team and captained another. LPGA Tour member Kristy McPherson of Conway credits Cudone’s program for her success and pro career. She is at rest SGS, N. Chapel, J181 and 182.
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