Our History
Simply the best, due to its serene peaceful like setting and subdued
road noise. Mobility through the park has been made safe and convenient
with it's level graded land. Compared to steeply graded cemeteries,
such as cemeteries on a hill where noise tends to amplify and ability
to traverse the grounds becomes increasingly difficult. We at Polk
Memorial understand the importance of being able to visit a loved one,
even when age or mobility becomes more difficult. This is why our the
level and uniform grounds are so important.
Originally founded by Ed Phillips and associates in 1953 and named after our 11th President of the United States. It boasts the only full size granite sculpture of James K. Polk. Polk Memorial Gardens was purchased by Alan Blevins and family in 1984. Alan continues the growth and development of the park like settings to this day. Such as the building of side walks, planting trees, and additional garden options. He also planned and designed all major enhancement to the cemetery such: as the chapel mausoleum, the praying hands garden mausoleum, and most recently the Arbors at Polk Memorial.
Adjacent to St. John's Church the rich history of this hallowed land makes Polk Memorial a special location for honoring and remembering those who have gone on before us.
In addition to our special location Polk Memorial boasts a perpetual care status. Perpetual care cemeteries give a true piece of mind to our families. It ensures the viability and maintenance of the park like settings on our grounds generation after generation. This along with with strict policies ensure the serene peaceful settings are continuous for families to reflect on time past with families and loved ones.
Naturally cultivated land with less than 25 acres developed. Future space options as in any cemetery are limited.
To date Polk Memorial has laid to rest over 9,000 loved ones. In addition to those loved ones Polk Memorial continues to serve those families and care for the grounds entrusted with their loved ones. Polk is the largest well maintained private cemetery in Maury county.
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Michelle Haslock, General Manager
Michelle Haslock was born and raised in northern Indiana (Mishawaka), lived in central Indiana (Fishers and Westfield) from 1996 to 2018, and moved to Columbia, Tennessee on August 1, 2018. Michelle is very proud to be the first American born to and the first American citizen in her family.
Michelle attended college at Davenport University in northern Indiana for Travel and Tourism Administration and Sales and Marketing. Her career background has been in management since 1993 predominately in hospitality, human resources, and the death care industry. She loves being involved in her community, enjoys doing volunteer work, and has served as a Sunday school teacher, PTO vice president, and a member or many organizations including the Optimist Club and Chamber of Commerce. Michelle is certified as a grief support group facilitator, and, for personal growth, is currently enrolled in a program to become a certified catalyst/life coach.
Michelle has two sons; Dylan, who is 27-years-old, and Gabriel, who would be 22-years-old, but died as a result of a hard-fought battle with leukemia when he was 8-years-old. After Gabe’s death, Michelle chose to start her career assisting others who have to say good bye to their loved ones, &/or are grieving after a loss, aspiring to assist the families she serves in a way that makes a painful time just a little easier. She has found that working in the death care industry can serve as a simple reminder to appreciate that she is alive and each moment she is blessed to spend with her loved ones.
Michelle is a family service counselor and would be honored to answer your questions and/or share the benefits and preplanning the unique and personal details of your final arrangements. -
Samuel Jacobs, Superintendant
Samuel "Jake" Jacobs was born and raised in Midway Tn, where he lived until enlisted in the Marine Corps in February 1993. He returned home in March 2013 after serving his Country and shortly after met his wife, Renee. They were married in November 2015. He has a stepdaughter Cassidi, who is a student at UT Martin studying wildlife management. Jake began working here at Polk Memorial Gardens in July 2017. He currently lives on his farm in Pulaski with all his various pets and animals
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Kari Mackowski, Office Administrator
Since becoming a military wife in 1998, Kari Mackowski has lived all over the US. Kari and her family settled in Middle Tennessee in 2013 and have lived in Hohenwald for the last seven years.
She enjoys spending time with her husband, the three kids she has left at home, and her abundance of animals. Kari has two sons serving; one in the Marine Corps and one in the Army, and another that will be joining the Navy after high school. Before she came to Polk Memorial Gardens, she was a family law paralegal.
Kari enjoys helping others in their time of need and learning new things. -
Grace Officer, Office Administrator
Grace Officer was born and raised here in Columbia, TN, and has now moved to Pulaski with her husband. Grace married her husband, JC Officer, on August 17th,2019.
She was raised in the cattle industry and has now married into a family that is also in the cattle business, so she gets to continue to be around what she loves the most every day. When Grace isn’t at work serving her family, he loves to be supporting her husband at ranch rodeos or on the road with him hauling cattle. Grace doesn’t have any children yet, but she does have 2 dogs named Bella and Oats and a calf who thinks he’s a dog named Landers.
Grace loves her job and loves being able to help families with whatever they need in their greatest time of need. -
Samuel "Sam" Keasler, Groundskeeper
Sam Keasler was originally born in Athens, Tennessee and has resided in the Middle Tennessee area for the past twenty years.
He and his wife Andrea have lived here in Columbia, Tennessee for the past ten years. He enjoys spending time with their family of three dogs and two cats. Before he became a Groundsman for Polk Memorial Gardens, he was a Maintenance and Operations Manager for a professional sports team and has several certifications in rigging and machinery operation.
Sam has always taken great pride in every job he does and enjoys helping others in their time of need with the talents he has obtained along the way.
