The future operation of Greenleaf Cemetery is in question, due to financial difficulties.  The cemetery may not be able to operate much longer without financial assistance from the City of Brownwood, according to Steve Harris, President of the Greenleaf Cemetery Association.

It is a not-well-known fact that Greenleaf Cemetery is property of the City of Brownwood.  The story of Greenleaf Cemetery is told on a historical marker in the cemetery:  “Greenleaf Fisk, a pioneer who later would be known as the ‘Father of Brownwood,’ gave the City five acres in 1868 for a public burial ground.  It is now the main city cemetery of Brownwood… Citizens and families of those buried here cared for the cemetery until 1916, when the City wrote its maintenance into the City Charter.”  The historical plaque lists notable persons buried in Greenleaf Cemetery:

Greenleaf Fisk, “Father of Brownwood”

Noah T. Byars, owner of the blacksmith shop where the Declaration of Texas Independence was signed

Weston L. Williams, son-in-law of Sam Houston

Robert Howard, author of Conan the Barbarian

Will E. Mayes, former Lieutenant Governor of Texas, and founder and Dean of the School of Journalism at the University of Texas

The Greenleaf Cemetary Association was originally organized on April 10, 1923 (101 years ago today) to manage the operations of the cemetery.  According to the historical plaque, the Association was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1978.  Ever since the Association has operated the cemetery on a break-even basis.  Currently the City of Brownwood budget provides $11,000 to Greenleaf, as well as a number of in-kind donations.  The most recent donation is a house that was removed from the downtown area, to be used as a new office for Greenleaf.  “We have always been great partners with the City,” said Harris.

But the world changes, and the finances of Greenleaf Cemetary have suffered.  Nationwide, burials have decreased, and are actually outnumbered now by cremations.  This trend exists in Brown County, and has negatively affected revenues.  Burials and plot sales are down about 27%, according to Harris.  In addition, Greenleaf has been shorted payments by two businesses that went bankrupt while owing money to Greenleaf.  And several years ago an employee of Greenleaf was convicted of stealing over $20,000 from the organization.  Restitution was ordered by the court, and some of the stolen funds have been repaid, but the majority is still outstanding.

“Our situation here is not unique,” said Harris.  “This is a very similar financial situation for old, large, historical cemeteries.  Most cemetery associations, old-historic ones like ours, are folding.  Closing shop, turning over their assets and liabilities to the municipality. In this case it would be the City of Brownwood.”  As an example, in 2019 the Hillcrest Cemetery in Temple, Texas was taken over by the City of Temple.

On March 27 the Greenleaf Cemetery Association sent a letter to the City of Brownwood requesting full funding for the operations budget of the cemetery.  The immediate request, for the six months remaining in the current fiscal year, is for $70,000, plus an extra $10,000 for dead tree removal, and $25,000 for a new tractor.  The request for the next budget year would be $140,200.  In addition the Association requested $230,500 for improvements to the new office building, improvements to streets in the cemetery, two John Deere commercial grade mowers and a John Deere track hoe.  The requested amount of funds would be partially offset by anticipated operating revenues of $127,000, leaving a net request of $243,700.

An alternative to the above funding subsidies would be for the Greenleaf Cemetary Association to dissolve, and let the City take over the cemetery as part of the Parks Department.

The request was on the agenda for yesterday’s meeting of the Brownwood City Council.  The Council adjourned to Executive Session to consider this request and one other matter.  After reconvening into public session, Mayor Steven Haynes said no action was taken by the Council.

“We are at the end of our rope, financially ,” said Harris.  If the City is unable to provide any financial help this week, he will call a meeting of the Greenleaf Cemetary Association Board of Directors for Sunday at 3:00 p.m. to discuss options going forward, which could possibly include a curtailment of operations and services offered.  “The majority of people laid to rest in this cemetery were taxpayers.  It is our job as current taxpayers to advocate for the City to give us more funds so that this cemetery is worthy and respectful of those who came before.”