Harnett County Cemetery Board of Directors

In 1938, the Barnes Family generously donated land to establish the Harnett County Cemetery Association, Inc. This agreement remains in effect to this day. The cemetery is managed by a diverse Board of Directors, who oversee its daily operations, including setting and enforcing rules and regulations. The board meets at least once a year to ensure the continued smooth functioning of the cemetery.

The cemetery is not owned by any individual, group, or business and is not affiliated with O’Quinn-Peebles-Phillips Funeral Home and Crematory.

  • Manfred Hardee | Board President

    Manfred graduated from Lillington High School in 1968 and from NC State University in 1972 with a degree in mathematical education. He taught school for 45 years. He is a member of Fuquay Varina Baptist Church where he has served as a deacon and elder. He serves on the Gleneagles Community Board of Directors. He has served on the Harnett Memorial Cemetery Board since 1998.

  • Kay Peebles | Board Secretary & Treasurer

    Kay is a licensed funeral director with over 35 years of experience in both funeral service and cemetery management. A native of Harnett County, she graduated from Lillington High School in 1972 and received her undergraduate degree from East Carolina University in 1976. She completed her studies in Mortuary Science from Fayetteville Technical Community College in 1991. She has served as the Secretary/Treasurer for Harnett County Cemetery since 2009 and is the former owner of O’Quinn Peebles Phillips Funeral Home and Crematory in Lillington.

  • Cecil Peebles

    Cecil is a licensed funeral service professional and experienced in the management of cemeteries. In 1969, he graduated from J.F. Webb High School in Oxford and received 2 undergraduate degrees from East Carolina University in 1973 and 1975. He completed his studies in Mortuary Science from Fayetteville Technical Community College in 1991. He has extensive knowledge and experience with monument design and craftsmanship and has served on the cemetery board since 2009. He is the former owner of O’Quinn Peebles Phillips Funeral Home and Crematory in Lillington.

  • Paul Phillips

    Paul is the owner of O’Quinn Peebles Phillips Funeral Home and Crematory in Lillington. He has over 27 years experience in funeral service. He received his BS degree in Business Administration from Appalachian State University in 1992 and an associate degree in Funeral Service from Fayetteville Technical Community College in 1997. Paul has many years of experience in both funeral service and cemetery management, serving on the cemetery board since 2014.

  • Roy Hobbs Byrd, Jr.

    R. H. graduated from Lillington High School in 1973 and continued his studies at Campbell University, graduating in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in business. He is a lifelong farmer, starting as a 6th generation farmer in the 10th grade with his family farm, Byrd Family Farms, LLC. He serves on the NC Farm Bureau Board of Directors , the Harnett County Farm Bureau Board of Directors and the Board of Directors for the Summerville /Bunnlevel Fire Dept. He is an elder and active member of the Bunnlevel Presbyterian Church. R. H. has served on the Harnett County Cemetery Board since 2014.

  • Frank Lewis, III

    Frankie graduated from Lillington High School in1967 and continued his education at North Carolina State University, earning a bachelor degree in economics in 1972 and in 1987 he received his master's degree in public administration. He worked for the State of North Carolina in various capacities for 33 years. He was a business manager for a law enforcement training academy in North Carolina and also for the Governor’s State Budget Office. He is now retired and works part time at a men's clothing store in Fuquay. Frankie has served on the cemetery board since 2017.

  • Cindy Avrette

    Cindy is a long-standing member of the Lillington community. She received her undergraduate degree from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1984 and her law degree from Campbell University in 1987. She retired as a principal legislative analyst from the NC General Assembly in 2023 after more than 34 years of service. In 2022, Cindy’s father, Marshall Woodall stepped down from his duties on the cemetery board after serving for 34 years; Cindy was elected to replace his position.

  • Rebecca Blair

    Rebecca graduated from Queens University in Charlotte in 1985. Active in her community, she volunteers with the Lillington Chamber, Meals On Wheels and the Rotary Readers. She is the former owner of the retail shop in Lillington, The B Hive, and has served on the board since 2024.

  • William Carl Sherman, Jr.

    Carl graduated from Lillington High School in 1968 and continued his education at Fayetteville Tech Community College. In 1975, he started PHC Restoration and retired from the company in 2016. Carl has served on many boards including MidSouth Bank, Centura Bank and First Bank. He is a member of the Lillington Presbyterian Church and has served as Elder. He is married to Gwen Tart Sherman and they have two children. Jason Sherman and Katie Smith.