Lincoln Memorial Cemetery & Center Hill Neighborhood Association Draw Hundreds for a Spooktacular Westside “Trunk or Treat”
ATLANTA, GA — October 20, 2025 — Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, in partnership with the Center Hill Neighborhood Association (CHNA), hosted the Westside Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 18, 2025, drawing more than 300 local residents for an evening of candy, costumes, and community. The free, family-friendly event was hailed as a massive success, bringing together neighbors of all ages for Halloween fun in one of Atlanta’s most historic and cherished spaces.
The cemetery’s grounds were transformed into a vibrant celebration of neighborhood spirit, with decorated trunks, festive games, bounce houses, music, and costumes that kept children and parents smiling throughout the evening.
“This event was everything we envisioned when we set out to reestablish Lincoln as a space for the community,” said Shayda Frost, Owner of Lincoln Memorial Cemetery. “For generations, Lincoln has stood at the heart of the Westside. Our mission is to make sure it remains a place that’s open to all — where families come together to celebrate, connect, and honor their loved ones. We want to be the very best in the community at honoring the community.”
Crystal Gonzales, who leads community events at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, said: “It’s such an exciting time for Lincoln Cemetery! We’re bringing fresh energy and purpose to these historic grounds — turning them into a true gathering place for the community once again. The Westside Trunk or Treat is just the beginning of many wonderful events that will celebrate the people, culture, and legacy of Atlanta’s Westside.”
Millie D. Laurent, Vice Chair of the Center Hill Neighborhood Association (CHNA), added: “The turnout and energy were incredible — you could feel the community coming together. This partnership with Lincoln Cemetery is proof of what’s possible when neighbors and local organizations work together.”
About Lincoln Memorial Group
Lincoln Memorial Group (LMG) is one of Georgia’s largest family-owned cemetery companies, operating four historic properties with more than 230 acres combined. LMG serves over 1,000 families annually and is committed to preserving history while redefining modern end-of-life care. Its portfolio includes Lincoln Cemetery, Monte Vista Biblical Gardens, Dawn Memorial Park, and Washington Memorial Gardens — each dedicated to honoring the community it serves. Learn more at lincolnmemorialgroup.com.
Lincoln Memorial Group Welcomes Crystal Gonzales as
Director of Cemetery Sales
- Crystal joins from Service Corporation International (SCI), where she was one of the top-performing funeral sales managers in New York
- Her appointment underscores Lincoln’s commitment to elevating its business and investing in top-tier talent to better serve families and the community
- Crystal is already making an impact in Atlanta, hosting community events from senior workshops to family festivals, with upcoming Veterans Day and Christmas programming
Atlanta, GA – Lincoln Memorial Group, one of the largest family-owned cemetery companies in Georgia, is proud to announce the appointment of Crystal Gonzales as the Company’s new Director of Cemetery Sales and Funeral Lead. This newly created role marks another bold step in Lincoln Memorial Group’s ambitious strategy of building a best-in-class team to serve families across Atlanta.
With more than 11 years in the Death Care Industry, Crystal joins Lincoln from Service Corporation International (SCI), North America’s largest death care company, where she spent nearly seven years, several in leadership positions. Most recently, she served as Sales Manager for Dignity Memorial’s New York East Market, one of the company’s top-performing funeral markets. Prior to that, she excelled as a Family Service Counselor, helping families make important end-of-life decisions with compassion and professionalism.
“When presented with the opportunity, I recognized the immense potential to create something bold and innovative—something capable of transforming the trajectory of the death care industry,” said Crystal Gonzales.
“Our vision when we took over Lincoln was to elevate our business, tapping into the very best talent so we can unlock growth,” said Shayda Frost and Timothy Amoui, Owners of Lincoln Memorial Group. “With Crystal, we have a true standout — a seasoned, results-driven cemetery and funeral leader with an exceptional record of serving families with the utmost compassion. She is deeply engaged locally, will reestablish Lincoln’s presence within the communities we serve, and embodies our values and mission to be the leading organization devoted to honoring those we serve.”
Crystal has already made a strong impact in the community since joining Lincoln. She has hosted “Lunch and Learns” for seniors, led IT training sessions, organized the “Trunk or Treat” Fall Festival at Lincoln Cemetery, and is planning meaningful programming for upcoming events including Veterans Day and the annual Christmas Tree Lighting.
“We are incredibly fortunate for Crystal to join this growing team,” said Raymond Burr, COO of Lincoln Memorial Group. “She is a well-rounded cemetery and funeral professional who brings positivity, hard work, and professionalism every day. Her community ethos and experience will be such an asset as we build the team to deliver on our bold aspirations for Lincoln’s future.”
About Lincoln Memorial Group
Lincoln Memorial Group (LMG) is one of the largest family-owned cemetery companies in Georgia. LMG operates four historic cemeteries with over 230 acres of land combined, serving more than 1,000 families annually. The portfolio includes Lincoln Cemetery, Monte Vista Biblical Gardens, Dawn Memorial Park, and Washington Memorial Gardens — together preserving history while innovating end-of-life care for the future. Lincoln Cemetery, the largest cemetery in the LMG portfolio, is one of the largest historically Black cemeteries in the United States and the final resting place for many notable Atlanta citizens, including civil rights leaders Hosea Williams and Rev. Ralph David Abernathy.
Lincoln Cemetery Kicks Off the Holiday Season with First Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
Lincoln Memorial Group (LMG) proudly hosted its inaugural Christmas Tree Lighting at Lincoln Cemetery yesterday, bringing together over 50 members of the community to honor loved ones, celebrate the season, and witness the unveiling of the cemetery’s newly renovated chapel.
Families gathered to enjoy an evening of festive cheer, indulging in Christmas sweet treats and marveling at the beautifully restored chapel, which served as the perfect setting for the occasion. The event featured a stunning 16-foot Christmas tree adorned with ribbons, each bearing the names of loved ones, offering a poignant and heartfelt tribute. Guests also illuminated the chapel’s entrance with tea lights in lantern bags, lining the pathway in memory of those laid to rest at Lincoln Cemetery.
“This reflects Lincoln’s commitment to putting the community first, honoring loved ones, and creating a place of beauty and reflection,” said Raymond Burr, Chief Operating Officer of Lincoln Cemetery. “Our vision is to make Lincoln the most beautiful and premier cemetery in the Southeast. Christmas is a time of joy and reflection, and seeing families come together here reminds us of the vital role Lincoln plays in their lives.”
Shayda Frost, owner of Lincoln Cemetery, shared her excitement for the future:
“This is the start of many great community events at Lincoln. Seeing our beautifully restored chapel come alive with so many people celebrating this Christmas tree lighting warms my heart. When I took over Lincoln, my goal was to make it special again. In just one year, we’ve reinvested significantly into this cemetery to bring that vision to life. This is only the beginning—by this time next year, Lincoln will be even more beautiful, with even greater enhancements and more families joining us.”
Families in attendance expressed their joy that this special gathering will become an annual tradition. Many shared how much they value Lincoln Cemetery as an integral part of the community, describing it as an exceptionally special place that honors loved ones with care and reverence.
Lincoln memorial group welcomes former sci leader raymond burr as chief operating officer
Raymond Burr, newly appointed Chief Operating Officer of Lincoln Memorial Group
Atlanta, GA – Lincoln Memorial Group, one of the largest family-owned cemetery companies in Georgia, is delighted to announce the appointment of Raymond Burr as the Company’s new Chief Operating Officer (COO). This strategic hire underscores the Lincoln Memorial Group’s vision to transform into a best-in-class provider of end-of-life services.
Raymond brings more than 15 years of industry experience — including a proven track record of driving revenue growth and developing high-performing sales teams in the Atlanta market during his tenure at Service Corporation International (SCI), the largest funeral and cemetery company in North America.
“Raymond’s client-focused obsession and visionary leadership are precisely what we need to elevate Lincoln Memorial Group to new heights,” said Shayda Frost and Timothy Amoui, Owners of Lincoln Memorial Group. “This is more than just a hire—it’s a bold step toward achieving our ambitious vision for Lincoln 3.0 and fulfilling our mission to be the best in the community at honoring our community.”
Lincoln Memorial Group’s cemetery portfolio includes Lincoln Cemetery, one of the largest historically Black cemeteries in the United States. Lincoln Cemetery is the final resting place for many notable Atlanta citizens, including leading civil rights leaders Hosea Williams and Revs. Ralph David Abernathy. In addition to Lincoln Cemetery, the company operates Monte Vista Biblical Gardens and, in Decatur, Dawn Memorial Park and Washington Memorial Gardens, creating a network of historic cemeteries serving families across Atlanta.