Suffolk News-Herald

The state Cemetery Board is expected to decide the fate of Carver Memorial Cemetery next week.

The board, which meets at 9 a.m. Wednesday in Richmond, will determine whether to grant Abraham Applewhite, owner of the troubled East Washington Street cemetery, a new cemetery operating license, said Mary Broz, spokeswoman for the state Department of Occupational and Professional Regulations.

The cemetery that has traditionally served Suffolk’s black community has been the target of multiple complaints in recent years. Chief complaints involve the lack of perpetual maintenance that plot owners are guaranteed, such as proper roadway maintenance.

Irene Applewhite, the cemetery’s former compliance officer, and Abraham Applewhite Jr., former vice president, voluntarily surrendered the license this past October.

In November, Abraham Applewhite asked the board to renew the license for one year. He told the board that if the licensed was renewed, he would borrow money to pave the cemetery, pay the city $36,000 in back real estate taxes and hire telemarketers to sell plots.

At that time, the board opted to delay its decision for 90 days until further information could be obtained.