Oleander Memorial Gardens

Naturally beautiful grounds

Oleander Memorial Gardens was developed on land that encompassed approximately 40 acres and included a 2-acre lake. Prior to the development of the cemetery, the land was the Coble family's horse farm. The fence lined pastures and single lane dirt paths were the foundation for our gardens and roads. The dirt roads were widened and paved, and gardens were developed where horses once grazed. The natural beauty of the rolling hills is enhanced by century-old trees and azaleas, as well as a variety of wildlife.

Burial and memorialization options

Whether you prefer traditional burial, mausoleum entombment or cremation memorialization, there are plenty of options available at Oleander Memorial Gardens. Our professional and caring staff is here for you every step of the way. We help you choose the option that best suits your family’s need, no matter if you have an immediate need or wish to make arrangements in advance.

Involved in the Wilmington community

An addition to providing cemetery service to the Wilmington community, we are actively involved in the community. Along with Greenlawn Memorial Park and Coble Ward-Smith Funeral and Cremation Service, we proudly support Nourish NC and their efforts to reduce childhood hunger. We contribute food items to the organization and volunteer to assist in packing food for distribution. Since 2007, we've supported the Wilmington Walk MS.

A provider you can trust

We are proud to be a member of the Dignity Memorial® network of funeral, cremation and cemetery providers. When you choose Oleander Memorial Gardens, you not only receive the compassionate care you expect from a Wilmington operated establishment but also the value you deserve from North America’s largest network of funeral, cremation and memorialization services.

Visit us

We invite you to visit us at 306 Bradley Dr. to meet our staff and tour our beautiful cemetery grounds. Please contact us if you need immediate assistance or if you would like more information about our burial and memorialization services.

For funeral and cremation planning, please contact our sister location Coble Funeral & Cremation Service. A 15-minute drive away, on the other side of Wilmington, the mortuary opened in a new building in the spring of 2020 on the grounds of the beautiful Greenlawn Memorial Park.

History

Oleander Memorial Gardens was developed on land owned by Randolph “Randy” Ladd and Iona “Billie” Coble. Cemetery construction began in 1966 and the first burial was made in 1967. The property encompassed approximately 40 acres and included a 2-acre lake. Prior to the development of the cemetery, the land was the Coble family’s horse farm.

The story behind the lake

The lake on the property was originally a salt water marsh and part of brackish Bradley Creek. It has been said that when the old Wrightsville Beach drawbridge was replaced, portions of the bridge were floated to the site on a barge and put in place by heavy cranes, forming the freshwater lake. The dam was created prior to the development of the cemetery.

First mausoleum constructed

The first mausoleum was constructed in 1974 and was almost complete when Iona “Billie” Coble passed away at Christmas in 1974 and was entombed there.

Joining the Dignity Memorial network

Oleander Memorial Gardens, along with its sister company, Coble Funeral Service, joined what is now known as the Dignity Memorial network in mid-1976. For more than 50 years, the caring associates at Oleander Memorial Gardens have provided compassionate care and excellent service to every Wilmington-area family we are honored to serve.