Source: National Cemetery Administration · cem.va.gov · scraped May 2026
History of Georgia National Cemetery
Georgia National Cemetery is the second national cemetery in Georgia and the 123rd in the national cemetery system. A private citizen donated the 775-acre site to the National Cemetery Administration in 2001. At maximum capacity, 330 acres of the site will be developed for burials; the remainder of the site is too steep to be used for interments. Historically, the site was used for logging purposes and as a hunting ground for local residents.
Georgia National Cemetery is located near the site of the Etowah burial mounds, created by American Indians of the Mississippian culture between AD 1000–1550. This site is one of the largest American Indian burial mounds in North America. Archaeological investigations have been conducted on Etowah mounds for over one hundred years.
Georgia National Cemetery opened for burials in 2006, and was formally dedicated on June 4 of that year.
Notable interments
Veterans, public figures, and citizens of note buried at Georgia National Cemetery, listed by section and site as recorded by the National Cemetery Administration.
Joseph "Max" Cleland (1942–2021) was born in Atlanta, Georgia on August 24, 1942.
He was an outstanding student athlete who was drawn to public service. He earned a B.A. from Stetson university and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Army through its ROTC program. He earned an M.A. in history from Emory University. Cleland volunteered for service during the height of the Vietnam War in 1967. He lost both legs and his right arm when a grenade detonated beside him during a mission near Khe Sanh in April 1968. Cleland overcame his physical and mental wounds. He was elected as the youngest member of the Georgia senate in 1970 at age 34. President Jimmy Carter appointed him to head the Veterans Administration in 1977. Addressing Veteran's mental health was a key focus of his tenure. Cleland became Georgia's Secretary of State in 1982 and held that office for 12 years. He was elected to the U.S. Senate (Ga.-D) in 1996 and served one term. He was appointed to the 9-11 Commission in 2002. In 2009 President Barack Obama appointed him Secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission. He was appointed Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Arlington National Cemetery in 2010. Cleland's career was devoted to Veterans issues and honoring their memory. He was instrumental in bringing Georgia National Cemetery to the state after Marietta closed to burials in the 1970s. He died November 9 and is interred in Section 6, Site 132, beside his father (a WWII Navy veteran) and mother.
PFC Hood E.
Cole (World War II). Cole (1925–1945) was from Atlanta, GA, and served with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 276th Infantry Regiment, 70th Infantry Division during World War II. On January 14, 1945, Cole's unit was attacked by German forces near Baerenthal, France. At some point during the fighting, Cole was killed, and due to the fighting, his body was unable to be immediately recovered. He was accounted for by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency on February 22, 2023 and now rests in Section 9, Site 792.
Isabelle Daniels Holston (Olympic Athlete).
Isabelle (1937–2017) was a sprinter, Olympian, educator, and coach. She grew up in Georgia and was a natural athlete, becoming a local track star before graduating from high school. Daniels distinguished herself at Tennessee State University and competed in the 1955 Pan American Games, winning a silver medal. She participated in the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, where she won the bronze medal in the 4 × 100 meters relay. She later became a P.E. teacher and coach, where she received numerous accolades, including National Coach of the Year in 1990. She was also inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame and the Hall of Fame of the Bob Hayes Invitational Track Meet in Jacksonville, Florida. She was married to Army veteran Rev. Sidney R. Holston, with whom she had four children. She passed away at the age of 80 and now rests in Section 11, Site 1285.
Lonnie C.
King, Jr. (1936–2019) was born in Georgia and spent his childhood with his grandfather, who was a sharecropper, circuit preacher, and member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. King then went to Atlanta and lived among the city's black institutions, such as Ebenezer Baptist, where Martin Luther King Sr. was the pastor, and the Butler Street YMCA. He served in the U.S. Navy, 1954–1957, and afterward returned to Atlanta and graduated from Morehouse College. By 1960 he was leading peaceful demonstrations and organizing sit-ins in local restaurants to end segregation in the city. He was a force behind the March 9, 1960, "Appeal for Human Rights," and remained a civil rights advocate throughout his life. King died March 5 and is buried in Georgia National Cemetery, Section 2, Site 1755.
CPL Anthony Konze (Korean War.) Konze (1930–1950) was from Brooklyn, NY, and served with Company C, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division during the Korean War.
He was reported missing in action on September 1 in the vicinity of Changyong in the Republic of Korea and a finding of death was issued for him on May 7, 1954. He was accounted for by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency on December 18, 2024 and his remains are interred in Section 9, Site 512.
LCPL Squire K.
Wells (Persian Gulf). "Skip" Wells (1994–2015), the son of a Marine, was from Marietta, GA, and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 2014. According to family and friends, he had a love of flag football and U.S. history and dreamed of becoming a drill sergeant someday. Wells was assigned to M Battery, 5th Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve in Chattanooga, TN, and was one of five servicemembers killed during an act of domestic terrorism on July 16, 2015. He rests in Section 2, Site 2541.
Eligibility for burial at Georgia National Cemetery
Planning ahead for a Veteran's or loved-one's final resting place can eliminate unnecessary delays and reduce stress on a family at a difficult time.
Request eligibility status for:
Veteran or servicemember Spouse Dependent family member Apply online »
Burial in a VA national cemetery is open to all members of the armed forces who have met a minimum active duty service requirement and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
Directions
Directions from I-75: Take exit 290 (Highway 20) toward Canton (east). Travel 12 miles, turn left into cemetery entrance located near Knox Bridge.
Directions from I-575: Take exit 16, go left at the overpass and follow the signs to GA Highway 20. Turn left (west) on to GA Highway 20 for approximately six miles, cross the Knox Bridge and the cemetery entrance is on the right.
Floral and grounds policy
Floral arrangements accompanying the casket or urn at the time of burial will be placed as follows: a maximum of three will be placed on the grave, and the remainder will be placed at a central location.
Fresh cut flowers may be placed on graves at any time of the year. They will be removed when they become unsightly or when it becomes necessary to facilitate cemetery operations, such as mowing. Floral cones are available near each burial section at the water station.
Weapons policy
VA regulations 38 CFR 1.218 prohibit the carrying of firearms (either openly or concealed), explosives or other dangerous or deadly weapons while on VA property, except for official purposes, such as military funeral honors.
Possession of firearms on any property under the charge and control of VA is prohibited. Offenders may be subject to a fine, removal from the premises, or arrest.
Education and visiting programs
We are developing educational content for this national cemetery, and will post new materials as they become available. Visit the Veterans Legacy Program and NCA History Program for additional information. Thank you for your interest.
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Nearest cemeteries
The three closest veteran cemeteries to Georgia National Cemetery (by straight-line distance):
- Marietta National Cemetery — Marietta, GA (20 mi · closed)
- Chattanooga National Cemetery — Chattanooga, TN (69 mi · open)
- Fort McClellan EPW Cemetery — Anniston, AL (79 mi · closed)
Nearby veteran-friendly funeral homes
The following funeral homes within a 50-mile radius of Georgia National Cemetery have demonstrated a commitment to serving veterans through specialized services, VA benefits coordination, or dedicated honors details.
Cherokee Memorial Park is a premier funeral home located at 120 Memorial Drive in Canton, GA. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapel, flat markers, and mausoleums. Professional offerings include cremation, in-ground burial, and above-ground entombment, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Buddhist, Catholic, Hindu, Muslim, Christian, and Jewish.
South Canton Funeral Home and Chapel is a premier funeral home located at 3147 Marietta Hwy. in Canton, GA. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapel. Professional offerings include immediate need, traditional services, and cremation services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,595. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,650, while direct cremation is available from $2,595. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Baptist.
Darby Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 480 East Main Street in Canton, GA. The property features well-appointed spaces including funeral home, offices, and chapel. Professional offerings include funerals, obituaries, and pre-planning, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,695. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $3,145, while direct cremation is available from $2,695. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Baptist, Methodist, Church of God, and Christian (General).
Sosebee Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 191 Jarvis Street in Canton, GA. The property features well-appointed spaces including lounge area. Professional offerings include service options, service pricing, and personalization, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,600. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,600, while direct cremation is available from $2,600.
Leaf Cremation is a premier funeral home located at 4325 Highway 92 in Acworth, GA. The property features well-appointed spaces including on_site_crematory, wheelchair_accessible, and ample_parking. Professional offerings include cremation, burial, and direct_cremation, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,495. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $1,995, while direct cremation is available from $1,495. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Baptist, Church of Christ, and Catholic.
Winkenhofer Pine Ridge Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 2950 North Cobb Parkway in Kennesaw, GA. The property features well-appointed spaces including flexible event space, celebration of life center, and veterans cemetery section. Professional offerings include cremation, traditional funeral, and burial, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $3,390. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,690, while direct cremation is available from $2,695. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic, Asian Traditions, Buddhist, Hispanic Traditions, Hindu, Muslim, Christian (Protestant), Jewish, and Black Funeral Traditions.
Parnick Jennings Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 430 Cassville Road in Cartersville, GA. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones. Professional offerings include ash scattering, burial services, and celebration of life, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,795. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,120, while direct cremation is available from $2,795. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Christian, Jewish, and Islamic.
Roper Funeral Home & Crematory is a premier funeral home located at 206 Holly St. in Jasper, GA. The property features well-appointed spaces including funeral home. Professional offerings include permanent memorialization, funeral services, and pre-planning, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,595. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,795, while direct cremation is available from $2,595. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Christian and Baptist.