THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT  
              Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Sunday, January 26, 1997              TAG: 9701240184
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 24   EDITION: FINAL  
SOURCE: BY MARGO MATEAS, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: SUFFOLK                           LENGTH:   62 lines

CORRECTION/CLARIFICATION: ***************************************************************** The location of a new H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments cemetery and funeral home was incorrect. It will be located at Pruden Boulevard and Kings Fork Highway. Correction published in the Suffolk Sun, Thursday, January 30, 1997, page 17. ***************************************************************** H.D. OLIVER TO EXPAND CEMETERY, BUILD FUNERAL HOME IN SUFFOLK THE 41-ACRE SITE IS LOCATED AT THE CORNER OF GODWIN BOULEVARD AND KINGS FORK HIGHWAY.

H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments has purchased a 41-acre spread of land at the corner of Godwin Boulevard and Kings Fork Highway behind the Nansemond-Suffolk Academy with plans to build a 5,500 grave monument-style cemetery and funeral home within the year.

John P. Oliver, president of the family-owned mortuary, says the firm had been seeking to build in Suffolk for some time and chanced upon the opportunity to buy the parcel formerly owned by Mt. Olive college last year for just under $500,000.

``I really like the country and wanted to establish a nice facility out here,'' Oliver said.

Eventually Oliver wants to move his family to Suffolk from their current home in Virginia Beach.

Oliver said he is looking forward to becoming more involved in the community as his business moves along.

``Suffolk is an old community and the Olivers are an old, established family.

``We felt there was a natural blend in coming to Suffolk,'' added H.D. Oliver General Manager Mike Leonard.

Planned improvements for the cemetery complex will include adding roads and a main entrance and a new roof to the existing mausoleum.

Every effort will be expended to maintain the existing park-like, rural setting, Oliver said.

Completion of the first phase will be completed within the year.

A crematorium and expansion of the mausoleum may be added in the second phase of development if the need develops.

H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments is the oldest family-owned funerary establishment in Tidewater, founded in 1865.

John Oliver represents the fifth generation to participate in the family business.

The term ``apartments'' originated in the 1800's when families had to commute long distances via horse and buggy for burial services.

Instead of having to incur the expense of hotels and inns, the H.D. Oliver family added apartments to the funeral home, allowing the bereaved family to stay in comfort and attend the funeral services before beginning the trek home. ILLUSTRATION: Sketch courtesy of H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments

Plans for the cemetery call for a 5,500 grave monument-style

facility within the year on the site behind Nansemond-Suffolk

Academy.