New Market Families Left Heartbroken Over Missing Grave Markers
NEW MARKET, Tenn. — In the quiet town of New Market, families grieving their loved ones are finding themselves in a heartbreaking situation. They are desperately asking—what happened to the money they paid for grave markers? For many, this isn’t just about a stone; it’s about honoring the memory of those they’ve lost. Sadly, some have been waiting for over a year, and the answers remain elusive.
Devastating Loss and Long Waits
One of those affected is Melvina Sexton. She had high hopes for a grave marker to honor her stepdaughter, Martaysha Flack, who tragically lost her life to a random bullet while simply sitting in her car three years ago. After a two-year struggle to save up for this marker, Melvina reached out to a well-known monument company run by Tom Solomon in Jefferson County.
Melvina recounts her visit on May 4, 2023, when she was prepared to make her payment. “I tried to pay with a check, but I was told they only accepted a cashier’s check or cash,” she said, explaining that she handed over a cashier’s check for $725 to Tim Noe, who was sitting with Solomon at the time. While she walked away with a sketch of the marker, a shocking revelation followed—Noe later claimed he never received the payment.
Heartbroken Families Seeking Closure
Another woman, Barbara Mathis, feels a similar pain. She was eager to have a marker placed at her husband Mike Mathis’s grave at Shady Grove Cemetery in Dandridge after he passed away in September 2023. Like Melvina, Barbara approached Solomon’s monument company, where she was informed by both men that a marker would be delivered after a brief wait. Unfortunately, months passed and no marker had been delivered.
After Solomon’s death in December 2023, Barbara reached out to Noe, who initially reassured her the marker was on its way. But by March, his story changed, and like Melvina, Barbara found herself unceremoniously told to seek legal counsel.
Unfolding Drama and Legal Battles
The situation worsened when a note appeared on the company’s office door, declaring the business out of operation. A new company, Jefferson Monuments, has since taken over at that same location. Curious about the ongoing plight of these families, a news team contacted Noe directly. When questioned about the missing payments, he deflected responsibility, insisting that any issues regarding money were for Solomon’s family to address.
“What he did with his money about paying for orders and things, that’s all with him and his granddaughter and son-in-law,” Noe stated, distancing himself away from the fallout. However, the families do not find solace in this; they want accountability and answers. One angry buyer, Courtney Ball, is fighting back in court after giving Noe $1,754 for her mother’s marker. Surprisingly, in court, Noe asserted that he was simply an assistant pointing to Solomon and his family as the responsible parties.
Empty Promises and a Questionable Future
After hearing testimonies, Judge Will Roach faced a tough decision. Ultimately, he ruled against Courtney, indicating that there was no evidence to confirm Noe had financially benefited from the sales. The judge’s ruling left many disappointed, as families walked away still without the tribute they eagerly awaited for their loved ones.
When asked about his role at Solomon’s company outside the courtroom, Noe described himself as just “a helper” who managed administrative tasks and took payments. Those who stepped forward to share their stories are left with empty hearts and unanswered questions. As to the financial fate of the payments made, Noe conveyed that only the Solomon family could provide clarity. However, Solomon’s granddaughter, Rochelle Davis, mentioned that she and her father had no involvement in the day-to-day operations, adding to the families’ sense of hopelessness.
A Community Seeking Resolution
As the saga unfolds, grieving families are left holding onto memories while grappling with financial uncertainty. They are searching for closure and a way to honor their loved ones properly. For them, this wait has become a painful reminder of the loss they already endure.
Time marches on, but without accountability or the satisfaction of a proper burial memorial, these families remain suspended in a poignant limbo. All they want is a way to celebrate and remember those they lost, and yet, they are left in the dark.
