The Society of Ceres was created in 1983 by Mayor Elizabeth Proctor and named after the Roman goddess of horticulture for the purpose of renewing and maintaining the plantings in Belle Meade.

We take great care and pride in continuing to improve the natural beauty, the sense of community, and even the quality of life in Belle Meade. We are dedicated to the preservation, education and beautification of our wonderful Beautiful Meadow.

Beautification Committee Members:

Jackie Bellar – Jackie Bellar is a lifelong gardener and enjoys mixing a variety of perennial and annual plants in her garden. She also has a Koi pond with waterfalls. She attended Master Gardening classes and has lived in Belle Meade with her husband Jerry since 1980.

Bunny Blackburn - Bunny Blackburn has served on many commissions and committees in the City of Belle Meade, including Historical Zoning, Planning, Belle Meade Boulevard, various sidewalk committees, and is currently on the committee to select a landscape architect.  Bunny has been a resident of Belle Meade for 27 years.  She is an interior designer with a deep appreciation for history, preservation, and classical architecture.  Her hobbies and interests include gardening and golf.  She is married to Mike, and they have 4 adult children.

Jill DeBona – Jill inherited her love of gardening from her mother. She is a Master Gardener, smitten by roses and English Cottage Gardens. As a bird lover, she uses organic practices to protect beneficials and our feathered friends.

Carter Dawson – Carter is a native Nashvillian and has lived in her home in Belle Meade since 2010 with her husband Chris and two children.  Carter is the Owner of Botanica, a floral design and landscape consulting company. She holds a Master's in Landscape Architecture from LSU and is an active member of The Garden Club of Nashville.

Susan Isaacs - Susan inherited her parents' and grandparents’ love of plants.  One of her favorite memories is enjoying the fig allee in formal gardens her grandmother created on the South Caroline fall line. She gardens to cultivate beauty and support the native ecosystem.

Martha Phipps – Martha is a Master Gardener and loves creating English cottage gardens. She has a special interest in the gardens that surround our beautiful city and has lived in Belle Meade for over 40 years.

Crispin Menefee and Luca Sanders.

Advisors – Lisa Ellis, Carolyn Sorenson, Gavin Duke, and Jeffrey Ezell