We are dedicated to helping families give their Loved One a peaceful, natural return to earth.
Who We Are
Sunny Markham and Chrystabell Zucht
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide a natural burial sanctuary that preserves the beauty of Texas countryside, supports ecological renewal, and keeps burial accessible to all.
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns. Read more about natural green burials here.
Our Founder,
Dr. A.D. Zucht III
Dr. Arthur Darling Zucht III was the visionary founder of Countryside Memorial Park, our natural burial sanctuary in La Vernia, Texas, right outside of San Antonio.
A San Antonio native born in 1937, A.D., as he was affectionally known, purchased property in La Vernia as a young man in 1965 after a tour in the United States Navy. He was intrigued to discover graves from the 1850’s on his newly purchased land. He incorporated Countryside Memorial Park in the early 1980’s and the Beall Cemetery was granted an official Historical Marker by The Texas Historical Commission in 2005. Around that time, he had the inspiration to make Countryside an exclusively green, natural burial cemetery.
In addition to his strong desire to offer a burial that was ecologically in harmony with the earth, he was passionate about maintaining affordable prices so that no one would feel a dignified burial for their Loved One was financially out of reach. A.D. was a dentist, a commercial hot air balloonist, the chairman of the board of the Texas Transportation Museum, and an entrepreneur who embodied the spirit of a true Texas original – eclectic, forward- thinking, and full of heart. He was known for his optimistic disposition, can-do attitude and his singular and unconventional brand of charisma. His essence is imbued into the heart of Countryside, and his legacy is carried on through our dedication to his vision.
Death came with loving care; The opening bud to heaven conveyed, and bade it blossom there
– Samuel Taylor
Meet Chrystabell and Sunny,
The Stewards of Countryside.
Sunny Markham
Co-Owner
Sunny Markham is co-owner of Countryside Memorial Park, Inc., where she oversees Family Services, Sales, and Marketing. Always available to serve, she answers the phone day or night to guide families through loss and connect them with licensed, independent funeral homes experienced in natural burial. Sunny also acts as a liaison between traditional funeral providers and families choosing Natural Burial.
Creative and deeply passionate, she helps families experience the peace and beauty that Natural Burial offers. Look for her “Return to Earth” presentations and workshops on home funerals and Natural Burial in 2026. She frequently speaks as an expert guest on podcasts and at educational events and is also an artisan sand carver of natural headstones. Before becoming the official steward of Countryside, Sunny enjoyed a successful career as a professional singer and performer, and co-owned Emerald Studios—the largest recording studio in San Antonio’s history—with her late husband, composer, producer, and engineer, Mitchell Markham.
Chrystabell Zucht
Co-Owner
Chrystabell, daughter of A.D. Zucht, co-owns Countryside Memorial Park, Inc. with her mother, Sunny Markham. She shares her father’s enthusiasm for natural burial and interest in ecological conservation. After his passing in 2009, Chrystabell and Sunny had the profoundly moving experience of giving him the natural burial he had envisioned. It fundamentally shifted how she felt about death and after death care.
She observed that when the burial process is performed in harmony with nature, it feels infinitely more personal, healing, and meaningful, contrasting previous experiences with modern conventional funeral practices. A world-traveling singer and actor (known for her role in Twin Peaks: The Return), Chrystabell uses her international platform to educate others and share the beauty of this timeless way of honoring life.
Genaro Reyes, Jr.
Owner of Compassion Funeral Home
Genaro Reyes, Jr., the owner of Compassion Funeral Home and Mortuary Transport Services, and licensed Funeral Director
(Lic # 4828), believes everyone should have the opportunity to celebrate their loved one according to their personal preferences and financial availability.
He specializes in Natural Burial and cremation and has over 23 years of experience serving Texas families whenever and wherever there’s a need. Genaro and the team at Countryside Memorial Park work hand-in-hand helping families achieve serene, natural and affordable funerals for their loved ones.
Chrysta Bell Zucht is an internationally known Actor, Musician and the Steward of Countryside Memorial Park. She has always shared her father’s passion for Natural Burials, and upon his unexpected death in 2009 had the soul-satisfying experience of giving him the green burial he had always wanted. She remains deeply dedicated to Countryside and has vowed to continue to offer it as a serene, peaceful place for eco-conscious families to bury, memorialize and celebrate their Beloveds.
Music adds a memorable and deeply moving element to any ceremony, especially if it is music that your Loved One loved.