Our History
As early as 1904, G. Frank Robinson was operating an undertaking parlor from the second floor of his furniture store in Damascus, Virginia. When Mock-Wright bought Mr. Robinson's business in 1912, L. H. Wright became the undertaker. In 1938, Herbert L. Wright purchased the undertaking business from Mock-Wright and soon moved it from the furniture store to a small former hotel across the street.
In 1949, Wright Funeral Home moved into a new two-story brick building that Wright had built for this purpose. The firm is still located there today. Just prior to his retirement in 1972, Wright sold the business to John Mullins, a funeral service licensee originally from Clintwood, Virginia, and the name was changed to Mullins Funeral Home. In October 1977, Mullins sold the firm to Bob Johnson of Coeburn, Virginia, who changed the name to Johnson Funeral Home.
During 1990, the Johnson Funeral Home building was completely remodeled - from new carpet on the floor to new shingles for the roof, new furniture, padding for the chapel pews, and new paint inside and out.
Effective October 1, 2001, Johnson Funeral Home was renamed Garrett Funeral Home. The funeral home was named for Todd Garrett who is the manager there. Richard Tetrick, President of Heritage Family Funeral Services, stated, "Todd stands for the funeral home. Not only is he the licensed funeral director and manager there, he is the symbol of the funeral home in the community. Todd is a 'home-town' boy who has done extremely well in his chosen field. After receiving training, he chose to return to his native community, where his family lives, to pursue his career. We are very pleased and consider it fitting to name the funeral home Garrett Funeral Home."
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Todd Garrett Manager/Funeral Director/Embalmer
Todd, a licensed funeral director and embalmer in both Virginia and Tennessee, is the manager of Garrett Funeral Home. Todd is a native of Damascus, Virginia, and attended Holston High School where he was the captain and quarterback of the football team. He attended the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, Cincinnati, Ohio, where he graduated sixth in his class "Cum Laude" in 1992 with an Associate Degree in Mortuary Science. Todd is a member of the Virginia Institute of Funeral Professionals, former president of the Southwest Virginia Funeral Directors Association, and member of the Damascus Citizens Club. Todd is a member of the First Baptist Church and has a son, Nicholas Peyton Garrett, and a daughter, Madison Nicolle Garrett.
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Owen Parks Apprentice Funeral Director and Embalmer
Owen Parks is a native of Washington County, VA and is the son of Steve and Zaria Parks. Owen graduated in 2017 from Holston High School as class president and is currently serving his apprenticeship to become a licensed funeral director and embalmer. He is also attending Virginia Highlands Community College and plans to enter mortuary college in the spring of 2019. He is a member of the Damascus Citizens Club and Mount Rogers Appalachian Trail Club.
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Connie S. Kirk Administrative Assistant
Connie is a native of Washington County, Virginia and attended school at Holston High School. She has one son, Eric. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her canine companion Ziggie.
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Hughes Rouse Funeral Attendant
Charles Hughes Rouse, Jr. was born in Radford, Virginia and was raised in the Friendship Community of Washington County, Virginia. He graduated from Holston High School in 1967 and is a veteran of the U.S. Navy. Hughes worked for the Town of Damascus as a patrolman and Police Chief prior to his employment with the Washington County Sheriff's Office as a road deputy. After 31 years in law enforcement, Hughes retired as a Washington County School Resource Officer in July 2008. He is married to the former Linda Patrick of Damascus. Hughes and Linda have a son, Alan, and a daughter, Rebecca Aaron, and four grandsons. He enjoys riding his motorcycle, taking his grandsons hunting and fishing, and attending their sporting events. Hughes and Linda attend Damascus United Methodist Church.
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Brenda E. Snodgrass Funeral Attendant
Brenda is a native of Damascus, VA and now lives in Glade Spring, VA on the family farm. She is married to Bert Snodgrass. She has two sons, Travis and Brent Dyson, and two grandchildren, Brady and Emery. She also has three step-daughters and ten step-grandchildren.
She was employed at Columbus McKinnon Corporation in Damascus for 22 years. After that, she and her husband owned and operated their own business in Damascus for 17 years. She left her job at Ballad Health in 2019 after 8 years.
In her spare time, Brenda enjoys reading, gardening, and spending time with her grandchildren.
