History & Staff

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."