History & Staff

About Us

Our History

The Farrar Funeral Home was founded in Jefferson City, Tennessee on December 25, 1924 by the late Roy E. Farrar, Sr. and his wife Aline Taylor Farrar, along with his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Walter C. Taylor and Clara Renegar Taylor, after having purchased the Bill Orr Undertaking Company.

On this date the Bill Orr Undertaking Company was resolved upon the retirement of Bill Orr and the business then formed would become known as the W.C. Taylor Undertaking Company.

Roy E. Farrar, Sr. was a graduate of the John A. Gupton College of Embalming Class of 1923 in Nashville, Tennessee and he was the first licensed embalmer in Jefferson County, Tennessee. The original location of the W.C. Taylor Undertaking Company was on Main Street in downtown Jefferson City in a small building next to the Ingram Barber Shop. The business, now under the knowledgeable guidance of Mr. Taylor and Mr. Farrar, prospered greatly and it was inevitable that a larger facility be acquired. Mr. Taylor and Mr. Farrar then built what is known today as the May Manor in Jefferson City especially to handle the demands of their operation in the early 1930's.

The funeral home operated from this facility until the untimely death of Mr. Taylor in 1938. At this time, Mr. Farrar in Jefferson City and Mr. Jack Taylor in Rogersville, Tennessee acquired the total interest of the W.C. Taylor Undertaking Company.

At this point, the demands for a more spacious facility were facing Jack and Roy once again and the decision to sell the property and move to the Russell Avenue location was made. In 1942, the entire interest of the W.C. Taylor Undertaking Company was acquired by Roy E. Farrar, Sr. and the name was formally changed to Farrar Funeral Home.

The funeral home and ambulance service operated from the Russell Avenue Location adjacent to the Carson-Newman College Campus and served the residents of Jefferson County from one facility. In 1945, the decision was made by Farrar, his oldest son, James C. Farrar, his middle son, Roy.E. "Toad" Farrar, Jr., and his youngest son, Joe T. Farrar to expand his business to better accomodate the growing needs of the county as a whole.

The Farrar Funeral Home Dandridge Chapel was comissioned in 1945 under the direction of Farrar and his son, Roy.E. "Toad" Farrar, Jr. providing both ambulance and funeral service to the Dandridge area. The county continued to prosper and grow every year and it was then a decision was made by Farrar and his sons to open a third location to better serve the needs of the community.

The Farrar Funeral Home White Pine Chapel was comissioned in 1952 under the direction of Farrar and his son, Joe T. Farrar providing ambulance and funeral service to the White Pine area. Ambulance service was provided to the community until 1972 when state laws ever changing made it impossible for the funeral homes statewide to continue this operation. The Jefferson City Chapel operated at the Russell Avenue location until the decision was made by Farrar and his sons to move the business to its present location on Broadway Boulevard in 1974.

Farrar and his sons continued the operation of the family business until 1980, at which time Farrar suffered a devastating stroke which forced him to retire. At that time, Farrar decided himself to move into a nursing facility to ensure his care and allow his sons to serve their clientele faithfully. Although retired, Farrar was constantly abreast of the family business until his final days in 1984 at which time he died very peacefully in his sleep. James, "Toad", and Joe Farrar continued with their father's dream and has managed to faithfully uphold the high level of service in which their father taught them and today Farrar Funeral Home is being served by the fourth generation of the Farrar Family along with very capable employees who give freely of their time, their ability, and show great dedication to the continuation of the Farrar tradition.

W. Jack Farrar, CFSP, President, Co-Owner, Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer

Jack is the youngest son of R. E. "Toad" Farrar and has been employed for more than 30 years with the organization. He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in the State of Tennessee. He is co-owner of the firm and is now continuing his grandfather's organization. Jack is past-president of the Tennessee Funeral Directors Association (2006-2007) and is currently serving as chairman of the Legislative and Government Affairs Committee. Jack is currently serving as president for Tennessee Funeral Security Incorporated. He is also a board member of The Independent Funeral Group. Jack attends First United Methodist Church in Dandridge and is married to the former Tammie Barbee. They have two children, Laura (Cody) Farrar Cantrell and Kelly Farrar.
Britt C. Farrar, Vice-President, Co-Owner, Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer

Britt is the youngest son of James C. Farrar and has been employed with the firm for more than 25 years. He is co-owner of the firm and in now continuing his grandfather's organization. He is a graduate of Carson-Newman University and the Cincinatti College of Mortuary Science and is a licensed funeral director and a licensed embalmer in the State of Tennessee. He is retired from the Jefferson City Fire Department as deputy fire chief. He now serves as safety officer with the New Market Volunteer Fire Department and attends Faith Baptist Church in Jefferson City. Britt is married to Stacey Seals and they have five children, Tyler, Taylor, Gage, Ashleigh and Abby.
Laura Farrar Cantrell, CFSP, Licensed Funeral Director, Preneed Sales Agent

Laura is a fourth-generation Farrar family funeral director. She began her service in the funeral industry in 2013 and obtained her licensure from John A. Gupton College. Laura is the eldest daughter of W. Jack Farrar and is married to Nelson Cody Cantrell of Dandridge. She is a member of the Tennessee Funeral Directors Association where she will be serving on the Board of Directors. She enjoys cooking, reading, running and traveling.
Gage Farrar, Funeral Attendant

Gage is the youngest son of co-owner Britt C. Farrar. He attends Faith Baptist Church and goes to Jefferson Middle School. He enjoys sports and outdoor activities. He is a Junior Cadet Fireman with the New Market Volunteer Fire Department where he serves as junior chaplain. His future goal is to become a licensed funeral director and embalmer and carry on the family business.
Dennis Alder, Licensed Funeral Director

Dennis Alder is a licensed funeral director for Farrar Funeral Homes. Dennis lives in Talbott, TN. He and his wife, Judy, have three sons, Aaron (Chasa), Andrew and Adam. They also have two granddaughters, Allie Grace and Kylie Belle.
Johnny Walker, Manager, Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer

Johnny Walker is employed as a funeral director and embalmer. He has been in the funeral business for 20 years and is married to Pam Haun Walker. He has one son, Lex Coffey, three grandsons, Parker, Talon and Maverick. He is a member of the White Pine Fire Department and his family is active in the White Pine Community. Johnny is a co-chair of the Mass Fatality Committee with the Tennessee Funeral Directors Association. He is a 2004 graduate of Jefferson State Community College in Birmingham, AL.
Anne Cotter, CFSP, Manager, Licensed Funeral Director, Embalmer, Certified Crematory Operator

Anne is a native of Athens, TN where she graduated from McMinn County High School. Anne knew at a young age that funeral service was her calling but few women pursued a career in the industry during the 1980s. In 2009, when the car industry took a down turn, she decided to go back to school for her passion. In 2012, Anne became a graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Decatur, GA.
In the spring of 2012, Anne was recognized by the NFDA (National Funeral Directors Association) as one of the top up and coming female funeral directors for 2012. She was awarded one of five scholarships and was flown to Fort Myers, Florida to be recognized at the NFDA Professional Women's Conference.
Anne is married to Damon Cotter and they have two sons, Johnathan (Brandy) and Clayton. Anne and Damon also have two granddaughters, Willow and Brooklyn.
Adam Alder, Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer

Adam Alder is a licensed funeral director and embalmer for Farrar Funeral Homes. Having served his apprenticeship at Farrar Funeral Home, Adam graduated from Jefferson State Community College of Funeral Service in May of 2008. Adam resides in Talbott and is the son of Dennis and Judy Alder.
Kerri Fitch, Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer

Kerri Yokley is a native of Knoxville, TN where she graduated from Carter High School. She is the daughter of David Yokley, Paula Reagon, and step-father Roy Reagon. She graduated from Carson-Newman University with a bachelor's degree in Pre-Medical Biology. Kerri then went on to pursue her career in funeral service, which led her to graduating from John A. Gupton College of Mortuary Science in Nashville, TN.
Sandra Combs, Office Manager

Sandra is the funeral home office manager at our Jefferson City location. She is the former Sandra Hodge and is married to Max Combs of Rutledge. They are members of Oakland Baptist Church in Grainger County, TN. They have one child, Bethany Combs Morgan and two grandchildren, Wyatt and Makayla Morgan.
Sammy Solomon, Funeral Attendant

Sammy is employed by the firm as a funeral assistant. He is the son of Frank and Nancy Solomon and is married to the former Leigh Patterson. Sammy is active in the New Market Fire Department and Rescue Team, where he is Commander of Administration.
J. Ray Walker, Funeral Attendant, Fleet Supervisor

J. Ray is employed as a funeral assistant with the funeral home and also works with the Jefferson County School System as a school bus driver. He lives in Dandridge and is the captain of the Jefferson County Rescue Squad and a member of the Dandridge Volunteer Fire Department. He is married to Brenda Layman Walker. He has two children, Jay Howard and Misty Diane and four grandchildren, Jessi, Sammi, Hailey and Derrick.
Jimmy Satterfield, Funeral Attendant

Jimmy is employed as a funeral assistant with the funeral home. He lives in Jefferson City and also teaches agriculture at Jefferson County High School. He is the son of Kathryn and the late Don Satterfield, who was employed by Farrar Funeral Home for 50 years before his death. Jimmy has one daughter, Lora.
Darrell Chambers, Funeral Attendant, Staff Clergy, Musician

Darrel’s association with Farrar Funeral Home began in 1971 at the age of 16 when Toad called and asked if he would play the piano for a funeral. He continued serving all three locations as a pianist and organist until 1999 when he went into ministry. Following his licensing as a minister with the United Methodist Church, not only was he called upon to offer music, but he became one of the staff’s clergy, serving families as both minister and musician. God has blessed him with the ability to offer comfort not only through music, but through His Spirit of relating to those who are hurting and just need a word of HOPE. May God bless all who he is blessed to serve.
Glen Warren, Funeral Attendant

Glen Warren is employed as a funeral attendant. He has been working with Farrar Funeral Home for the past five years. He has two sons, one daughter and one granddaughter. He is currently serving the Town of White Pine as Mayor. Glen is employed by the Jefferson County Clerk as a Deputy Clerk. He is a talented musician that has served families in the past. Glen, along with Johnny Walker and Dale Snapp are the founding members of the music held in White Pine on Saturday nights. He is the son of long time White Pine town employee, Ed and Carolyn Warren.
Brad Gass, Funeral Attendant
Roger Sartain, Funeral Attendant

Roger is employed as a part time funeral assistant. He lives in Talbott and is married to Nickie Sartain. They have two daughers, Summer and Shae.
Kathy Cantrell, Secretary

Kathy Cantrell is a native of Jefferson County and lives in the Shady Grove community. She is retired from TVA and now serves as a secretary to the firm. Kathy is married to Arnaze Cantrell and together they have two sons, Blake and Cody. Kathy’s favorite job is being Mimi to her to grandsons, Tate and Hudson Cantrell.
Ralph Farrar Cantrell, Therapy Dog

Ralph joined Farrar Funeral Home as the first certified therapy dog. He attended Off Leash K9 training in August 2020 where he concentrated on emotional support and development. Ralph loves being at the funeral home and greeting all of the families we serve.