Our Legacy
Our history in the Covington/Newton County area goes back to 1920, when G.W. Caldwell came to Covington to work for R.E. Everett at Everett Funeral Home as an embalmer. After working for Mr. Everett for several years, Mr. Caldwell became quite ill and was unable to continue working. During his extended illness, another embalmer was hired by Mr. Everett, and when Mr. Caldwell recovered, he had no job to return to.
In 1933, G.W. opened his own funeral home in Porterdale, a small mill town adjoining Covington, and in 1939, he and his son, Lewis Caldwell, opened G.W. Caldwell & Son Funeral Home on Floyd Street in Covington.
In 1948, G.W. became ill again, and was forced to retire. At that time, his son-in-law, Sam Cowan, his daughter Ruth's husband, came into the business and partnered with Lewis to create Caldwell & Cowan Funeral Home.
In 1975, Lewis' son, Judson, purchased his half of the funeral business, and partnered with Sam Cowan until 1991, when Judson purchased Sam's half of the business and became sole owner.
Lewis Caldwell died in 1990, and both Sam and Ruth Cowan died in 2009, only a month apart. The wisdom and counsel of all three family members is missed.
There have been Caldwells involved in Caldwell & Cowan Funeral Home since its inception in 1933, with current owner, Judson Caldwell, being third generation.
