Shackelford Funeral Directors

20/02/2024

In 1866 the War Department established the national cemetery at Shiloh and in the fall of that year, work began to transfer the remains of the Union soldiers killed during the conflict to the 10 acres set aside for the burials. Altogether 3,584 of those soldiers were reburied on the grounds - 2,359 of whom were never identified. Their graves are marked either with the traditional veteran's upright monument or with a simple numbered post.

19/02/2024

Monday morning truth . . .

18/02/2024

16/02/2024

It was a Tuesday in May of 1951 and Raymond Houston (R. H.) McAnally, a well known farmer and implement dealer in Savannah, had loaded a boat with seed and was on his way to Wolf Island along with Bobby Gene Ragan, a 19 year old who was working with R. H. There they intended to unload their cargo and prepare for planting, but the boat tipped over, plunging both men into the Tennessee River. A nearby fisherman heard their shouts but found only the boat and a lone hat floating in the water when he reached the scene. Others came to aid in the search for their bodies, finding them both within a few hours. Funeral services for Bobby Gene were held that Thursday at 2:00 PM, followed by services for R. H. two hours later. Both men are buried in Savannah Cemetery, on opposite sides of those sacred grounds.

15/02/2024

He must have talked for almost an hour, his eyes shining as he shared stories of their 67 years together, of the beautiful home she created for them and her many accomplishments.

We didn’t meet under the best of circumstances—I was the funeral director and he was the husband grieving the imminent death of his wife.

14/02/2024

A very young Kathryne Hall Shackelford and her husband R. P. “Paisley” Shackelford posing beside the Parthenon in Nashville, Tennessee, circa a-very-long-time-ago.

13/02/2024

Susie Austin was well-known to practically every funeral director in Tennessee, many of whom purchased burial dresses from her over the years. The wife of Tom Austin who founded Austin-Bell Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, she was also active in the funeral home while traveling the state with the latest in funeral fashions - and always leaving letter openers, rulers, or “handy” (pun intended) back scratchers containing her contact information. Tom died in 1980 but Susie continued her involvement in the funeral home as well as Mrs. Tommy Austin Dresses. Her granddaughter joined her in 1994, working with her until the business sold in 2001. Susie died on November 23, 2004, at almost 90 years old, leaving behind a legacy that still endures today.

12/02/2024

Monday morning observation . . .

09/02/2024

W. M. Cowen . . . the rest of the story.

On Tuesday evening we posted this picture of a monument in Mount Zion Cemetery in McNairy County, Tennessee. It was obviously handmade by someone who loved him dearly and wanted to be certain his grave would not be lost in the future. Many of you responded to this post, liking it, sharing it, or commenting. Among those comments were two from members of the Bishop family, Mike Bishop and Beth Dutton, both of whom have family buried at Mount Zion and both of whom shared the following with us:

Mr. Cowen had a friend who was expected to die within days. There was no money to pay for the digging of his grave, so Mr. Cowen dug it for the family while it was raining. The friend made a miraculous recovery but unfortunately Mr. Cowen fell ill with pneumonia from which he did not recover. He died within a few days - and was buried in the grave he had dug for his friend.

And now you know the rest of the story . . . one that could easily have been lost to history if Mr. Bishop and Ms. Dutton hadn't taken the time to share it with us - and for that we definitely thank them!

08/02/2024

At that moment, as the family gathers around the casket, everything and everyone slowly fades away, leaving them with a flood of memories . . .

They stand beside the casket, gazing at its contents, lingering as long as possible . . . unwilling to leave because they know, once they do, they will never again see that person on this earth.

07/02/2024

As you wander toward the back of Mount Zion Cemetery in Milledgeville, Tennessee, you’ll come across a unique monument, handcrafted by someone who wanted to be certain their loved one was not forgotten. The stone has the same words etched at the top as on the bottom and says “W M Cowen who occupies this grav died July the 11th 1859 age 28 yeas”. Although the “r” is missing from the word years on the lower portion, it is included in the upper engraving.

06/02/2024

Memory Gardens of Hardin County when it was first landscaped in the late 50s or early 60s.

02/02/2024

We’re looking for a few good people to help us as we serve the families of Hardeman County and the surrounding area. If you think you’re one of those people, please give us a call. And if you would, please share this post. Who knows? Your share may lead to someone applying who’s perfect for the position!

01/02/2024

It seems that over the years people, for whatever reason, have brought their cast-off shoes as an offering to the tree. Tying their laces together, they toss them skyward, hoping to catch one of the limbs until now the lower ones are covered in all kinds of footwear.

Last Tuesday I saw something I’ve never seen before, and that’s sayin’ a lot, given how many years I’ve been around to see things.

31/01/2024

Cordie Dodd, the daughter of Daniel and Fannie Dodd, married Charles Baker "Carl" Copeland on December 21, 1913, just one day after turning 20. Their son Jesse was born approximately 15 months later; he was the only child Cordie and Carl would have before her untimely death at the young age of 25. Her husband buried her in Copeland Cemetery, hallowed ground that would also receive the remains of their son in June of 1937. Carl, however, was eventually buried in Greenview Cemetery in Florence, Alabama, placed there by his third wife Wilma (having outlived both Cordie and his second wife Bessie). The monument marking Cordie's final resting place was inscribed with the usual information . . . her name and those of her husband and parents, her dates of birth and death, and the words "We will meet again" . . . followed by the notation that the stone was "Bought by her mother".

30/01/2024

Bing Crosby was, at one time, the most recognized entertainer in the world. With record sales of over 500 million, he had more number one singles and more hits than Sinatra, Elvis, or the Beatles. He was also an avid golfer, a pastime in which he consistently indulged after his semi-retirement in the 1960s. It was at the completion of one of those rounds of golf that he died on October 14, 1977. Supposedly, his last words were "That was a great game of golf, fellas" but according to Valentin Barrios, the general manager of the course were Bing was playing (and who was present at the time), Crosby turned to him and said, "Let's go have a Coca-Cola" before collapsing of a heart attack. Despite Bing stating in his will that only his wife Kathryn and his children were to attend his funeral, she also invited Bob and Dolores Hope, Rosemary Clooney and her son, Phil Harris and Bing's brother, Bob as well as his business associates, fishing buddies, and other personal friends. The funeral was held at 5:00 in the morning in an effort to keep the media away.

29/01/2024

This handy little gadget was a freebie given away by Bland Casket Company, a manufacturer of quality wood and metal caskets from 1926 until they sold in 1975 and then closed in the early 80s. It stands a whole three inches high and is a tad over one and a quarter inches from side to side - and holds a 50 foot tape measure. One that will neatly clip onto your shirt pocket, just like a standard ink pen.

26/01/2024

UPDATE: The prodigal cat has returned! We don’t know where she’s been or if our post led to her being brought back/returned/released, but thank you so much to everyone who shared! There are a few happy dances being done in Savannah this morning!

This little bit has been missing from the funeral home in Savannah since the Sunday of the great snowfall. If anyone has any information regarding her whereabouts, they’d love to know. Things just aren’t quite right without her. And if you would, please share the post so hopefully she can be found. Thanks so much!

25/01/2024

I picked him up, took him to the couch, and he settled into my lap . . . then onto the rug . . . then wallered all over my feet . . . and purred and drooled and slung cat spit everywhere in his contentment.

I was sitting in the library Tuesday night (yes, we have a library because I have a million books, all of which my children will someday be required to sort through and pack up since I cannot bring myself to do anything but add to the collection . . . unless they follow my suggestion to take what th...

24/01/2024

Clarence Harold Linam was the beloved son of Cecil Hardin and Roxie Miller Linam. At the time of his birth Cecil was 33; Roxie was 21. Clarence’s birth seemed to complete their little family, his sister Jo Ann having arrived two years earlier. Sadly, at the age of seven months and eleven days, Clarence contracted the flu, an illness he could not overcome. He died on December 28th and the following day, R. E. Shackelford accompanied his grieving parents to Mount Hermon Cemetery where they buried their son. The inscription on his monument reads “A little time on earth he spent, til God for him His angel sent”.

22/01/2024

Diane Powell was a wife, a mother, and a grandmother. A friend to so many and a co-worker to a lucky few. A strong, independent woman with a wonderful sense of humor and a heart of gold who faithfully served her Lord and her fellow man. Being the wife of a funeral director - our own Gary Powell in Savannah - she was also a part of our extended work family. She fully supported him in what is a difficult and at times trying profession, willingly sharing him with the families he assisted because she believed in the importance of his work. With her passing this Saturday, January 20th, we are now called upon to serve one of our own as he embarks upon a journey so many of you have already begun. Please remember Gary, his daughter Amber and her husband Nick, and their precious Alexis in the days ahead.