Roger Nelson,
early on, seemed to be destined to be in the funeral home business.
The youngest of six siblings, Roger was given his name from one
chosen from a tombstone in a cemetery by his older sisters.
"I suppose this is my destiny," Nelson said, "seeing how my sisters
arrived at naming me."
Nelson, Floyd County Coroner, began the business in 1971. He credits
Bill Calihan and Larry Burke as being his mentors. The funeral
home's motto, "Our family caring for your family," rings true in
every sense of the words. For "family" can be seen in nearly every
room and aspect of the business.
"Holding steadfast to family traditions, like we're use to here in
the mountains," Nelson says, contributes to his growing and
continually exp-anding funeral home business.
Both Nelson and his wife, Sandy, are funeral directors. "I never
dreamed I'd be in this bus-iness," Sandy said. "But when we lost our
first child, a daughter, I wanted to be able to help peo-ple in
their time of loss, like I had experienced," she continued.
Both sons, Gregory Scott and Roger Gene Nelson II, are also now
licensed funeral directors, and embalmers. And the business family
tree doesn't end there.
Daughter, Christina, has also
joined the
OUR FAMILY CARING FOR YOUR FAMILY
Nelson-Frazier family business working in the
business end.
Roger Nelson shared some of the changes
that he has encountered through the years. "When we first started in
the business, we had 58 services - that was in 1986. Last year,
there were 379 services. People used to take their family members
back to their homes, or to their church in the past. Funeral homes
are now used more today for funeral services." He explained.
The Nelson-Frazier Funeral Home originally
began in a two-story building that quickly grew to its newer and
more enlarged Martin location found today. And, not only the city of
Martin but that of Hindman, also, are now other locations for the
family owned and operated business. Additionally, another expansion
to the family business is the Nelson Monument Company.
The Nelsons are quick to give praise to
their extended staff which includes: Chuck Hall, Amy Campbell,
Debbie Frazier, Jeremiah Swiger, Ballard Jones, Debbie Prater, Willa
Dean Combs, Bonnie Reynolds, Kennith Gayheart, Jimmy
Smith, Kermit Short, Larry Burke, Roger Rowe, Betsy Frazier, Sandra Baldridge, and Corey Watson.
In your time of need, Nelson-Frazier
Funeral Home truly can be found to be a neighboring and sympathetic
"Family Caring for your Family"!
