History & Staff
We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.
When we sit down with a family, we have just one goal: to create a fitting, memorable and affordable service for their loved one. Together, we explore the wide variety of services and products available, as well as a wealth of creative ideas and suggestions.
Together, we'll design a memorial or funeral service that suits their needs now, and in the future. Families who come to us know that years from now, they will have deep peace-of-mind because in coming to us, they've done their best to honor their loved one.
Our History
On 1923, a group of local investors built a building on Moore Street in Bristol, Virginia and founded Bristol Funeral Home, Inc. On April 1, 1928, Les Blevins and J. B. Akard, pioneer undertakers associated with the undertaking department of a local furniture company, purchased the business and changed the name to Blevins-Akard Funeral Home, Inc.
When the Akards left Blevins-Akard to start their own firm in 1933, Les Blevins changed the name of the firm to Blevins Funeral Home and continued to operate from the Moore Street location for the next 20 years. In 1953, Blevins was forced to find a new location quickly because the building's owners wanted to demolish it to expand a business next door. Following a hasty search, Blevins purchased a former residence at 417 Lee Street, about four blocks from the original location.
In 1964, Charles Copenhaver, R. E. Smith, and C. J. Trinkle, all employees of Blevins Funeral Home, purchased the firm from the Blevins family and began planning for the construction of a new building behind the present building. In October of 1965, they moved the funeral home into the new location and demolished the old building for parking. In 1988, Blevins became part of Heritage Family Funeral Services.
Our Valued Staff
Adam Hurd, Manager/Funeral Director & Embalmer
Adam is a licensed funeral director and embalmer and is the manager of Blevins Funeral and Cremation Services. He is a native of Blackwater, Virginia, and is a graduate of Rye Cove High School and of the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. He is a member of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce and the Bristol Kiwanis Club. He and his wife, Kirby and their children, Jacob and Ella, attend Bluff City Baptist Church.
Brent Buchanan, Funeral Assistant
Brent is a funeral assistant at Blevins Funeral and Cremation Services. He is a Bristol native and resident and a graduate of Sullivan East High School. He holds a BS from East Tennessee State University and is working towards his Funeral Director and Embalming licenses. He is a member of the Bristol Chapter of the Kiwanis Club.
Ken Tester, Funeral Assistant
Kenneth Tester, a lifelong resident of Bristol, is an Assistant Funeral Director. He is treasurer of the Virginia Chapter of the Post Q of the Travelers Protective Association, a member of the Gideons, and a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He and his wife Martha are members of Fellowship Chapel.
Ralph Bible, Funeral Assistant
Ralph is a funeral director apprentice at Oakley-Cook Funeral Home and serves as an assistant at Blevins Funeral and Cremation Services. Ralph has been a resident of the Tri-Cities area since 1968. He and his family are members of Faith Lutheran Church in Bristol, Tennessee, where he serves on the church council.
Ed Reed, Funeral Assistant
Ed is a funeral assistant at Blevins Funeral and Cremation Services. He is a lifelong resident of Bristol, Tennessee. He and his wife Jean are members of Addilynn Memorial United Methodist Church.
Amelia Smith, Administrative Assistant
Amelia is an administrative assistant at Blevins Funeral and Cremation Services. She is a native of Marietta, GA where she graduated from Osborne High School and Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service. Amelia has been a resident of Johnson City since 2010.