Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home

Reins-Sturdivant - 1940

Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland, North Carolina was founded as Hughes Funeral Home in 1946 by Ronald Hughes. Hughes Funeral Home served Avery County for several years providing funeral service and ambulance service. Mr. Hughes later sold the firm to the Reins-Sturdivant group based in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina.

The Reins-Sturdivant organization was a pioneer in the multi-location funeral home business, having six locations in both North Carolina and Virginia. (At one time, Reins-Sturdivant had funeral homes in West Jefferson, Sparta, Newland, and North Wilkesboro in North Carolina, and in Independence, Virginia.) William "Bill" Laughridge was named manager of the Newland location in the late 1940s.

Reins-Sturdivant - 1960

In the early 1950's, William "Bill" Laughridge purchased the business from the Reins-Sturdivant group. Mr. Laughridge continued to provide ambulance service and funeral service at the same location for many years. In 1967 the Avery County Rescue Squad was founded and thus ended the ambulance service provided by Reins-Sturdivant. In 1971, a major expansion project resulted in the addition of an air-conditioned chapel/stateroom combination. The new addition was built adjoining the original building on a vacant lot owned by Mr. Laughridge. The new chapel could be divided into two separated rooms for the convenience of the families and to allow the firm to offer two separate visitation areas at one time. Later, a new front lobby was built at the front of the building.

Reins-Sturdivant - 1980

In 1982, Mr. Laughridge sold the firm to Roger Church, James Beckman, and Hoyle Gunter. In 1983, the building was completely renovated with new furnishings and carpet. The chapel was enlarged to offer more space during visitations and funerals.

In 1989, a new building was built on Ash Street in Newland, less than two blocks from the original location. The new building offered more room for visitations and a separate chapel.

Reins-Sturdivant - 2007

One of the most needed features of the new location was the parking. When the business was located on Main Street, it was allocated only six parking spaces by the town. The new location has more than 90 parking spaces. Also available is the parking lot of the shopping center next door.