Staff

Roger Church
Co-Manager
Roger is native of Carter County Tennessee, and has been involved in funeral service since 1969. He is a US Army Veteran having served during the Vietnam War. He is a 1972 graduate of the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and Steed School of Business, graduating in 1978 with a degree in Management. Roger is retired from the Newland Volunteer Fire Department and is a member and former deacon of the Newland First Baptist Church. Roger is married to the former Betty Buchanan, and they have two children, and three grandchildren. Roger@rsfh.net

Garrick Smith
Co-Manager
Garrick is a native of Avery County and has been associated with the firm since 1988. He holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Lees-McRae College, and graduated from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Atlanta in 1994. He is married to Carol Jones Smith and they reside in Banner Elk. He has two step children, Tyne and Tyler Phillips and a granddaughter, Irelyn Grace. He attends Crossnore first Baptist Church. Garrick is an Eagle Scout and is currently serving the Banner Elk Scout Troop as Scoutmaster. He serves as a member of the Executive Board of the Daniel Boone Council of the Boy Scouts of America and was appointed Chairman of Boy Scouting for Western North Carolina in 2005, and also serves as Chairman of the Council Awards Selection Committee. Garrick is a Vigil Honor Member of Tsali Lodge #134 of the Order of the Arrow, and was honored with the Founders Award in 2009. He serves on the Board of Directors for the High Country Care Givers Foundation. Garrick may be contacted anytime at garrick@rsfh.net

Margaret Lusk
Embalmer and Funeral Director Apprentice
Margaret has been working in the funeral industry for five years. She is a life long resident of Avery County, and will soon be a Licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director.

Mindy Sudderth Shook
Administrative Assistant
Mindy is a native of Avery County and has been with the firm since February 2007. She is a 1995 graduate of Avery County High School and a member of Aaron Baptist Church in Montezuma. She is married to Michael Shook and they have three daughters; Kaitlyn, Amberlynn and Alyssa.

Phillip Odom
Funeral Assistant
Phillip is a graduate of Avery High School. He is retired from Baxters in North Cove. He is also a retired member of Linville Fire Volunteer Fire Dept. He is married to Romana Hayes and they have two children and two grandchildren.

Gene Carver
Funeral Assistant
Gene is a native of Avery County and has been associated with the firm since 2003. He is an ordained minister serving at Bethany Baptist Church . Gene and his wife Karen have two daughters Kristie and Kimberly.

Bryan Hughes
Funeral Assistant
Bryan is a native of Avery County and a graduate of Avery County High School. He holds an Associate Degree from Lees-McRae College and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from King College in Bristol, TN. Bryan enjoys the outdoors and currently attends the The Peoples Church of Roaring Creek.

Doyle Shomaker
Funeral Associate
Doyle retired Banner Elk, North Carolina Postmaster, has been associated with the firm since 1993. Doyle and his wife Barbara are members of the Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Banner Elk. They have three children, Eric, Lisa and David