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.
Our History
In the years 1930 and 1931 the Richlands Funeral Company, Inc. of Richlands, Virginia was established with the following stockholders, directors, and officers being duly elected: Roy T. White, M.L. Wagner, L.H. Hunter, J.F. White, Nina F. White, W.A. McGlothlin, and Frank Zeigler. L.H. Hunter was the funeral director and embalmer on staff. John C. Scott joined the business in the early 1930s.
In the early years of business there were three branches of the corporation: one at St. Paul, Virginia(which closed in or around 1937), one at Squire, West Virginia (closing in or around 1940); and one starting in Grundy, Virginia in 1938 (Grundy Funeral Home divided from the corporation in 1974 upon the death of C.W. "Pete" Hurst).
In the year 1938, the business was sold to John C. Scott, licensed funeral director, E.H. "Gene" Hurst, Sr., licensed funeral director and embalmer, and C.W. "Pete" Hurst, licensed funeral director and embalmer. The trade name that is still used to this day, Hurst-Scott Funeral Home, was adopted sometime in the late 1940s while all three of these gentlemen ran the day to day operations of the firm.
The photo at right is a picture taken in front of the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Virginia around 1939. Pictured L to R are C.W. "Pete" Hurst, John C. Scott, Leon Hall(Visiting Casket Salesman), and E.H. Hurst Sr.
In September of 1956, Billie Sue Hurst, wife of E.H. "Gene" Hurst, Sr., became a licensed funeral director for the firm and helped operate the business for the next thirty years. In 1966, E.H. "Gene" Hurst, Jr., joined the business at a licensed funeral director and embalmer and continues to this day as Manager of the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Virginia. Mr. Scott retired from the business in 1970. In 1996, Jeffrey N. Hurst, son of E.H. Hurst, Jr., joined the family business as a licensed funeral director and embalmer.
The funeral home is still in its present location of the 1930s and has been added onto three different times. The first time being in the 1940s; the second time in 1958-1959, when the present day chapel and reception area were built; and in 1978-1979 , when three more parlors, two new restrooms, arrangement conference room, and selection room were added along with a complete renovation of the building.
On October 16, 1988, the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Tazewell, Virginia opened at 630 West Main Street. The building was converted from an existing grocery store to a modern day funeral home. To this day, the business continues to operate at the same location with Chris White as its Manager.
Jeffrey N. Hurst, President and Manager
Jeff has been a licensed funeral director and embalmer in the state of Virginia since 1996. He is a Richlands High School Class of 1989 Graduate, a graduate of James Madison University Class of 1993, and graduated from Gupton Jones College of Funeral Service in 1996. He is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, the Virginia Funeral Directors Association, and the Southwest Virginia Funeral Directors Association.Jeff is happily married to Charity Hurst and he has three children: Bailey, Addison, and Cooper.
Eugene H. Hurst Jr., Funeral Director and Former Manager
Gene has been a licensed funeral director and embalmer in the state of Virginia for over fifty years. He is a Richlands High School Class of 1959 Graduate, a graduate of Emory and Henry College Class of 1963, and graduated from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 1966. He is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, the Virginia Funeral Directors Association, and the Southwest Virginia Funeral Directors Association. In 2016 he was awarded a 50 year plaque for his dedication to the funeral industry. He is a long standing member of the Lions Club, Masons, and the American Legion.He and his wife Martha have three children: Greg Hurst and wife, Diane; Jeff Hurst and wife, Charity; Jill Stump and her husband, Jimmy. They have nine grandchildren: Grayson, Bailey, Sadie, Addison, Nathaniel, Lillee, Raelyn, Cooper and Ivy.
Andrea L. Horn, Funeral Director/Manager
Andrea has been a licensed funeral director and embalmer in Virginia since 2002. She is a Garden High School graduate, Class of 1983, a graduate of Southwest Community College, and a 2002 graduate of The Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, where she served as President of the Delta Gamma PI. Andrea resides in Buchanan County with her husband, Jackie. She has two children, Matthew Horn and Amanda Horn Keen, and a child of the heart, Sarah Sexton Ray. The joy of her life is her three grandsons, Jaxon, Noah, and Tate, and her granddaughter, Ella. She is very active in charity work, enjoys serving in the community, and has attended Oakwood Full Gospel Church for over 35 years. She is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, the Virginia Funeral Directors Association, and the Southwest Virginia Funeral Directors Association.Andrea has served as an elected President of the Southwest Virginia Funeral Directors Association and was honored to serve a one-year term on the State Board of The Virginia Directors Association.
Paul Cook, Assistant Funeral Director
Paul "Slick" Cook is a full time employee with our Richlands office. He is a former Mayor of Richlands, and insurance salesman. He is married to his lovely wife, Bonnie Cook and has three daughters.
Susan Compton, Business Office Administrator
Susan is a graduate of Richlands High School and is a lifetime resident of the area. She is Married to Allen Compton and has a daughter, Whitney.
Riley Cole, Assistant
"RC" Cole is a part time employee for our Richlands office. He lives in Jolo, WV and is married to his lovely wife, Peggy Cole. RC has three daughters, Pam, Linda and Peggy Ann and one son Joshua. He enjoys spending time with his grandchildren and children.
Bonnie Cook, Evening Attendant
Bonnie is the wife of Paul 'Slick' Cook, She has a daughter named Ami and five grandchildren who are the light of her life.