McWilliams Family Funeral Home in Gallatin, owned by David and Deanna McWilliams for the past 19 years, was recently sold to a Polo couple. Kyle and Erin Stith purchased the funeral homes located at Gallatin and Jamesport and officially took over the reins on Jan. 1, 2019.
Kyle and Erin Stith purchased the McWilliams Funeral Home facilities located at Gallatin and Jamesport in 2019.
“We are grateful to David and Deanna for making the transition a smooth one,” says Kyle. “They opened up the funeral home to us before they left so that we could meet everyone.”
Both Kyle and Erin have family connections to the area. Kyle was born in Lathrop and grew up on a farm outside of Polo. He is a 2009 graduate of Polo High School. He worked for Bailey & Cox Family Funeral Service prior to receiving his funeral director’s license in 2015. He purchased the former Bailey & Cox funeral homes in Lathrop and Polo that same year.
Erin was born and raised on a farm outside of Odessa and graduated from Odessa High School. She later attended the police academy and served on the Cameron Police Department for 15 years. She and Kyle were married in 2016 and she obtained her funeral director’s license in 2018.
Both will serve as full-time funeral directors in the communities they serve.
“We’ll both be handling day-to-day operations, meeting families and conducting services,” Kyle says.
The couple says their biggest role will be following after David and Deanna McWilliams and the special role they played in the community. Though the faces have changed, the commitment to caring for people at the most difficult time in their lives will stay the same.
“We’ll have big shoes to fill, but we share the same goal of offering a beautiful and respectful service,” says Erin. “We’re thankful for the opportunity to carry on those small hometown traditions established by the McWilliamses.”
Stith Funeral Home will offer a full line of funeral, memorial, burial or cremation services with many options available and monument sales through Anderson Monuments in Chillicothe. Modern technology helps make each funeral unique through slide shows, online obituary postings, and the opportunity to offer condolences through the website.
Visit the website at www.stithfamilyfunerals.com to find out about veteran and social security benefits and pre-arrangements. You might prefer to call at 663-2117 in Gallatin or 684-6133 in Jamesport.
The couple would encourage people to make end-of-life decisions before the time comes.
“It’s important to have plans and wishes on paper,” Kyle says. “Knowing eases the stress on family members.”
The Stiths say they have received a warm welcome from Gallatin and Jamesport both.
“We’re excited to be here,” says Erin. “Everyone has been very supportive. We look forward to getting to know everyone. I’m looking forward to watching the community plays at the Gallatin Theater League.”
Kyle says Stith Funeral Homes have always had a strong connection to the communities they serve. They plan to be as helpful and active as they can in the community through Rotary, various church functions and other civic organizations and events.
“Our focus is on caring and compassionate service that families can trust,” Kyle says. “We’ll offer small hometown service in a busy world.”
