A Tyndall History…….

The year was 1931.  Kirby Tyndall, a Jones County native and an employee of Garner’s Funeral Home in Kinston, came to Mount Olive to start what was to become Tyndall Undertaking Company.   The earliest advertisement in the Mount Olive Tribune was December 17, 1931 announcing the services of K. E. Tyndall, Funeral Directors and Embalmers, operating from a location on the East side of the l00 block of North Center Street, in the vicinity of where Dr. James Lambert’s office is today.   When the business was begun, most funerals were held in the homes of the deceased.  As times changed, more space was needed, and in 1938, the business was moved to 108 West Main Street in what had been the stately home of Mr. R. J. “Bob” Southerland.  Hence, Tyndall Funeral Home became the name. 

Mr. Tyndall passed away in 1949 and after his death, the business was incorporated with his widow, Mrs. Fisher Tyndall, Mr. Jim Glenn, local pharmacist and businessman,  and Mr. Willis B. Honeycutt, a licensed funeral director and embalmer,  becoming principles in the business, with Mr. Honeycutt being managing partner.  Mr. Glenn was vice-president of the firm, Mr. Honeycutt was secretary-treasurer, and Mrs. Tyndall served the company as president. 

In 1964, the firm acquired property on North Church Street extension and built a new, modern facility, the first facility to be built in Mount Olive exclusively for a funeral home.  The facility had approximately 6000 square feet of space, boasted a large chapel with a seating capacity of about 300 people, a private family room, and an upstairs apartment. 

1966 brought the death of Mr. Honeycutt, at which time Norwood Odom assumed the role of manager.  Odom had been associated with Tyndall since 1962.  He and his wife purchased the Honeycutt share of ownership in the business, and following the deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Glenn, they purchased that share of ownership as well.  In 1969, Mrs. Fisher Tyndall Morton retired from the business and her brother, John Thurman Davis and his wife, Ila Mae, obtained her share of the business.   Mr. Davis had been associated with the funeral home for a number of years prior, and he remained with the firm as assistant manager until his retirement in 1979.  Corporate officers during this era were Norwood Odom, president, Thurman Davis, vice-president, and Frances W. Odom as secretary-treasurer.  Mr. Davis passed away in 1984; his son, Johnny, joined the company in 1976 in a full-time capacity.

The year  of 1987 brought about more changes to the corporate structure.  Mr. and Mrs. Norwood Odom sold their interest in the funeral home to Seymour Funeral Home, Inc. of nearby Goldsboro.  John T. “Johnny” Davis, Jr. was named president and manager of the firm; Judith B. Stevens, secretary-treasurer;  and Dwayne Summerlin, vice-president.    In 1988, Tyndall Funeral Home purchased from the Estate of Mr. William Jackson, property adjacent to the funeral home for the purpose of adding a paved parking area.  A major addition to the funeral home complex was begun in 1989 which included two large visitation parlors, a private arrangement office, new lobby and new restrooms, all of which increased the size of the building to about 10, 000 square feet.  A few years later, the casket and vault selection room was revamped to include a new method of the display of merchandise, to include choices for those families who consider cremation.  In 1998, the original part of the building underwent a “face lift” resulting in a cheerful décor to add brightness on a gloomy day to those families the firm proudly serves.  As funeral trends continues to change, Tyndall Funeral Home is ever mindful of current wants and needs and its services continues to implement personalization ideas so that those families who place loved ones into its care will experience what “A Tyndall Service” is all about….meeting needs and serving people….just as it’s done for the past 75 years.    Kirby Tyndall did more in 1931 than just begin a new business….he started a new tradition, and that tradition of excellence, quality, and value continues today.

Current ownership of the firm rests in the hands of the Thurman Davis family and the owners of Seymour Funeral Home, Inc.  Staff members which continue to make Tyndall “The Home of Thoughtful Service” include Johnny Davis as funeral director, manager, and president of the firm; Dwayne Summerlin as funeral director, embalmer, and vice president; Donald Sauls,  assistant to the funeral directors; Ray Odom, part-time associate after a long tenure of full-time service to the company; Ila Mae Davis, hostess and former co-owner; Taylor Whitfield, funeral assistant in pursuit of licensure; the Rev. Paul Rose, funeral assistant who also serves as the funeral home’s chaplain; Judith B. Stevens, preneed funeral counselor and corporate secretary/treasurer.   Acknowledgement is made to the firm’s forefathers and those capable staff members who have assisted through the years to make Tyndall Funeral Home the funeral home of choice for thousands of families from the many surrounding communities which Tyndall proudly serves.