Martin / Kentucky / United States
Roger Nelson, early on, seemed to be destined to be in the funeral home business. The youngest of six siblings, Roger was given his name from one chosen from a tombstone in a cemetery by his older sisters. Nelson, Floyd County Coroner, began the business in 1971. He credits Bill Calihan and Larry Burke as being his mentors. The funeral homes motto, "Our family caring for your family, " rings true in every sense of the words. For "family" can be seen in nearly every room and aspect of the business. "Holding steadfast to family traditions, like were use to here in the mountains, " Nelson says, contributes to his growing and continually exp-anding funeral home business. Both Nelson and his wife, Sandy, are funeral directors. "I never dreamed Id be in this bus-iness, " Sandy said. "But when we lost our first child, a daughter, I wanted to be able to help peo-ple in their time of loss, like I had experienced, " she continued. Both sons, Gregory Scott and Roger Gene Nelson II, are also now licensed funeral directors, and embalmers. And the business family tree doesnt end there. Roger Nelson shared some of the changes that he has encountered through the years. "When we first started in the business, we had 58 services - that was in 1986. Last year, there were 379 services. People used to take their family members back to their homes, or to their church in the past. Funeral homes are now used more today for funeral services." He explained. The Nelson-Frazier Funeral Home originally began in a two-story building that quickly grew to its newer and more enlarged Martin location found today. And, not only the city of Martin but that of Hindman, also, are now other locations for the family owned and operated business. Additionally, another expansion to the family business is Nelson Monument Company. The Nelsons are quick to give praise to their extended staff which includes: Chuck Hall, Amy Campbell, Debbie Frazier, Jeremiah Swiger, Ballard Jones, Debbie Prater, Willa Dean Combs, Bonnie Reynolds, Kennith Gayheart, Jimmy Smith, Kermit Short, Larry Burke, Roger Rowe, Betsy Frazier, Sandra Baldridge, and Corey Watson. In your time of need, Nelson-Frazier Funeral Home truly can be found to be a neighboring and sympathetic "Family Caring for your Family"!
