History

Andrew Jack Turpin 1894 - 1991

The Turpin Funeral Home was founded in the early 1890's by W.S. Oldham at the corner of Irvine and Second Streets. Between 1890 and 1929, Turpin Funeral Home had many owners and several different names. In April of 1929, Andrew Jack Turpin bought into the company and added Turpin to the name. Prior to this date the funeral home was named Oldham and Maupin Funeral Home. In 1933, Andrew bought the interest of Maupin and the firm changed the name to Oldham and Turpin.

In 1936, James S. Lackey bought Oldham's interest and the firm was known as Turpin and Lackey. In 1939, the firm finally changed the name to Turpin Funeral Home when Turpin bought the interest of Lackey.

Turpin Ambulance circa. 1960

In June of 1954, the funeral home bought the first air-conditioned ambulance in the county. At the time, there was no county ambulance system. In the 1960's the firm operated four radio dispatched air-conditioned ambulances on 24 hour service.

In the 1980's, Turpin Funeral Home was managed by Billy Joe Turpin, brother of Coleman Turpin, until Billy Joe passed away suddenly. Today, two generations of Turpins help run the business. Coleman Turpin, son of Andrew Jack Turpin and his daughter, Paula Turpin Bowman.