GOING BACK IN TIME

Our History

Our Beginnings

DeLoach-McKerley-Prescott Funeral Home & Cremation Service marked its 74th anniversary on February 1, 2015, and continues to live up to its motto, "Commitment to service and professional team work, serving the families of Burke and surrounding counties."

For nearly 25 years, C. W. Hopper and G. Pratt DeLoach operated their funeral home at the Masonic Temple on South Liberty Street. Mr. Hopper and Mr. DeLoach worked for G. A. Lewis in Lewis Funeral Home prior to beginning their business in 1941.

When they began the partnership, they organized an insurance firm, United Family Life Insurance Company, with Mr. DeLoach as general agent. Mr. DeLoach’s wife, the former Miss Mildred Hayman of Pembroke, opened the Rose Shoppe Florist.

In 1965, the business moved to the "Skinner House," at 842 North Liberty Street.

In 1968, Mr. Hopper retired and sold his share to Mr. DeLoach, and George DeLoach joined his father’s business as vice-president.

Mr. G. Pratt DeLoach died in July, 1997 and his wife continued as a floral consultant and treasurer of the corporation for several years. Mrs. DeLoach died in June of 2008.

Craig Kennedy, of Sardis, worked with DeLoach Funeral Home for many years. In 1994, he became the General Manager and then was named Vice-President following Mr. Pratt’s death in 1997. Mr. Kennedy retired in April of 2006.

In 2000, George DeLoach decided to pursue a political career and sold the business to Meridian Mortuary Group of Atlanta, GA. In April of 2006, Jason McKerley, moved to Waynesboro to manage the funeral home. After working five years in Savannah in the funeral profession, Jason wanted to get back to a small town atmosphere in which he was raised (Williston, SC).

On November 21, 2007 the business was purchased by Greg Rollings (Peachtree City, GA.), and his wife, Debbie.

In November of 2009, Jason McKerley, along with his wife, Laura Vickrey McKerley, became owners in the business. In April of 2015, Jason, Laura, and Val Prescott believed the community of Waynesboro and the surrounding areas would be better served by only one funeral home in town. That's when they decided to join together to form DeLoach-McKerley-Prescott Funeral Home and Cremation Service (220 East 6th Street). They also believed that moving into one building that was newer and more efficient would be of better service. Even though the elegance and charm of the old building remains in our memories, we can now better serve our community.