Our History
In 1923, Paul Cook, an 11 year old farm boy from Grant County, Kentucky, moved to Bristol, Tennessee, to live with his uncle, J. W. Huff and the Huff family, in their apartment above the new Huff and Campbell Funeral Home at 101 Pennsylvania Avenue. He arrived just in time to help move the firm from the old "undertaking parlor" on State Street to the new building, claimed to be the largest and most modern funeral home facility in the entire area. Paul Cook followed his uncle in the funeral service profession and went on to serve Bristol and the surrounding area as a funeral director and embalmer for more than fifty years. The Pennsylvania Avenue location was operated as Huff and Campbell Funeral Home.
J. W. Huff Funeral Service, Huff-Cook Funeral Home, and Paul Cook Funeral Home, when Paul Cook purchased the Huff family interest in the firm in 1942.
Sid Oakley began working at Paul Cook Funeral Home in 1960 when he was 13 years old. He purchased the funeral home on November 1, 1978, and he and Paul Cook managed the firm together until Mr. Cook‘s death on January 5, 1981. In July of 1981, Sid purchased a building and 1-1/2 acres of land on Volunteer Parkway in Bristol, totally renovated the property, and opened Oakley-Cook Funeral Home in January of 1982. The Pennsylvania Avenue firm was closed in March of that year. In 1988 Oakley-Cook became part of Heritage Family Funeral Services.
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Brent Buchanan Manager and Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer
Brent Buchanan is the Manager of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home. He is proud to continue the tradition, community values, and integrity that Oakley-Cook Funeral Home has been built on. Brent will continue to provide the service and compassion that you have come to expect. He is a Bristol native and resident; and graduate of Sullivan East High School. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from East Tennessee State University and is a graduate of John Tyler Community College where he obtained his Mortuary Science degree. He is a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in the state of Tennessee. He is a member of the Bristol Chapter of the Kiwanis Club.
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Sid Oakley Retired Funeral Director
Sid Oakley founded Oakley-Cook Funeral Home in 1982 and was a co-founder of Heritage Family Funeral Services, Inc and Heritage Family Cemeteries, Inc. He retired from funeral service and from the boards of Heritage Family Funeral Services and Heritage Family Cemeteries in May of 2011 during the fiftieth anniversary year of his employment with the former Paul Cook Funeral Home of Bristol.
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Anthony Harris Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer
Anthony is a native of Chilhowie, Virginia and currently lives in Bristol, Tennessee. Anthony is a graduate of Chilhowie High School, attended the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, and graduated from John Tyler Community College in Richmond, Virginia, with an Associate Degree in Applied Science with a major in Funeral Service and with Magna Cum Laude Honors. He is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Anthony joined the Oakley-Cook Funeral Home staff in 2015. Anthony is an ordained minister, a VHSL & TSSAA high school basketball official, an avid Virginia Tech football fan, and Hokie Club Member. Anthony is married to the former Sarah McCracken and they have a little girl named Lyleigh Ann. Anthony and his family attend South Bristol United Methodist Church. "I look at funeral business as a ministry and one that God called me too many years ago. I look forward to serving the families of Bristol and the surrounding Tri-Cities area."
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Jonathan Cross Funeral Director Apprentice
Jonathan Robert Lee Cross, born November 5, 1996, is a lifelong resident of Bristol, TN. He graduated from Sullivan East High School and goes to Belle Meadows Baptist Church. He is married to Hannah Cross, whom he met at church years ago. Jonathan states that he wants to have a career where he helps people in their time of need, and feels that this job is where God’s led him. Jonathan spends his free time at home, going out with his wife, and helping out his family in any way possible.
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Nikki Boothe Administrative Assistant
Nikki Boothe was born and raised in Bristol, Virginia and is a graduate of Virginia High School. She attended Virginia Highlands Community College and East Tennessee State University. She began working at Oakley-Cook Funeral Home in 2013. Nikki has two sons, Chandler and Ethan. In her free time she enjoys attending her childrens’ sporting and school events, spending time with family and friends, college football, camping and reading. She is a member of Fellowship Chapel in Bristol, Virginia.
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Bryan L Buchanan Funeral Assistant
Bryan Buchanan was born and raised in Bristol, Tennessee. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from East Tennessee State University and a Master of Education from Milligan College. He currently teaches 8th grade Science at Holston Valley Middle School in Bristol, Tennessee. Bryan and his wife Cheryl are the parents of one son, Garrison. They are members of Indian Springs Baptist Church Hill Road Campus where he serves as a Deacon and teaches the K through 2nd Grade Sunday School Class.
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Craig L Widner Funeral Assistant
Craig Widner was born and raised in Bristol, Virginia. He is a graduate of Virginia High School and Tusculum College. He began working at Oakley-Cook Funeral Home in 2015. Craig has one daughter. He enjoys fishing, golfing and UT football. Craig is a certified NRA pistol instructor and teaches concealed carry classes in Bristol, Virginia. He is also the owner of Grip Outdoor, LLC, a multi-locational outdoor outfitter.
