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Rex and Helen Jeffers founded Jeffers Mortuary in October of 1959 in the old Allen Home at the corner of College and Church Street, where Town Hall stands today. Rex purchased the present day funeral home at an auction in 1962. The building was finished in 1880 by M. P. Reeve, and had two private owners. The city of Greeneville purchased the home and built additions on to the original home for a school named Eastside, which was a school for 30 years. It was also a teen recreation center, golden gloves boxing, and many other things. The building was empty for some time and the city condemned the building. After Rex purchased the property, it took 26 months to restore the home into the present day funeral home. Jeffers Mortuary held its open house on September 19th and 20th of 1964. Rex ran the business with the help of his wife, Helen, who did the bookkeeping and secretary work when she wasn't teaching school for 30 years. Rex and Helen lived upstairs at the funeral home for 28 years with their two children, Richard and Sharon.

The Jeffers Family has been in Greene County for over 200 years. They are from Baileyton, TN, when it was called Laurel Gap. Rex's father, Dr. Ed Jeffers, and grandfather, Dr. Lowery Jeffers, were country doctors in the Baileyton and Rheatown areas. They served the people of Greene County as the current generation of Jeffers serves their families who trust them with their loved one's funeral services.

Today, Rex is 90 years old, but still comes in to the funeral home every morning to make sure everything is to his specifications. he also works an occasional visitation and funeral. The day to day operations have been handed over to his only son Richard Jeffers, with two of Rex's grandsons, Justin Jeffers, who is Richard's youngest son, and Russ Hackett, who is Rex's only daughter's son, assisting the day to day operation. Jeffers Mortuary has always been a family business, and will stay that way for many years to come.


Rex Jeffers, Founder/Owner
Rex Jeffers graduated from Chuckey High School in 1937. He received his funeral directing and embalming license from Gupton Jones College of Mortuary Science in 1939. Mr. Jeffers is a former board member of the Tennessee Funeral Directors Association. He is a member of the Shriners, Scottish Right, Masons, and the Kiwanis Club. He and Helen are members at Trinity United Methodist Church and have two children, Richard and Sharon, six grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.
Richard Jeffers, Owner/Manager
Richard Jeffers graduated from Greeneville High School in 1963. He received his funeral directing and embalming license from John A. Gupton Mortuary Science School in 1965. Mr. Jeffers is past president of the Tennessee Funeral Directors Association, the Greene County Fair Board, the Greeneville/Greene County Chamber of Commerce, the Tennessee Monument Builders, the YMCA board, the Optimist Club, and is a member of the Exchange Club and the Cemetery Association of Tennessee. He and his wife Sharon are members of Asbury United Methodist Church , live in the Glendale Community, and have four sons, Brian, Dan, Neil, and Justin. They also have two grandchildren.
Russ Hackett, Funeral Director & Embalmer
Russ Hackett is a 1992 graduate of Greeneville High School. He received his funeral director and embalming license in 1997 from Jefferson State Community College in Birmingham, Alabama. Mr. Hackett is also a licensed insurance and preneed counselor. He is past president of the Upper East Tennessee Funeral Directors Association. He and his wife Kim are members of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church and live in the Babbs Mill community with their two sons, Russell and Riley.
Wendell Moore, Funeral Director & Embalmer
Wendell Moore is a 1960 graduate of Isaac Litton High School in Nashville. He received his Funeral Directing and Embalming License in 1975 from Kentucky School of Mortuary Science. Mr. Moore is a former secretary and treasurer of the Upper East Tennessee Funeral Directors Association and a member of the Morning Rotary Club. He and his wife Jo Ella live in Greeneville and have two children, Wendy and David.
Justin Jeffers, Funeral Director & Embalmer Apprentice
Justin Jeffers is a 2000 graduate of Greeneville High School and a 2004 graduate of Tusculum College where he earned his degree in Business Administration. He is a member of Asbury United Methodist Church and lives in Greeneville.
T.R.Ward, Funeral Director and Embalmer Apprentice
T.R. Ward is 2005 graduate of Daniel Boone High School. T.R. joined the Jeffers staff in February of 2006. He is originally from Greeneville and currently lives in the Fall Branch community.
Karen Noel, Accounting
Karen Noel has been with Jeffers Mortuary since 1992. She is a graduate of Greeneville High School and East Tennessee State University. She and her husband Rick live in the Sunnyside community with their two children Christy and Matt and are members of Towering Oaks Baptist Church.
Sharon Hill, Secretary
Sharon Hill is a 1966 graduate of Greeneville High School. She is a member of the Andrew Johnson Club, the West Side Garden Club, Daughters of the American Revolution, and a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. Sharon and her husband Warren are owners of Tree Haven Bonsai and live off the Newport Highway.