Fred is a fourth-generation funeral director, serving the Knoxville community since the early 1980s. After graduating from Doyle High School, Fred earned a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Tennessee and an associate degree from John A. Gupton Mortuary College in Nashville.

Distinguished in the field, Fred was appointed by Gov. Bill Lee in February 2020 to serve a four-year term on the Tennessee Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers. In addition to leading our team, he is also a funeral director with LHT Consulting Group, which specializes in providing funeral and memorial consulting, comprehensive event planning, and services that celebrate the lives and legacies of distinguished individuals. Fred has had the honor of caring for the families of several religious and political leaders, including a former U.S. president.

Fred is also deeply involved in the community. A member of the Kiwanis Club of Knoxville, he has served as the group’s Key Club advisor and on its board of directors. He served several years on the Knoxville Metropolitan Planning Commission, both as a commissioner and chairman. For several years, Fred sat on the Governmental Affairs Committee for the Tennessee Funeral Directors Association; he is currently secretary/ treasurer of the Cemetery Association of Tennessee. He is also a member of the Knoxville Center for the Deaf board of directors.

Fred and his wife married in 1987. They have three sons, two daughters-in-law and three precious grandchildren. In his spare time, Fred loves to run, bike, garden and travel. He is a member of Northstar Church – South Campus.

Jeffrey is a fourth-generation funeral director and embalmer with a family history of funeral service spanning more than a century. Jeff has been a funeral director at Berry Funeral Home since 1987 and is currently general manager for Berry Funeral Home, Berry Highland South, McCarty Evergreen Funeral Home and Weaver Funeral Home.

Since its beginning in 2011, Jeff has been chairman of Knoxville’s Dignity Memorial ® Homeless Veteran Burial Program, which has cared for more than 50 homeless veterans. He is a trainer in the Knoxville market for interment verification and is certified by the Hospice Foundation of America to instruct two continuing education classes on customs, rituals and demystifying the funeral experience.

Jeff has a passion for veterans, and his community involvement includes serving as a board member for the East Tennessee Veterans Memorial Association and member of the East Tennessee Military Affairs Council. He has researched, collected and submitted photos of East Tennessee Vietnam soldiers memorialized on the Vietnam Veterans Wall in Washington, D.C. He has been awarded certificates of recognition from the American Legion and the Scottish American Military Society for his work with the veterans community in Knoxville.

A 1991 graduate of the University of Tennessee-Knoxville with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a 1994 graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Decatur, Georgia, with an associate degree in funeral service, Jeff supports his other alma mater, South Doyle High School, by organizing workdays to improve school grounds..

Archie Thomas Buchanan is the location manager for Berry Funeral Home in Knoxville, Tennessee, where he has served since 1997. Archie's original career path was in the coal mines of Eastern and Western Kentucky and also Southern Illinois. After deciding to change careers, he graduated from Southern Illinois University Mortuary School and began his work as a funeral director and embalmer.

Archie has been married since the 1970s and has 3 children, 4 grandsons and 1 great-grandson. He also has a precious and beloved dog named Baxter. In his free time Archie loves to ride his bicycle and encourages others to bike for their health.

Michael Ward, licensed funeral director and embalmer, has been with Berry Funeral Home since the late 1970s. He grew up in the Fountain City community, graduated from Central High School and later attended Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science.

Mike believes the most rewarding part of funeral service is assisting families in planning a personal and meaningful service to give honor to their loved one.

Mike and his wife have lived in the Corryton community since the late 1990s and are members of Fairview Baptist Church. In his spare time Mike enjoys working in the yard and around the house and just spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Kate graduated from John A. Gupton Mortuary College in 2012 and began her journey as a family service counselor in Nashville, Tennessee. Her original career path was in the medical field in Middle Tennessee, but after experiencing a significant loss of her own, she found her calling. She transitioned to Knoxville in 2014 and is currently serving as a funeral director at Berry Highland South Funeral Home. Kate is a certified interment verification trainer in the Knoxville market and is proud to be part of the Dignity Memorial team. When Kate is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and son.

Donna serves as a part-time funeral director after retiring from 20 years of service as the office manager. In October 2017 she celebrated 25 years with the company. Donna is enjoying her new position and, when asked of her career, says, "It has been quite a journey!"

Jayme began working in the funeral industry in Kentucky when she was only 16 years old. It was during this time she realized her lifelong pursuit would be to help families through the worst time of their lives. Jayme carried this passion with her to Mid-America College of Funeral Service and throughout her career. After college, Jayme served her apprenticeship in Crossville, Tennessee, where she lived in the funeral home. In early 1998, Jayme was transferred to Knoxville and is now the location manager at Berry Highland Memorial. She continues to assist families every day and believes in a family centered approach. She is a duel licensed funeral director and embalmer, but her passion is still helping "her families". Jayme transforms her location into whatever meets the needs and wishes of the families she serves. She is the first to say, this is not just a job or even a passion; it's a ministry. Jayme is married to Danny Beeler and has 3 stepdaughters Leigha, Lori and Leslie, 5 grandchildren and 2 nieces.

Born and raised in Blount County, Joel graduated from William Blount High School and American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service. He worked in graphic design in the automobile industry for 20 years prior to becoming a funeral director/embalmer. When a close friend passed away in 2015, Joel decided to pursue a career in funeral service as a way to honor his friend and help others.

Joel is a lifelong musician and loves spending time with his wife and their daughter. They live in Louisville with their four dogs and a cat.

Tom became a member of our team in 1991, when he started working in the sales department. Since 2004, he’s been general manager over several funeral homes in the Knoxville area. As a leader, Tom brings a range of experience to the job of overseeing our staff, grounds, sales and services. He and every one of our associates are committed to meeting the needs of each family we serve, providing care, compassion and attention to detail in everything they do.

Tom and his wife have been married 33 years. They have a daughter and a son-in-law. Tom is also the music minister at Highland Park Baptist Church in Lenoir City.

Kelly has served families in the Knoxville area for 33 years, wearing many hats. As customer service director, community relations representative, LIFT director, grief support and aftercare director, and decorator, she’s devoted her life to caring for those who’ve lost loved ones. A member of the board of directors of Bereavement Services of East Tennessee, Kelly also works with hospice chaplains, social workers and other grief counselors to bring support and knowledge to people in Knoxville and surrounding communities.

A 1986 graduate of the University of Tennessee with a bachelor’s degree in sociology, Kelly married Fred in 1987 and has worked alongside him ever since. They have been blessed with three sons, two daughters-in-law, two sweet grandsons, one precious granddaughter, a little dog and lots of granddogs. She loves to meet new people, exercise, read, explore and travel, travel, travel.