Finding a specific name in the Coulter Garrison funeral home obituaries shouldn't feel like a chore, but honestly, if you’re looking for a relative from 1925 or just trying to figure out when a viewing starts this week, the process is a little different than it used to be. Most people think they can just hit a search engine and the exact details will pop up in a neat little box.
That's not always how it goes.
If you’re in Dayton, Tennessee, or have roots there, the name Coulter-Garrison carries a heavy weight. It’s one of those places that has been around longer than most of the people currently living in Rhea County. We're talking about a business that handled the funeral of William Jennings Bryan after the Scopes Monkey Trial. That is some serious history.
The Real Way to Find Recent Notices
Right now, if you are looking for someone like Pamela Ann Higdon or Jennifer Louise Sherrill, you need to know that the digital trail moves fast. For instance, Pamela Higdon passed away very recently—January 15, 2026—and her family opted for a private viewing with no public services.
That kind of detail matters. You don't want to show up at 1670 Market Street expecting a service that isn't happening.
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The most reliable spot for the current Coulter Garrison funeral home obituaries is their official website. They use a system that lets you:
- Sign up for email alerts (handy if you're away but want to keep tabs on the community).
- Send flowers directly from the obituary page.
- Post to a "Tribute Wall," which is basically a digital guestbook.
Don't just rely on Facebook. While the funeral home does post there, the most accurate, line-by-line details—like whether a "friends and family registry" is available or if there's a specific graveside dove release planned—are on the main site.
Why the History Changes How You Search
You've gotta understand the "Garrison" and "Coulter" connection to find the older stuff. This place wasn't always one single building. Back in 1897, R.J. Coulter started the whole thing. Then you had the Williamson family get involved, and then James Felix Garrison (everyone just called him Felix) married into the family.
For a while, it was Coulter Garrison Green. Then Sawyers was in the name for a hot minute.
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If you're doing genealogy and searching for "Coulter Garrison funeral home obituaries" from the 1960s or 70s, you might actually find them under just Garrison Funeral Home or even Coulter Funeral Home. This is a common trip-up. If the search isn't working, drop one of the names and try again.
What People Actually Get Wrong
The biggest misconception? That every obituary is "public."
Sometimes families choose to keep things private. For example, Jennifer Sherrill, who passed away on January 14, 2026, at just 41 years old, had her arrangements listed as "incomplete" for a short period. This is normal. It's a stressful time. If you don't see a time or location immediately, it usually means the sisters—Barbara Garrison and Jane Garrison Murphy, who still run the place—are working with the family to get things right.
Also, people often confuse this location with others in Chattanooga or Soddy Daisy. While there are family ties to places like Williamson & Sons or Legacy Funeral Home, the Market Street location in Dayton is its own entity.
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How to Navigate a Service There
If you’ve found an obituary and you’re actually heading to the funeral home, here is the lay of the land.
The building is a converted home. It’s got that classic, brick architecture that makes you feel a bit more at ease than those sterile, modern buildings. After a fire in 2010, they did some major renovations. It’s got a large entryway and a chapel now, plus a kitchen area for families.
Pro Tip: If the obituary mentions Smith-Wilkey Cemetery or Sentinel Heights, be prepared for a bit of a drive. Dayton is beautiful, but the cemeteries are spread out.
Actionable Steps for Your Search
If you are looking for information right now, do this:
- Check the Official "Obituaries" Tab: Skip the third-party aggregators if the death was in the last 48 hours. The funeral home's own site updates first.
- Look for the Maiden Name: In Rhea County, everyone knows everyone. Often the obituary will list the mother's maiden name or the spouse's family. This is huge for verifying you've got the right person.
- Call them directly: Honestly, (423) 775-2444 is the number. If you're confused about a service time or need to know where to send a memorial gift, just call. They are staffed 24/7.
- Check The Herald-News: For older local records or a different perspective on the "Coulter Garrison funeral home obituaries," this local paper is the gold standard for archives in the area.
Searching for a loved one is never easy. Whether you're looking for a recent neighbor like Clyde William Fitzgerald or digging into the deep history of the Coulter family, taking a moment to understand the local Dayton roots makes the process a lot less frustrating.