Finding information about someone who has passed away in Washington County usually leads you to one specific place. Dillow Taylor Funeral Home obituaries serve as the primary record for Jonesborough and the surrounding Appalachian communities.
Honestly, losing a loved one is chaotic. You’ve got a million things to do, and checking the "obits" shouldn't be a chore. People often think these records are just for dates and times. They aren't. In a town as historic as Jonesborough, these obituaries are a vital piece of local genealogy and storytelling.
How to Actually Find Recent Dillow Taylor Funeral Home Obituaries
If you’re looking for a specific name right now, the most direct route is their official website. Unlike some big corporate funeral conglomerates, Dillow-Taylor keeps a pretty straightforward digital archive.
You basically go to their site and hit the "Obituaries" tab. It’s updated almost daily. For example, recent postings include names like Molly "Emma Lee" Ferguson and Janice Ayers Moore. The site lists the full text of the obituary, service times, and where the family is receiving friends.
But here is the thing: sometimes the website isn't the first place the info pops up.
Local papers like the Johnson City Press often syndicate these notices. If you can’t find a name on the main funeral home site, checking the local paper’s digital "Obits" section is your best backup plan.
The Real People Behind the Services
It helps to know who you’re dealing with when you’re grieving. This isn’t a faceless business.
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Thomas Weston Howard and Brenda Jones Howard own and operate the home. Tom has been there since 1992. He’s a Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science grad and is deeply involved in the community—he even sings in the choir at Higher Ground Baptist. Then there’s Howard W. Alexander, who represents the third generation of ownership. His grandfather, George Dillow, and great-aunt, Eva Taylor, were the ones who started the whole thing.
This deep-rooted history matters. Why? Because when you read Dillow Taylor Funeral Home obituaries, you aren't just reading a template. You’re seeing a life story curated by people who likely knew the family for decades.
Why the "Online Guestbook" is More Than Just a Nice Gesture
One feature many people skip over is the online guestbook or the "Submit Eulogy" section.
Don’t skip it.
Families in Jonesborough and Telford really do read these. In 2026, digital condolences have become just as meaningful as a physical card. Dillow-Taylor actually reviews these comments before they go live—not to censor you, but to protect the family from spam or anything weird during a sensitive time.
If you want to leave a memory, keep it brief but specific. "He was a good guy" is fine, but "I’ll never forget how he helped me fix my tractor in the middle of a July heatwave" means a lot more to a grieving spouse.
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Misconceptions About Local Obituaries
A common mistake is thinking that if an obituary isn't "live," the service isn't happening.
Sometimes there’s a lag. Writing a life story takes time. Families often struggle to summarize eighty years into five hundred words. If you know someone has passed but the Dillow Taylor Funeral Home obituaries page is blank, give it twenty-four hours.
Also, people often assume flowers are the only way to show support.
Dillow-Taylor actually lists a huge range of local charities for memorial donations. You’ll see mentions for:
- The Washington County Humane Society
- St. Jude’s Research Center
- Summit Leadership Foundation
- Gideons International
Check the bottom of the obituary text. If the family prefers a donation over a bouquet of lilies, it will be noted right there. It’s a way to make sure the deceased’s legacy actually does some good in the world.
Planning and Pre-Planning: The Practical Side
It sounds morbid, but looking at these obituaries often prompts people to think about their own.
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Dillow-Taylor offers pre-planning services that basically let you write your own story ahead of time. It takes the "150 decisions" (that’s a real number funeral directors use) off your family's plate. You can choose between traditional burial or cremation, and even pick out your casket or urn.
Ashley W. Howard, one of the newer funeral directors who joined in 2022, often works with families on these details. The goal is to make the eventual obituary a celebration rather than a last-minute stressor.
Actionable Next Steps for You
If you are currently looking for information or planning a service, here is what you should do:
- Check the Archives: If you're doing genealogy, the Dillow-Taylor website has an "Archives" section that goes back several years. It's a goldmine for Washington County history.
- Verify Service Locations: Jonesborough has several small cemeteries and churches. Don't just assume the service is at the funeral home chapel on West College Street. Read the "Service Details" section of the obituary carefully.
- Sign the Guestbook: Even if you haven't seen the family in years, a short note on the website is a massive comfort.
- Note the Location: The funeral home is at 418 W. College Street, about a mile from the main red light in downtown Jonesborough, right across from the Dairy Bar. If you're coming from Johnson City, it’s a straight shot down 11-E.
The Dillow Taylor Funeral Home obituaries are more than just a list of the deceased. They are a record of the community’s heartbeat. Whether you’re looking for a service time or researching your great-grandfather, these records provide the closure and history that Jonesborough is known for.
How to Contact the Staff Directly
If you need to submit an obituary or have questions about a service, you can reach the office at 423-753-3821. They also take emails at office@dillow-taylor.com. Dealing with loss is never easy, but having a local, family-owned team makes the process feel a lot less like a transaction and more like a conversation.
Next Steps:
- To view current listings, visit the official Dillow-Taylor "Obituaries" page.
- If you are attending a service, check the "Directions" page to ensure you are heading to the correct chapel or gravesite.
- For those interested in preserving their own legacy, schedule a brief consultation with a funeral director to discuss pre-funding and planning options.