When you walk down East Fisher Street in Salisbury, you’re basically walking through a massive chunk of North Carolina history. It's quiet.
Noble and Kelsey Funeral Home Salisbury has been sitting there at 223 E. Fisher St. for a long, long time. Since 1902, actually. Most businesses don't last twenty years, let alone over 120. But this place? It’s different. Honestly, it’s one of those rare institutions that has become the literal backbone of the community, especially for African American families who, for a century, didn't always have many places to turn for dignity in death.
The 1902 Handshake That Changed Salisbury
The story isn't just about business. It’s about two guys—W.F. Kelsey and Steven Noble—who saw a gaping hole in how people were being treated. Noble was a hearse driver. Kelsey was a barber. They teamed up because, back then, if you were Black in Rowan County, getting a "high-class" funeral wasn't a guarantee. They started in a tiny storefront at 117 East Fisher Street.
It’s kinda wild to think about: the building originally housed both the funeral home and the barbershop. Talk about a one-stop shop for the community.
But here’s the detail most people miss. Steven Noble passed away in the 1930s, and even though the Kelsey family eventually took full ownership, Noble had one dying wish. He wanted his name to stay on the building as long as his widow was alive. The Kelseys didn't just honor that for her lifetime—they kept it there forever. That’s the kind of loyalty you just don't see anymore.
Why Noble and Kelsey Funeral Home Salisbury Still Matters
In a world where big corporate conglomerates are buying up local funeral homes and turning them into cookie-cutter franchises, Noble and Kelsey has stayed family-owned.
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Right now, you’ve got third and fourth-generation Kelseys running the show. Kimberly D. Kelsey and her daughter, Adrianna, are the ones carrying the torch today. It’s not just a job for them; it’s a legacy. They’re still doing the work that W.F. Kelsey and Steven Noble started, but with modern touches like livestreaming for out-of-town relatives and a 10-step cremation process that’s actually pretty rigorous.
They handle about 65 to 70 families a year. That’s a lot of grief to hold.
One of the most impressive figures in their history was Lula Spaulding Kelsey. She was W.F. Kelsey’s wife, and she became the first female embalmer in the entire state of North Carolina. Back in the early 1900s, that was a massive deal. She wasn’t just "the wife" of the owner; she was a pioneer in a very tough, male-dominated industry.
What They Actually Do (Beyond the Basics)
Most people think a funeral home just picks up a body and sets up some flowers. At Noble and Kelsey Funeral Home Salisbury, it's more of a community hub.
- Veterans Services: They take the "honoring those who served" thing very seriously. They handle the messy paperwork for military honors so the family doesn't have to.
- The Crematory: A lot of places outsource cremation. They ship the body off to some warehouse. Noble and Kelsey has their own on-site crematory. Your loved one never actually leaves their care, which is a big deal for peace of mind.
- Back to School Drives: Since 2020, they’ve been giving away hundreds of bags filled with school supplies to local kids.
- Winter Coat Drives: They collected 85 coats in 2021 alone, got them professionally cleaned by Cintas, and handed them out to folks at the local shelter.
It’s sort of a "whole life" approach. They aren't just there when someone dies; they’re there when the kids need pencils or when someone is cold in November.
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Real Talk About Planning
If you're looking into this because you're in the middle of a crisis, take a breath. It's overwhelming.
The staff there—people like James Alexander and Jennifer Thomas—are known for being patient. Honestly, the reviews reflect that. One family recently mentioned how Kimberly Kelsey sent someone to their house immediately after a tragic loss just to handle the small details they couldn't wrap their heads around.
They have this online planning tool now. You can sit on your couch and fill out seven steps of information—everything from the "Vital Statistics" (where your parents were born, your Social Security number) to the "Service Requests" (what poems you want read or what music you like).
It feels less clinical when you do it that way.
Modern Needs Meet Traditional Roots
The current facility at 223 East Fisher Street has been their home since 1970. It’s got that "homelike" vibe, which is intentional. They’ve got a chapel, plenty of parking (which is a miracle in downtown Salisbury), and spaces that don't feel like a cold hospital wing.
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They’ve adapted, too. During the pandemic, they didn't skip a beat. They started offering livestreaming so people from California or New York could "attend" the service in Salisbury.
They also run a Voter and Census Registration Drive. They’ve prepped and served hot lunches for people just trying to get registered to vote. It’s that old-school "neighborhood pillar" mentality that keeps them relevant in 2026.
Actionable Steps for Families
If you are currently tasked with making arrangements or just want to be prepared, here is the best way to move forward with them.
- Check the Vital Stats: If you're pre-planning, gather the "boring" stuff now. You’ll need the deceased’s parents’ names (including mother's maiden name), birthplaces, and education history for the death certificate.
- Use the Online Form: Don't feel like you have to go in person for the first step. Their website has a 7-step planning form that saves you a lot of emotional energy.
- Ask About the 10-Step Cremation: If you’re leaning toward cremation, ask them to explain their tracking system. It involves a metal ID tag and a personal code that stays with the person throughout the entire process.
- Veteran Benefits: If the person served, find their discharge papers (DD214). Noble and Kelsey will handle the rest, including the flag and the honor guard.
Noble and Kelsey Funeral Home Salisbury isn't just a place where funerals happen. It's a 124-year-old promise kept by a family that refuses to let their neighbors go through the hardest days of their lives alone. Whether you need a full traditional service or just a simple cremation, the focus stays on the dignity of the person who passed and the sanity of the people they left behind.
Reach out to them at (704) 636-2711 if you're in an immediate-need situation. They’re available 24/7, which is a heavy burden to carry, but one they’ve been carrying since the days of horse-drawn hearses.