History & Staff

We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.

Our History

Our History

In 1937, Mr. J.F. "Frank" Henshaw, Sr. moved to Scottsboro from Gurley, Alabama and started Henshaw's-Scottsboro Funeral Home just off the southwest corner of the square.  In 1947, Henshaw's-Scottsboro Funeral Home moved to a new location on Willow Street.  Henshaw's-Scottsboro Funeral Home was operated from this location until they moved to the current location on May 12, 1974.  In the early 1960's, W.R. Henshaw and Frank Henshaw, sons of Mr. J.F. "Frank" Henshaw, Sr., began overseeing the operation of Henshaw's-Scottsboro Funeral Home.  In 1988, Jim Grigg, Reid Henshaw, and Craig Henshaw, grandsons of Mr. J.F. "Frank" Henshaw, Sr., took over ownership of the funeral home.  Scottsboro Funeral Home is proud to still be family owned and locally operated.

Our mission is to serve the families in our community with the utmost care and concern, dedication, compassion and professionalism. Since 1937, families have turned to us in times of need the way they would turn to any close and trusted friend. Our tradition of service and our deep connection within our community do make a difference.

A funeral should be as unique and special as the person it represents.  We believe every life has a unique story and deserves to be honored.  Let us help you tell that story, and truly celebrate a life that was lived.

Our mission is to serve the families in our community with the utmost care and concern, dedication, compassion and professionalism. Since 1937, families have turned to us in times of need the way they would turn to any close and trusted friend. Our tradition of service and our deep connection within our community do make a difference.

A funeral should be as unique and special as the person it represents.  We believe every life has a unique story and deserves to be honored.  Let us help you tell that story, and truly celebrate a life that was lived.

Our Valued StaffThe staff of Scottsboro Funeral Home is made up caring and experience professionals.  Our licensed staff has well over 100 years of combined experience in funeral service.  Our licensed staff is made up of Gene East, Cody Gore, Donald Phillips, and Bobby Joe Webb.  Our office administrator, Glenda Johnson, helps our office run smoothly, but also provides our families with assistance on many things.  Jim "Totchie" McLain helps families before, during, and after their time of need at Scottsboro Funeral Home and Pinehaven Memorial Gardens.  Along with our full-time staff, our part-time staff members-Thermon Bell, Ron Bray, Kenneth Day Jim Grigg,  Reid Henshaw, Billy Matthews, Kevin McLain, Keith Randles, Joan Stapler, and Roy Robertson-provides the utmost care and compassion to the families we serve.  

  • Gene East

    Gene East, Manager

    Gene has more than 30 years of experience as a funeral director and embalmer, including 20-plus years of experience managing funeral homes and cemeteries. He graduated from Jefferson State in Birmingham with a degree in mortuary science.He is currently an area manager for Gamble Holding Company, serving as location manager of their Guntersville (Carr Funeral Home), Grant (Grant Memorial Chapel) and Scottsboro (Scottsboro Funeral Home) locations.Gene, his wife Shana and their son, Jackson, reside in Arab. The East family attends Desperation Church of Arab. East is also an active member of the Guntersville Civitan Club and he serves as the president of Arab Youth Football League.

  • Cody  Gore, CFSP, CCO

    Cody Gore, CFSP, CCO, Funeral Director

    Cody has been serving families of this area full time since 2008 and worked part time while in high school and college beginning in 2005. He is a licensed funeral director, registered preneed sales agent, and licensed cremationist in Alabama, as well as a licensed funeral director in Tennessee. He also holds the designations of Certified Funeral Service Practitioner from the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice and Certified Crematory Operator from the National Funeral Director’s Association. Cody has served with the Family Assistance Center of the State Mortuary Operation Response Team, as well as having previously served as a Deputy Coroner with the Marshall County Coroner's Office and DeKalb County Coroner’s Office. After graduating from Geraldine High School, he attended Northeast Alabama Community College, Jacksonville State University, and Jefferson State Community College. Cody lives just outside of Scottsboro in the Swearengin Community with his wife, Kelsy and two sons, Greyson and Tripp. They are members of Oak Grove Holiness Church.

  • Rev. James “Totchie” McLain

    Rev. James “Totchie” McLain, Preneed/Family Services Counselor

    Jim “Totchie” McLain has lived in Jackson County for over 30 years. A graduate of Scottsboro High School, Totchie has worked in sales all of his life. A strong believer in his faith, he is the pastor of the Hytop Holiness Church on Cumberland Mountain. He can trace his relationship to Scottsboro Funeral Home as far back as his great grandfather, grandfather, and father who all preached funerals for the funeral home in their time. Totchie handles preneeds for Scottsboro Funeral Home, by helping preplan funeral/memorial services. He also is our Family Service Counselor for Pinehaven Memorial Gardens. As a Family Service Counselor, he helps families purchase cemetery/mausoleum/niche property and design the perfect cemetery memorial or monument. He has worked with the company for many years. Totchie and his wife, Wanda, live in Hytop.

  • Donald L. Phillips

    Donald L. Phillips, Funeral Director

    Donald, a licensed funeral director, joined the staff of Scottsboro Funeral Home February 1, 1984. Donald is one of the original staff members who worked with the Henshaw family, who started the funeral home. Donald lives in Scottsboro and is married to Judy C. Phillips, who is also a staff member of Scottsboro Funeral Home. Donald is a member of Roaches Cove Baptist Church.

  • Bobby Joe Webb

    Bobby Joe Webb, Funeral Director

    Bobby Joe joined the staff of Scottsboro Funeral Home as a licensed funeral director in 2006. A true public servant, Bobby joined our staff after he retired from the Scottsboro Fire Department with 28 years of service, as well as the ambulance service after 34 years. Bobby Joe's funeral home career actually began in 1972 when be worked part time for Henshaw's Scottsboro Funeral Home and later in 1973 when he joined the Word, Morrison, Gentle Funeral Home and Ambulance Service. Bobby graduated from Scottsboro High School in 1974, and obtained his E.M.T. Basic through UAH and in 1977 obtained his E.M.T. II from Northeast Community College. Bobby is a member of Center Point Baptist Church. Bobby lives in Dutton with his wife, Missy.

  • Joanna Gravitt

    Joanna Gravitt, Office Administrator