Every member of our team of funeral professionals is dedicated to offering comfort and guidance during the vulnerable time after the loss of a loved one.

No matter where you are in your grief journey — from our first planning meeting to the day of your service, and well beyond — we’re ready to support you throughout the process.

 

Let us help you create a unique service that honors your loved one’s life and allows your family and friends to begin their healing journey together.

In the meantime, we’re here to answer any questions or offer more information about your funeral service options.
Meet with a professional

 

 

Leadership

photo
Preston McKee Owner, Licensed Funeral Director
photo
Harriet E. Baker Funeral Director (Retired)
photo
Shuly Cawood Director of Community Relations (non-licensed)
photo
Katie Johnson Operations Manager, Funeral Director, & Embalmer

Funeral Directors/Embalmers

photo
Daniel Dunn Apprentice Funeral Director and Apprentice Embalmer
photo
Calvin W. James Funeral Director & Embalmer
photo
Kate Adams Stampanato Funeral Director & Embalmer
photo
Kelsey Fahnestöck Funeral Director & Embalmer

Funeral Assistants

photo
Fred Salyer Funeral Assistant
photo
Floyd “Rocky” Saylor Funeral Assistant
photo
Michael Richards Continuing Care Coordinator, Certified Celebrant
photo
Charles Wright Funeral Assistant
photo
Judy Ellis Funeral Assistant, Service Musician
photo
Mark Finucane Funeral Assistant
photo
Jerre Whitson Funeral Assistant
photo
Roy Crane Funeral Assistant
photo
Phillip McClain Funeral Assistant
photo
Mary Blackmore Funeral Assistant
photo
Glenn Parris Funeral Assistant
photo
Kibbi (2009-2022) The Morris-Baker Therapy Dog

Office Support

photo
Imelia McAllister Administrative Assistant
photo
Haleigh Little Administrative Assistant
photo
Vickie Berry Executive Assistant

Imelia McAllister

Administrative Assistant
photo

Haleigh Little

Administrative Assistant
photo

Daniel Dunn

Apprentice Funeral Director and Apprentice Embalmer
photo

Originally from Elizabethton, Daniel Dunn has been working with Morris-Baker since 2020. A graduate of World Christian Ministries, Daniel has pastored at three churches in his 21 years of ministry. He’s also worked in security and human resources. Currently he is enrolled at John A. Gupton Mortuary College. When he is free, he enjoys spending time with his fiancée and their children, eating a good meal, and seeing a good show.

Fred Salyer

Funeral Assistant
photo

Preston McKee

Owner, Licensed Funeral Director
photo

Preston is a third-generation funeral director. He is a lifelong Johnson City resident and the son of Tom McKee and Harriet Baker. He is married to Shuly Cawood. Preston graduated from Science Hill High School and the University of the South. He is a former chair of the Johnson City Area United Way Board of Directors, former member of its Executive Committee. He also served as the 2002 Allocations Committee chair as well as chair of Johnson City’s 2005 United Way Campaign. Preston has served on the Johnson City Salvation Army Advisory Board, and he is currently club secretary for the Johnson City Rotary Club.

Harriet E. Baker

Funeral Director (Retired)
photo

Harriet is a native and lifelong resident of Johnson City. She is a graduate of Science Hill High School and East Tennessee State University. She is a member and former elder of the session of First Presbyterian Church, Elizabethton. Harriet is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Johnson City – Washington County Area United Way, and Girls Inc. She has also been active in Habitat for Humanity and the Johnson City Arts Council. Harriet has four children, including Preston McKee, as well as eight grandchildren.

Shuly Cawood

Director of Community Relations (non-licensed)
photo

Originally from Ohio, Shuly is married to Preston McKee. She has a master’s degree from Queens University and has worked in the communications field for her entire career. She is also a certified funeral celebrant. Shuly serves on the board of Girls Inc. of Johnson City/Washington County and on the board of the Friends of the Johnson City Public Library.

Calvin W. James

Funeral Director & Embalmer
photo

Calvin is a Paintsville, Kentucky native who has lived in Johnson City since joining Morris-Baker in 1999. He is a graduate of Paintsville High School and the Mid-America College of Funeral Service (Jeffersonville, Indiana). Calvin is a member of Heritage Baptist Church, and in the past, he has been involved with the Jaycees, Masons, and Lions Club. He is an avid magician who specializes in working with children. Calvin is married and has two daughters.

Kate Adams Stampanato

Funeral Director & Embalmer
photo

Kate joined Morris-Baker in 2014 as an apprentice and has since become a fully licensed staff member. Originally from Chicago, she graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science. In her free time, Kate likes to travel to places in the region—Asheville, Pigeon Forge, Chattanooga—and she loves to take walks with her dog and to go hiking.

Kelsey Fahnestöck

Funeral Director & Embalmer
photo

Kelsey Fahnestöck has been with Morris-Baker since 2017. Originally from Illinois, she has an associate’s degree in applied science and art from Illinois Central College as well as a degree in mortuary science from Worsham College. In her free time, she enjoys drawing, reading, collecting art and comics, cooking, baking, and being outside.

Katie Johnson

Operations Manager, Funeral Director, & Embalmer
photo

Katie Johnson began working with Morris-Baker in 2018. Originally from Minnesota, she has an associate’s degree from Normandale Community College and a bachelor of science degree in mortuary science from the University of Minnesota. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering to help animal rescues, shelters, and sanctuaries. She also likes travel, hiking, horseback riding, and spending time with her daughter and the rest of her family and friends.

Floyd “Rocky” Saylor

Funeral Assistant
photo

Rocky grew up in Johnson City and is a graduate of Daniel Boone HS. He and his family live in Jonesborough, and he is a member of the Maranatha Tabernacle Church in Unicoi. In his free time, he enjoys singing Southern Gospel, and he likes watching college football and the NFL.

Michael Richards

Continuing Care Coordinator, Certified Celebrant
photo

Originally from Tampa, Florida, Mike Richards has lived in Johnson City for nearly a decade, and he has worked with Morris-Baker since 2012. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida. Mike worked in the ministry for nearly twenty years, and he’s now involved with the Grace Gospel Church and is also a certified celebrant. Married and with seven children, Mike enjoys hunting, grilling out with his family and friends, and meeting new people.

Vickie Berry

Executive Assistant
photo

Vickie Berry grew up locally and is a graduate of Unaka High School and East Tennessee State University. She has worked at Morris-Baker since 2011 and has spent her career focused on administrative management. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Bobby, and her daughter, Emilee. She also enjoys cooking, baking, boating at Watauga Lake with her family, and gardening.

Charles Wright

Funeral Assistant
photo
Charles has been a resident of Johnson City for all of his life, and he has been with Morris-Baker Funeral Home for over 25 years. Retired from the Tennessee Department of Safety, Charles is a US Army Veteran. He and his wife, Betty, attend Piney Flats First Baptist Church.

Judy Ellis

Funeral Assistant, Service Musician
photo

Born and raised in Johnson City, Judy Ellis is now retired from the Washington County Department of Education, where she worked for over three decades. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, exploring Asheville, cooking, playing the piano and organ, and she is the organist at Gray United Methodist Church.

Mark Finucane

Funeral Assistant
photo

Originally from Buffalo, New York, Mark Finucane moved South to attend ETSU and never left. He lives in Johnson City with his wife. Mark is retired from the Johnson City Fire Department, where he served as assistant chief. He is involved with the United Way of Washington County, Up & At’Em Inc., ETSU Biological/Chemical Safety Committee, and the City of Johnson City Golf Advisory Board. In his free time, Mark enjoys physical fitness, travel, golf, reading, and watching sports.

Jerre Whitson

Funeral Assistant
photo

Having grown up in Jonesborough, Jerre Whitson has now lived in Johnson City for over four decades with his wife. He served in the United States Air Force. Jerre likes to sing and was involved with the Appalachian (Barbershop) Express. He is a member of the Piney Flats First Baptist Church.

Roy Crane

Funeral Assistant
photo

Originally from Johnson City, Roy Crane has lived in Jonesborough for over three decades and is married. Now retired from Pet Dairy, he enjoys fishing and being on the water and any outdoor activity.

Phillip McClain

Funeral Assistant
photo

A graduate of ETSU, Phillip has been a resident of Johnson City for over 40 years, and he has been working at Morris-Baker since 2010. He served in the Navy, and he retired from Valleydale Foods as a regional sales manager after 24 years. He has served on the Washington County School Board member since 2004, and Phillip and his wife are members of the Wesley United Methodist Church, the Telford Cemetery Association, and the Disabled American Veterans through volunteer services at Mountain Home. Phillip also volunteers for the Storytelling Festival every year.

Mary Blackmore

Funeral Assistant
photo

Glenn Parris

Funeral Assistant
photo

Kibbi (2009-2022)

The Morris-Baker Therapy Dog
photo

Kibbi has been certified through Therapy Dogs International to work with families who need a little extra comfort. In her free time, Kibbi loves walking, hiking, swimming, making friends with cats, and chasing the ball.