Get to Know Our Staff: Rocky Saylor
Shuly Cawood • July 15, 2024
Here’s something you should know about Rocky Saylor: he has a beautiful singing voice. This comes as no surprise once you know a little more about his roots. His mother used to sing every weekend with the family singing group, usually at churches and sometimes at high schools, traveling all over to perform.
Talent clearly runs in this family. Rocky sings bass and has performed at the Maranatha Tabernacle Church in Unicoi.
Originally from Johnson City, Rocky graduated from Daniel Boone High School and now lives in Jonesborough. When asked about why he went into funeral service, the story leads to Carson Baker, former owner of Morris-Baker and grandparent of its current owner, Preston McKee. “Carson was probably the biggest influence because he was a wonderful person,” Rocky says.
Over 20 years ago, Rocky met Carson because Rocky was working at Asbury Center, a local nursing home, where Carson’s mother was living at the time. “Every day at 8:30 in the morning, Carson would visit his mother, and over time we got to know each other,” Rocky says. “Carson asked me about working at Morris-Baker part-time. I’d never thought much about it until I met him and realized who he was and what he did. I started part-time and then moved to full-time, and I’ve been here ever since.”
Here’s another thing to know about Rocky, if you haven’t guessed it already: he’s loyal and steady, two things Morris-Baker still really appreciates, especially two decades later.
Crucial Conversations for Managing Dialogue
Earlier this month, Morris‑Baker Funeral Home & Cremation Services had the privilege of hosting current and prospective members of Selected Independent Funeral Homes for a regional roundtable discussion here in Johnson City. These gatherings are intentionally designed to foster open dialogue among independently owned funeral homes, providing space to share ideas, address regional challenges, and strengthen professional relationships—all in service of the families and communities we care for. Selected Independent Funeral Homes organizes meetings like these to support collaboration, learning, and peer connection among its members. What Is Selected Independent Funeral Homes? Founded in 1917 , Selected Independent Funeral Homes is an invitation‑only, worldwide association of independent funeral homes committed to continuous improvement and professional excellence. Membership is extended only after careful evaluation of a firm’s character, reputation, and dedication to high standards of service. Selected’s mission is to provide innovative, relevant resources, education, and support that help independently owned funeral homes thrive while remaining true to their values and local roots. Its guiding values emphasize service, independence, learning, and quality—principles that closely align with our own at Morris‑Baker. Why These Conversations Matter One of Selected’s core strengths is its emphasis on meaningful connection. Through meetings, forums, study groups, and leadership development programs, Selected creates opportunities for funeral professionals to learn directly from one another and to share real‑world experience in a trusted environment. Roundtable meetings, in particular, encourage honest discussion of issues facing independent funeral homes today—ranging from operational challenges to evolving family expectations—while reinforcing the shared commitment to ethical, family‑centered care that defines Selected membership. A Proud Tradition at Morris‑Baker Morris‑Baker Funeral Home & Cremation Services has been a proud member of Selected Independent Funeral Homes for over 80 years , reflecting generations of commitment to independent ownership, professional integrity, and service excellence. Hosting this roundtable was a meaningful way to carry that tradition forward—welcoming colleagues from across the region into our community and contributing to conversations that strengthen the profession as a whole. Looking Ahead We are grateful to everyone who joined us in Johnson City and for the thoughtful dialogue that took place around the table. These connections—and the shared pursuit of best practices—help ensure that independent, family‑owned funeral homes remain a vital part of the communities they serve. To learn more about Selected Independent Funeral Homes and the values that guide its members, visit selectedfuneralhomes.org .
Please Support Operation Thanksgiving
At Morris-Baker Funeral Home, we are passionate about supporting community organizations. That's why we are proud to announce that Preston McKee, our owner and funeral director, will be presenting a donation to Bob Hall, the executive director of Family Promise of Johnson City. For 25 years, this amazing organization has raised funds to support low-income families by providing a variety of essential services to assist them in different areas of their lives. We are thrilled to partner with this group and be a part of their incredible work.  To learn more about Family Promise of Johnson City, visit familypromisejc.com .
Morris-Baker’s Fourth Annual Gift Supporting Niswonger Children’s Hospital
At Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services, we believe in honoring those who serve our community with courage, compassion, and unwavering dedication. This week, we had the privilege of celebrating our local emergency workers with a special lunch, hosted in partnership with our friends at Firehouse Restaurant. This event is more than just a meal—it’s a tradition rooted in gratitude and memory. We remember with deep appreciation how our local firefighters stood by our former owner, Carson Baker, after the passing of his beloved wife, Dot Baker. Their kindness during that difficult time left a lasting impression on our family and our funeral home. After Dot’s passing, Carson found comfort in the unwavering support of his friends at the fire station. Their kindness went far beyond duty—they offered him companionship, shared meals, and a sense of belonging during one of the hardest times in his life. That generosity and friendship will never be forgotten. Today, we carry on that tradition. By serving lunch to our emergency workers, we honor not only their service but also the legacy of kindness and connection that Mr. Baker cherished so deeply. To all our firefighters, police officers, EMTs, and first responders—thank you. Your dedication does not go unnoticed, and your compassion will always be remembered. With heartfelt gratitude, Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services Family
We have news to share! We are truly humbled to announce that Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services has been honored with the 2024 Pursuit of Excellence Award from the National Funeral Directors Association! This award put us among the world’s most distinguished funeral homes, known for delivering extraordinary service while adhering to the highest ethical and professional standards. A big thank you to the NFDA for bestowing this incredible honor on our team!
If you or someone you know could benefit from grief support, please make plans to attend one of our upcoming in-person, grief support groups. We meet the first and third Tuesday of every month at Everlan of Johnson City. Next meeting is November 5th at 5pm.
Preparing their favorite meal is a great way to remember a loved one.
Tomorrow is National Check Your Meds Day, a time to bring your prescription medications to your pharmacist or physician for a comprehensive review. Can’t go today? Call your pharmacist or doctor any time you have questions or need a medication review.
