ABOUT US
Jarnigan & Son Mortuary. Since 1886
Our Mission
We Take a Great Amount of Pride in What We Do
Jarnigan & Son Mortuary remains committed to the original mission of Mr. Clem Jarnigan,
“To Provide Decent Christian Burial Services At Reasonable Prices”

Our History
Jarnigan & Son Mortuary was Founded on ” Trust in God, Faith and Honesty.”
At Jarnigan & Son Mortuary we feel there is no greater calling than to be of service to our fellow man.
We hope that the information contained in this website will better enable you to understand the many services we offer, as well as answer questions regarding funeral service in general.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for information or assistance regarding funerals, cremation or any other area of funeral service.
Jarnigan & Son Mortuary is the oldest continually operated Black business in the city of Knoxville. It was established by Clem Jarnigan in 1886 at the corner of Commerce Avenue and State Street. In 1888 he moved the business from the downtown area to 15 Nelson Street and remained in that building until 1909. In 1909 the company moved to a larger facility at 401 Nelson Street. The structure was remodeled several times and by the 1930’s had become a modern facility.
Jarnigan & Son Mortuary remained in this facility until 1969 when Mr. Wilber and Mrs. Annabelle Tate built a new and modern facility at 2823 McCalla Avenue,now Martin Luther King Jr Avenue, where it is one of Knoxville’s leading Black Businesses today