Our Staff

Brian Metcalf

General Manager/Certified Crematory Operator

[email protected]

Brian is a native of Saluda and started his career in funeral service at McFarland Funeral Chapel and Crematory in 1998. He is a graduate of East Henderson High Class of 1989 and Fayetteville Technical Community College Funeral Service Education.

Brian is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in North Carolina and South Carolina and a Certified Crematory Operator. At McFarland Funeral Chapel and Crematory, he is responsible for overseeing the staff, day-to-day operations and crematory manager. Brian also coordinates services and arrangements with families.

Brian is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Tryon.

He and his wife, Kim, have four children: Brandon, Grayson, Matthew, and Megan.

Megan Smith

Funeral Director/Embalmer/Cert. Crematory Operator

[email protected]

Megan is a native of Columbus and joined McFarland Funeral Chapel and Crematory in 2015. Megan performs essential administrative duties including customer service, accounting, billing, writing obituaries and meeting with families arranging services.

A former nurse for 13 years, Megan completed her funeral service education at Fayetteville Community College Funeral Service Program and has attained her Funeral Director and Embalmers License in North Carolina and crematory certification.

Megan is married with three boys and lives on a large cattle farm.

Joel Bradley

Funeral Assistant/Certified Crematory Operator

Joel is a native of Polk County and joined McFarland Funeral Chapel & Crematory in 2021. He supports families by helping during visitations and services. In February of 2023, Joel earned his Certified Crematory Operators Certificate and helps perform cremations at our on-site crematory.

Joel is married to the former Deborah Mills and they reside in Columbus.

Dr. Chris Osborn

Chaplain and Funeral Assistant

Chris was born in Memphis, TN, grew up in Gaffney, SC and graduated from Gaffney High School. Rev. Osborn received his Doctor of Ministry from Covington Theological Seminary in Rossville, GA in 1988.

He retired in 2012 from Silver Creek Baptist Church in Mill Spring after 25 years as a pastor. He currently serves as pastor of Faith Temple Baptist Church, Chaplain for the Mill Spring Volunteer Fire Department and the Polk County Sheriff’s Department.

Dr. Osborn and his wife, Judy, have three children, nine grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Fred M. Foy

Funeral Assistant

Fred is a native of Polk County and retired from IGA in Tryon as Produce Manager.

Fred joined McFarland Funeral Chapel and Crematory in 2010 and Fred uses his friendly and outgoing personality to help families with anything they might need. When he’s not working, Fred enjoys gardening and watching sports.

He and his wife, Julie, live in Mill Spring, NC.

William Mills

Funeral Assistant

William is a native of Polk County and joined McFarland Funeral Chapel and Crematory December of 2014.

William is retired military and one of the reasons he began working at McFarland Funeral Chapel and Crematory is because he feels he is well-qualified to relate to people and comfort them since he has seen a lot through his years in the service.

He enjoys helping people in trying situations. William’s responsibilities include providing whatever assistance is needed during visitations and funeral services.

William is a member Midway Baptist Church serving as a Sunday school teacher. In his free time, William enjoys watching NASCAR racing.

William is married to the former Linda Jones and they reside in Columbus.

Linda Mills

Hospitality Specialist

Linda is a native of Green Creek and joined McFarland Funeral Chapel and Crematory in 2018.

Linda retired from St. Luke's Hospital business office and assist with office duties and helps coordinate receptions at McFarland Funeral Chapel and Crematory.

Linda is a member of Midway Baptist Church and enjoys reading and time at the beach.

Linda is married to William Mills and they reside in Columbus.

Frank K. McFarland, Jr. (1923~2012)

In Loving Memory

A native of Tryon, he was the President and owner of McFarland Funeral Chapel, Inc. and was instrumental in building the facility at its current location in 1962. He served as a Western District Representative to the NC Board of Funeral Directors Association in the late 1950’s and was well known for his caring concern to the many families he served. Frank operated the first ambulance service in Polk County for many years, and in 1955 he along with a brother-in-law, opened the only perpetual care cemetery in Polk County, Polk Memorial Gardens. 

The son of the late Frank K., Sr. and Flora Fisher McFarland, he graduated from Tryon High School in 1941 where he was an accomplished athlete being named MVP of the all county basketball conference. He graduated from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 1943 and was licensed as a funeral director and embalmer on his 21st birthday, April 20, 1944. Frank joined the U. S. Navy, serving aboard the USS Dauphin as a Pharmacist Mate during WWII. Upon his return from the war he joined his father and mother in the operations of McFarland’s, serving thousands of families in his 70 year career. In 1950 he married Wayne Burkehead Strother of Woodruff, SC. 

Frank was active in the community over the years. At the time of his death he was the oldest living Tryon Volunteer Fireman, serving for more than 40 years. He was a member of the Tryon Rotary Club and member of the VFW Post, 4505, Tryon, NC.  Frank was an avid tennis player and enjoyed all sports his entire life. He was a member of the Tryon Presbyterian Church, Tryon, NC.

Wayne B. McFarland (1921~2007)

In Loving Memory

Born in Laurens, SC, she was the daughter of the late Henry and Kathleen Sitgreaves Burkehead. Mrs. McFarland was Vice-President of McFarland Funeral Chapel and owner of Wayne S. McFarland Interiors, both of Tryon, NC. She was known locally for her beautiful Christmas decorations and over the years she was active in many community activities. She was a member of the Green Blades Garden Club and the Lanier Library. She was a member of the Tryon Presbyterian Church, Tryon, NC.

Clarence G. Scoggins (1923~2004)

In Loving Memory

A native of Polk County, he was the son the late Claude and Eloise Foster Scoggins. Clarence was a Veteran of WWII having served in the U.S. Army Military Police and was a lifetime member of the VFW Post #10349 in Tryon. Clarence was a licensed funeral director with McFarland Funeral Chapel for 45 years. 

He was a member of the Tryon Volunteer Fire Department from 1950 to 1988 , where he served two terms as Chief. Clarence was selected as North Carolina Fireman of the Year in 1959. He instituted the Fireman of the Year Award for the Tryon Fire Department. Clarence also served as the Polk County Fire Marshal for 30 years. He was a Boy Scout Leader, Past President of the Tryon Lions Club, Past President of the Tryon PTA for several years, Past President of Tryon High School Boosters Club, Coordinator of Football Camp Volunteers for 15 years and was the parts manager for 10 years for Pierce Wilson Motors. Clarence was a member First Baptist Church of Tryon, where he served as Sunday School Superintendent of Young Adults, Church Treasurer and Deacon.

C. Elwood Martin (1916~2000)

In Loving Memory

Born in Stokes County, NC, he was the son of the late James Robert and Ellen Elizabeth Stone Martin. He was the husband of Mary Gaze Martin who died in 1989. He was a veteran of WW II having served in the US Army. He moved to Polk County in 1938 from High Point and was a Supervisor for Adams Millis Knitting Co. He was retired from the Town of Tryon as the Water Department Supervisor. He was employed by McFarland Funeral Chapel, Tryon, NC for over 30 years. He was a member of Tryon Presbyterian Church, Jeff L. Nelson Masonic Lodge Post # 605 and was Past Commander of American Legion Post # 250 in Tryon, NC.

Hal Fisher (1956~2012)

In Loving Memory

Born in Spartanburg County, SC, he was the son of Martha Hall Davis of Lake Bowen, SC and Jessie Junior Fisher of Spartanburg, SC. A l974 graduate of Landrum High School, he graduated from Spartanburg Methodist College and later Gupton Jones College of Mortuary Science, Atlanta, GA, where he was salutatorian of his class and receive the Bill Pierce Award for funeral director most likely to succeed. Hal had been an embalmer and licensed funeral director with the McFarland Funeral Chapel, Tryon, NC since 1987. He was a member of Hickory Grove Baptist Church, Columbus, NC where he had served as a Deacon and Sunday School Teacher. Hal was an avid gun collector and enjoyed automobiles and his Harley Davidson Motorcycle.

Johnnie B. McDowell (1931 ~ 2021)

In Loving Memory



Born in Landrum, he was the son of the late Howard McDowell and Tecora McDowell. Mr. McDowell worked 50 plus years at McFarland Funeral Chapel. He enjoyed farming, fishing, and hunting. Mr. McDowell was a member of Landrum Springs Baptist Church.

William Harold "Hop" Foster (1939~2023)

In Loving Memory

A native and lifelong resident of Saluda, he was the son of the late Crawford Foster and Meda Lusk Foster. Hop was a graduate of Saluda High School and played many sports. Hop went on to work for Cranston Print Works and retired as a supervisor. During the years, Hop was very involved with the community.

Hop served with the Saluda Fire & Rescue for years, serving in every capacity possible from Chief to later president of the board of directors. Hop was instrumental in the building of the Old Saluda Fire Department, which is now the Saluda Senior Center, and purchasing the department's first new engine.

Hop also was very involved with Saluda School having helped on many projects to benefit the children of Saluda and refereed basketball games at Saluda. He also was involved with coaching little league baseball at Harmon Field. Hop was a longtime member of Saluda United Methodist Church having served as a board trustee. Hop joined McFarland Funeral Chapel in 1998 serving families on visitations and services until his health declined. Being an avid golfer, Hop worked at the Tryon Country Club in the Pro Shop for several years.

One of Hop’s biggest moments each year was being the Master of Ceremony at Coon Dog Day in Saluda organizing and announcing the floats in the parade for 50 years. Saluda has truly lost a dedicated servant of the community and will be sorely missed.

Barbara Jean Horne (1944 ~ 2022)

In Loving Memory

Born in Tryon, she was the daughter of the late Charles Franklin Richards and Florence Isabell Waters Richards and widow of Burdette Horne who passed away in 2003. Growing up in Tryon, Barbara and Burdette married in June of 1973 and made Campobello their home. Barbara worked for over 30 years doing housekeeping at McFarland Funeral Chapel and area homes. When not working, her passion was her family. She would make daily phone calls to her family making sure everyone was okay. Barbara was a faithful member of Inman First Freewill Baptist Church and attended the Disciples Sunday School Class.

Dennis R. Graham (1959~2023)

In Loving Memory

A native and lifelong resident of Henderson County, he was the son of Joe Graham and Nancy Rhodes Graham of Hendersonville. Dennis was a graduate of Hendersonville High School. Following high school, Dennis went to work for Cranston Print Works until its closure.

Dennis began his career in Funeral Service in 1999 at Thos. Shepherd & Son and later Shuler Funeral Home. He came to McFarland Funeral Chapel in 2010 and worked until his retirement in February of 2023.

Dennis had a passion for sports, he played football at Hendersonville High School and was an avid Atlanta Braves and North Carolina Tarheel fan. Dennis sang with Herbs Quartet for many years alongside his dad.