About Us
The Spring Hill Difference
Since 1780, we have been honored to deliver healing experiences to the Nashville community. We exist to serve the unique needs of every family. Learn our story. Lean on us. And let our expertise lead you through the best experience possible.
Our pledge
We’re here to give you care and comfort as we help guide you through the planning journey.
Our Story
We invite you to discover who has made Spring Hill Funeral Home & Cemetery the ultimate provider of creating healing experiences in the community. This section contains the heritage, vision, and the people behind Spring Hill Funeral Home & Cemetery's reputation of quality, sincerity, and trust.
1780
The history of Spring Hill dates back to the 1780s when the first settlers moved in from the Cumberland settlement into an area six miles east of Nashville called Haysboro.
1813
The grounds were designated as Craighead Spring Hill Cemetery, named after Rev. Thomas B. Craighead.
1888
A company of gentlemen chartered Spring Hill Cemetery for the sale of lots and marketed it as a modern final resting place. These directors drew up the rules of governing, maintaining and protecting the lots, monuments, and procedures of interment.
1925
As the city grew, the population spread outward encompassing the surrounding counties. A modern downtown area with skyscrapers, city park systems, electric street cars, automobiles and entertainment centers made Nashville a thriving city in the early 1900s. In 1925, the Grand Ole Opry was born and Nashville would soon become known as Music City. Today several members of the Opry are interred and memorialized within the gates of historic Spring Hill.
1934
J. Taylor Stratton, a prominent stockholder, businessman and civic leader, spearheaded the management and growth of Spring Hill for 30 years. In 1934, Mary Stratton, Stratton’s daughter became president of the cemetery. Known as Miss Mary, she established new roads, statuary, plantings, and other improvements to the property.
1991
After the death of Mary Stratton's husband, Dr. James Hayes, a beloved Nashville physician, managed the operations of Spring Hill Cemetery. In 1991 he stepped down to President Emeritus and turned operations over to his son Rev. Jim Hayes. Rev. Hayes, a well known member of the clergy, worked hard to fulfill his mother’s legacy and serve the community.
1998
After Rev. Hayes’ sudden death in 1994 and Dr. Hayes’ death in 1996, the Rev. Hayes’ widow Marylyn Poteete Hayes and her daughters operated Spring Hill for many years. In the late 1990s they began working with funeral directors to design and construct a state of the art funeral home to better service their community.
Ground breaking occurred in June of 1997 and in 1998 the doors of Spring Hill Funeral Home were opened.
2017
Today Spring Hill Funeral Home & Cemetery is one of the largest funeral and cemetery providers in Nashville, it’s wide open spaces dotted with majestic trees and beautiful flower gardens offer tranquility and beauty not only to the families it serves but to the community as a whole.
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115K+
Legacies Honored
242
Years in Business
6.1M+
Moments Remembered
Our team
We're members of the local community who have many years of experience caring for families from all backgrounds and all walks of life. Families know they can count on us to provide them the comfort they need when they need it most.
Jeffrey Friedman
Assistant Managing Partner, Operations
Taryn Closen
Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer
Dr. Kevin Shrum
Community Outreach Director
Deby Lawson
Administrative Specialist
Tiffany Diaz-Henderson
Administrative Assistant
Bill Cruz
Grounds Crew
James Garner
Grounds Crew
Kevin Schosker
Grounds Crew
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Tara Jones Bessling
Managing Partner, Operations
Tara Bessling joined the Spring Hill staff 11 years ago and is the Managing Partner of Operations. She is a member of Long Hollow Baptist Church, the 2013 past president of the Madison Rivergate Chamber of Commerce, on the Board of Directors for King's Daughters Child Development Center and a member of the Tennessee Funeral Director's Association. Tara graduated from John A. Gupton Mortuary College with a degree in Mortuary Science and was previously in the funeral industry for 23 years. Tara is married to her husband Gary and they have two children Callie & Matthew. When we asked what attracted Tara to this field, She said: “As a child, I had wanted to be a part of the funeral industry, I feel it is a calling.” When asked to give the proudest moment in this profession Tara said: “The most important and rewarding part of my job is to help families through their darkest moments. It is an honor to work at Spring Hill and serve the families of middle Tennessee.”
Kyle Pete
Funeral Home Manager
Kyle brings 18+ years in the industry, graduate from Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science (PIMS) with a degree in Mortuary Science, 9+ years licensed as a director and embalmer with 5+ years of cemetery and management experience. Kyle oversees the day-to-day operations of the funeral home and staff, meet with families to make arrangements for their loved ones, and partner with the team to ensure all of our families have the best possible experience. Serving the families of the Greater Nashville Area and beyond is one of his favorite parts of his position. Being who I am, is one way to give back to my community. As a Christian, this is how I minister and help others in their time of need.
Kyle is married to his beautiful wife Chelsea who is a wonderful bonus mom to his daughter Mckayla. They have two dogs, Lilly (miniature dachshund) and Winston (Morkie) that complete his family.
Gwyn Winstead
Cemetery and Funeral Home Office Manager
Gwyn joined the family at Spring Hill in 2023, bringing her leadership, experience, and passion to the team. She grew up in the cemetery and funeral industry in Middle Tennessee, closely watching her mother who retired recently after helping grow a small family firm into a multi-location operation serving thousands of families each year.
Gwyn officially began her own career in the cemetery and funeral profession in 2017, working her way up in the funeral print shop where she progressed from production specialist to graphic designer, creating meaningful memorial stationary for families. She touched the lives of many during their time of loss. She went on to provide support to the pre-planning team working with the director of advance planning, where she provided daily encouragement and leadership to over 40 pre-arrangement counselors, throughout Tennessee and Mississippi.
She is honored to bring her years of service to help support and guide the administrative team at Spring Hill. The history and legacy of the operation give her pride and feed her desire to serve.
Gwyn and her husband, Justin, are raising three beautiful daughters. They are steadfast members of Charlotte Road Baptist Church, where the two met.
Yasi Dye
Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer
Yasamin “Yasi” Dye joined the Spring Hill team in November of 2021. Yasi is a first-generation funeral director and embalmer in a family of educators. She graduated from Cypress College in Cypress, California with an Associates of Mortuary Science in 2015 and a Bachelors of Funeral Service in 2018. Her journey as a funeral director and embalmer has taken her from the greater Los Angeles to small-town Arizona to beautiful Nashville. Her passion for funeral directing and embalming began when she was young, and she credits the Ancient Egyptians for sparking her interest in the art of embalming and sacred rituals for the dearly departed. That fascination carried her through grade school and all the way to mortuary college, where she realized she was truly in the right vocation.
When not serving families, Yasi enjoys spending time with her husband Jacob, son Theodore, and kitty cat Dolly. She is of mixed descent, and takes great pride in her Persian, Mexican, Native American, and Jewish roots. She enjoys makeup artistry, Old Hollywood history, visiting Dollywood, singing, baking, listening to audiobooks, and discovering new music.
“Your loved one is precious to you and is therefore precious to me. I am committed to serving families of every faith and culture, and I am honored to guide you through every step of the process from beginning to end, and beyond.”
David Paul Thain
Family Service Advisor
David Thain joined the Spring Hill team January 2015 & has 2 yrs of experience in the profession.
David's mission is helping families create a memorable life celebration for their loved one. Helping people through difficult times in their lives. Really rewarding career offering compassion, support and guidance to others through challenging times. During my personal time I enjoy fitness, health & wellness, biking, hiking, yoga and cooking. I am also a musician, vocalist and pianist. Piano influences: Floyd Cramer, Jerry Lee Lewis Vocal influences: Elvis, Merle Haggard, Keith Whitley
Suzanne Angel-Griggs
Director of First Impressions
Suzanne was previously a letter carrier for the US postal service for 25 years. When we asked what attracted Suzanne to this field, She said: “I love people and consider it an honor to come a long beside them and help through the hardest moments of their lives.” Suzanne is the proud mom of four children and four grandchildren. She enjoys working with children , her garden, hiking and reading. When asked to give the proudest moment in this profession Suzanne said: “When you have helped a family through the visitation and funeral and they prepare to leave and feel like part of your family… when the final hugs and tears feel like the beginning of a friendship.”
Allen Riley
Staff Associate
Allen joined Spring Hill in May of 2015. He is a research specialist working with families to gather all pertinent documentation. The most important thing in Allen's life is Jesus Christ and his service to him. Allen's background consists of non-denominational evangelistic ministry. It is a privilege for Allen to conduct funeral services for families that do not have a minister or their minister is unavailable. Allen is confident in the power of the Lord God and humbly performs services at no charge to the funeral home or the family.
On his free time, Allen enjoys playing the guitar and keyboards for relaxation. He has over 40 years in the music business, which he is now retired from.
Carl Dunlap
Staff Associate
Married to my wife for 50 years, we have two kids, a boy, and a girl. I have four grandchildren. I served in Germany from 1966 to 1969 in the Army. Retired from the United Methodist Publishing House where I worked for 30 years. I've been retired for 10 years and enjoyed playing golf but, not very good at it. I've chosen this profession as I like to help families.
Donna Hoover
Staff Associate
Donna Hoover joined the Spring Hill staff. She is a member of Northside Church of Christ. Donna previously held various factory jobs including General Electric and Pinkerton Tobacco Co. Donna retired from infant daycare after 22 years and still misses her babies! When we asked what attracted Donna to this field, She said: “I enjoy people and decided I may be able to help families at Spring Hill Funeral Home. My husband has been employed at Spring Hill for 6 plus years, so he encouraged me to join the team.” Donna is married to Bill and enjoys word games and community activities When asked to give the proudest moment in this profession Donna said: “Spring Hill is full of genuinely caring, wonderful people whom I enjoy working with very much.”
Ellen Abbott
Administrative Specialist
Ellen Abbott has a master’s degree in counseling from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Evansville, Indiana. She has over fifteen years of experience in the identity theft and consumer fraud industry as a fraud investigator, operations manager, and program manager.
In 2019, she received her Sacred Passage End of Life Doula certification from the Conscious Dying Institute in Boulder, Colorado. This unique combination of skills is what makes Ellen a natural listener, counselor, and advocate for people of all ages and backgrounds but especially those at the end of life. She is a strong believer in conscious and purposeful living and normalizing the end-of-life process.
Ellen joined the team at Spring Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery in April of 2023 in the administrative office assisting with day-to-day operations, processing interments and contracts. Ellen is a native of Nashville, Tennessee, and enjoys spending time with her husband, two daughters, family dog and backyard chickens. She also enjoys traveling, art history, music, and film.
Richard Staggs
Grounds Crew
Richard Staggs joined Spring Hill in the maintenance department 5 years ago and is on the grounds crew. Richard has 9 years of previous experience. When we asked what attracted Richard to this field, He said: “Being able to work outside.” When asked to give the proudest moment in this profession Richard said: “When I was able to rejoin my crew after surgery.”
Jim Jones
Cemetery Superintendent & Grounds Manager
Jim Jones joined Spring Hill in the maintenance department 6 years ago and is the park Superintendent. Jim has 30 years of previous experience. When we asked what attracted Jim to this field, He said: “My daughter is employed here.”
We illuminate paths to peace with personalized ceremonies and memorial tributes that honor your loved one.
What Families Are Saying
Beth was God sent to us in the middle of the loss of our little girl, everyone here was thoughtful and caring making this hard times a little easier for us. God bless you and keep doing what you do with so much love.
Author: Yoreisi Villa rated with 5 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Kyle Pete was incredible to work with when my mother in law recently passed away. It is am emotional time, and he was really compassionate. He had to ask what services we were looking for. But he never pushed us to get services we didn't need. I would recommend them to anyone in the area.
Author: Kevin Thoma rated with 5 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Kyle helped us this past weekend for a family funeral. He treated our family with respect and kindness on a very difficult day. Throughout the logistical tasks of setting up the visitation time, funeral ceremony, and graveside visit, he maintained a professional, yet warm, demeanor. Thank you
Author: Christy Hassell rated with 5 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Its a beautiful cemetery & a beautiful headstone
Author: Russell Teague rated with 5 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Excellent service. Everyone was very helpful!
Author: Goldie Ursery rated with 5 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Ellen Abbot went out of her way to help my mother. Thank you so much.
Author: Mike Stephens rated with 5 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
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We offer a healthy work/life balance and invite ideas and innovation. Spring Hill Funeral Home & Cemetery is where our team members' purpose and passion unite.