Mayes Mortuary has been part of the fabric of Morristown for decades.

While the current iteration was formed in early 1970s when Herbert and Buddy Mayes purchased Brooks Mortuary, the building stretches back past its history of serving grieving families and has been a doctor’s office, boarding house and, as the oldest remaining brick building, it began its storied tenure as the home of Morristown’s first mayor, John Murphy, when construction was finished in 1866.

Recently water had made its way through a leak in the roof and caused damage to the building and prompted extensive repairs. Mayes set out to set the damage right to preserve the “Ruby Mansion” and provide a better space for families to hold funerals.

“It was just a terrible rain, and then it leaked through all in our chapel,” Manager Emily Klouda said. “So we had to do the front of the chapel. The back end just needed new floors, but the walls and everything are still the same.

“Every family that walks through that door… we treat them like if they were our own family. That’s what we strive to do. Because every family goes through this (and deals with loss and grief), so for me, every family should be treated the same way, no matter what.”

Klouda and the staff hosted a dedication service for the newly remodeled space and ambassadors from the Chamber of Commerce and others.

Funeral Assistant Leroy Davis spoke in the chapel for the service.

“We dedicate this space, not just as a business, but as a sanctuary, a place where stories are told, memories are treasured, and tears are allowed to flow free,” he said. “This facility will be a place where life is remembered, and a life that touches others goes on forever.”

Davis said dedicating the building was meaningful for the staff because it gave them a chance to embrace the work that ministers to people and “show the proper compassion and respect for those families and the deceased.”

“To me, it’s all about dignity and respect and compassion, ensuring that the deceased are honored, and also it being a safe haven for the families,” Davis said. “A lot of times, those of you that work at funerals, you know sometimes it can be chaos, even at the time of death, as families don’t always get along well. It has a lasting impact on the lives that are honored here, and we hope this right comfort and peace, may that be our atmosphere, a place of comfort and peace.”