Neal-Tarpley Funeral Home Collection

John Boone Tarpley (b. April 14, 1878, d. December 31, 1960) is listed in the 1910 Census record as an embalmer lodging alongside a funeral company bookkeeper, two funeral company coachmen, and a marble yard employee at 222 North 6th Avenue in Clarksville. By 1917, Tarply was operating as an undertaker and renting a house at 312 Franklin Street. In the 1930 Census, Tarpley's daughter Elizabeth is working as the bookkeeper for the family-owned undertaking business at 335 Franklin Street and his son Lynnwood is listed as the proprietor of a florist store next door at 331 Franklin Street. The 1940 Census record shows Lynnwood now working as an embalmer, which indicates he was involved in all aspects of the funeral home business.

The 1929 Clarksville City Directory lists Tarpley's Florists & Funeral Directors at 335 Franklin Street with John B. Tarpley as the manager and Lynnwood J. Tarpley as assistant manager. John B. Tarpley died on Decembe 31, 1960. The business continues to appear in the city directories through the 1980s. Lynnwood Tarpley eventually opened Tarpley's Florist shop at 1460 Madison Street. The renamed Neal-Tarpley Funeral Home first appears in the 1985 City Directory. Current funeral director Miker Parchman worked under former owners Lonnie and Judy Neal before taking over as owner and operator. The Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home's website makes note that Parchman is related to the Tarpley family.