Hellum Funeral Home

Address: 611 S. Highland Avenue

The Hellum Funeral Home was founded by J.C. Hellum in 1934. Originally located at 102 E. Sevier Street, Hellum and his wife, Louise, moved their business to 611 S. Highland Street, where they also built a residence, in 1953. At its new location, Hellum Funeral Home was located next door to Holloway High School, Murfreesboro’s all-Black high school, and thus was at the center of Black community activity in Murfreesboro. With its red-brick exterior, the Hellum Funeral Home resembled an African American church, communicating the connection between religion and death in the Black community. J.C. Hellum’s business became so successful that his son, J.C. Hellum, Jr., was able to expand the business, opening branches of the Hellum Funeral Home in Lebanon and Hartsville. After J.C. Hellum, Jr. died in 2002, Wendy B. Hellum took over the business, continuing the funeral home’s legacy. Wendy Hellum also served as the District Governor of the National Funeral Director and Morticians Association between 1994 and 1995. The Hellum Funeral Home is still in operation today.