From the 1938 centennial edition of The Times-Register.
When the new mortuary of John M. Oakey, Inc., of Roanoke was opened for public inspection during the week from March 1 to 8, thousands of people went through the establishment and say a palatial funeral home with every modern facility for the convenience of patrons.
This firm spent $150,000 on the new structure as the officers of the company are of the opinion that there is an increasing trend toward mortuary funerals and that home and church funerals will gradually decrease.
This business which was founded by John M. Oakey in Salem in 1866 and a branch in Roanoke in 1882, has had a steady and substantial growth until it is now the outstanding mortuary in the southwestern part of Virginia.
Officers
Officers of the firm are Samuel G. Oakey, president; Henry Oakey, vice-president and Clarence M. Oakey, secretary. These three men are the sons of the founder of the firm who located in Salem in 1854. Because of that fact the firm is the oldest one in point of continuous service of any in the county.
Located just to the right of the entrance to their new home in Roanoke, which is on Church Avenue, S.W., is a tablet which bears the following inscription: “In memory of Jno. M. Oakey, founder, this chapel is thoughtfully dedicated to those we serve. John M. Oakey, Inc., morticians, established 1866.”
To tell of all the modern features of the Oakey funeral home in Roanoke and do justice to the magnificent place would require considerable space and a plentiful supply of adjectives. In every respect it is patterned after the latest ideas in mortuary science.
One of the outstanding features of this mortuary is that it is air-conditioned so that the place is kept warm in the winder and cool in the summer. Along with its beautiful and handsome architecture, the mortuary has the modern construction essential to perfect air conditioning.
Music in the chapel is furnished by a most magnificent pipe organ which is electrically operated. This organ was made by the nation’s most outstanding manufacturer of such instruments, and it was tuned especially to suit the architectural design and construction of the chapel.
Appearance Attractive
Most attractive in appearance is the new funeral home to the passerby with a copper-roofed cupola. In the interior the fixtures are most appropriate and the furniture was mostly custom made to give the place the proper atmosphere for a funeral establishment. Heavily carpeted with soft, rich rugs the interior of the building is most impressive and the furnishings are simple but effective.
One of the features of Oakey service which has been offered for some time is the new devices on the motor equipment. While most hearses are open at one end only, the ones used by this firm open at either side, and they are equipped with motor-driven and electro-draulic tables.
When the founder of this firm, John M. Oakey, set himself up in business, he was the first dealer in the section to handle metal caskets. The firm today is endeavoring to follow in the footsteps of the founder by giving the latest in mortuary sciences. They were the first firm to use the above electro-draulic tables in this territory of Virginia.
The public is extended an invitation to inspect the Roanoke mortuary and an attendant at that place will be pleased to show visitors through this new and modern establishment.
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Prepared by Lingjie Gu
