Our History
Maynard S. Cannon, founder of Appalachian Funeral Home began his career in funeral services at a young age with Pouder Brothers Funeral Service in Johnson City. He received his Tennessee State license in 1915 at age 21 and went to work for McAmmon Funeral Home in Maryville, TN. He married Leah Key in 1917 and worked in Maryville until 1921. In 1921, he, along with Sam Pangle, established Cannon-Pangle Funeral Home in Johnson CIty at the corner of N. Roan St. and Fairview Ave. He established the Appalachian Funeral Home at 305 N. Roan St. in 1926 and operated at that location until 1937. Thanks to a thriving funeral and ambulance service there was a need to expand, and property at N. Roan St. and 101 E. Unaka Ave. was purchased which served as the location for 50 years.
Charles T. (Charlie) Bowman began working with Appalachian Funeral Home in 1939 and married Maynard and Leah's doughter, Marie, in 1942. He served as president of the firm from 1952 until semi-retirement in 1982. He presided over a major expansion in 1956 when a modern chapel was built joining two properties and becoming one of the largest and most versatile facilities in East Tennessee. Charlie remained active in the business on a part-time basis and served as Chairman of the Board for a number of years until his passing in 2010. Mr. Bowman's son, Charles Maynard (Chuck) Bowman began part-time employment in 1966 and joined the firm full-time in 1970 after graduation from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. He became Vice-President of operations in 1976, was named President from1982-2005 until returning to Vice-President until his retirement in 2016. He is married to the former Nancy Webb. They have two sons, Charles M. Bowman, Jr. and Kevin Andrew Bowman. In 1986, the firm purchased Hartman Funeral Home at 800 E. Watauga Ave. and operated as Appalachian-Hartman Funeral Home at this present location before changing the name once again to Appalachian Funeral Home in 1999. The fourth generation of family ownership had Kevin Andrew Bowman serving as President from 2005-2019.
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David Mathes Manager, Funeral Director and Embalmer
David W. Mathes is an Erwin native, the son of Rex S. and Linda J. Mathes, brother of Nancy L. Mathes and the late Elizabeth J. Mathes. He is a 1985 graduate of Unicoi County High School where he was a member of the 1984 State Champion and 1985 nationally ranked and record setting baseball teams. David attended Roane State Community College, Harriman, and East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, on baseball scholarships. He attended The Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science at Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio, and received an Associate Degree in Applied Science in Funeral Service Education from Jefferson State College, Birmingham, Alabama.
David has continued his education and furthered his knowledge of restorative art and reconstruction through seminars and classes offered by the premier artists throughout the country. He is a member of First Christian Church, Johnson City, and is a member of the United Emmaus Community. David serves on the PTA executive board of directors at Indian Trail Intermediate School. Also, he volunteers as coach for Johnson City American Little League. David formerly served on the Board of Directors of Johnson City American Little League, the Board of Directors of Blue Ridge Donor Services, the Johnson City Civitan Club, and is Past-President of the Upper East Tennessee Funeral Directors Association. David was an active participant for many years lecturing classes to troubled youth in the area for the Moral Combat program.
David is married to Lisa Rippetoe Mathes, has one son, Ian Hunter Mathes, and four step children. He is a Tennessee Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer. David has been in the funeral industry full time since January 1, 1987. -
Bethany Nadzan Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer
Bethany is fairly new to the Tri-Cities area having moved to Kingsport in November of 2020. She has lived many places including: Texas, New Jersey, Canada, Illinois and Florida. She is a graduate of Oswego High School in Oswego, Illinois and also has an Associates of General Studies with an Emphasis in Criminal Justice from Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove, Illinois and an Associates of Applied Science in Mortuary Science from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Wheeling, Illinois.
Bethany has been in the deathcare industry since 2005 and has worked for several funeral homes, in both Illinois and Florida where she first learned her love of the industry. She has continued to expand her knowledge and skills, working for the Kendall County Coroner’s Office in Illinois where she assisted the deputy coroner with investigations and court proceedings. She also worked for the Brevard County Medical Examiner’s Office in Florida where she was a Forensic Technician and Diener to the Chief Medical Examiner during autopsies and scene investigations.
Bethany is married to her wonderful husband, Robert, whom she met on a beach in Florida. She is an avid reader and enjoys baking. She also loves spending time with her family and friends, going bowling and mini-golfing, visiting Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, and iced coffee. She dislikes math and heavy traffic. She attends Grace Point Fellowship Church in Kingsport. -
Kristen Bowman Stevens Apprentice Funeral Director/Embalmer
Kristen is a native of Johnson City, TN. She is a graduate of Science Hill High School and also from ETSU with a B.S. in Criminal Justice and Sociology. Kristen has been in the Funeral industry since 2012 and been with Appalachian since 2016. Prior to her funeral career, Kristen worked in her family business at Bowman Jewelers for 11 years.
Kristen has 2 wonderful children Marlee & Jaxon, and is the daughter of Tina Bowman. She is the current President of the PTA at North Side Elementary School.
Kristen received her life insurance license in 2012 and currently does the pre-planning as our Family Service Counselor. She added Administrative Assistant to her role in 2018. In 2020 Kristen started attending John A. Gupton Institute for an Associate of Applied Science Degree. -
Jennifer Howard Family Service Counselor
Jennifer is a native of Illinois, but has lived in Northeast Tennessee since 2000. She is the mother of three beautiful children. Jennifer joined the Heritage family in 2019 and serves as a great asset to our community and families.
