History & Staff

Since our founding in 1998, we have always remained family owned, family operated, and family focused.  Our relationship with those families we are privileged to serve is one built upon trust, and we certainly do not take that lightly.  We strive always to serve with honor and dignity and to meet the unique needs of each family.  In doing so, we hope to lighten the burden that is experienced in some of our friends' and neighbors' darkest hours.  Thank you for placing your trust in our family.

Our History

Our History

In 1998, building and property in the Tennerton community was purchased and renovations began on the existing structure.  Incorporation was secured in July 1998, and we served our first family in December 1998.  We have came quite a long way from our humble beginnings, but have remained centered around our motto:  "Our Family Caring for Your Family"  As we have served multiple generations from different families, so now is a new generation of our family beginning to serve.  Nicholas Cutright, son of owners Brent and Debbie Cutright, is now a licensed funeral director and embalmer and now, alongside his parents, assists families in their time of need.  We will stand committed to the bonds of trust we have built with families throughout the years well into the future.

Brent and Debbie Cutright, and their son and daughter-in-law Nicholas and April Cutright are always available to serve you.

Our Valued Staff

  • Debbie D.  Cutright

    Debbie D. Cutright Funeral Director, Embalmer, Owner

    Debbie D. Cutright was born in Buckhannon, WV, a daughter of Rev. Robert F. Heavner and the late Betty S. Reger Heavner. She is an alumna of Buckhannon-Upshur High School, West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) and the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science (PIMS). In 1988, she married Brent L. Cutright, and together they have one son, Nicholas. She is the senior licensed funeral director and embalmer at the Heavner and Cutright Funeral Chapel with over 35 years of experience, as well as President of the Corporation. When she is away from work, she enjoys traveling and fishing with her husband Brent, and spending time with their yellow lab Hank.

  • Brent L.  Cutright

    Brent L. Cutright Owner

    Brent L. Cutright was born in Buckhannon, WV, a son of the late Donis J. and Rowena F. Manley Cutright. In 1988, he married Debbie D. Cutright and together they have one son, Nicholas. Brent is a graduate of Buckhannon-Upshur High School and currently Vice President of Heavner and Cutright Funeral Chapel. He enjoys hunting and fishing, and spending time outdoors, especially with his yellow lab Hank.

  • Nicholas T.  Cutright

    Nicholas T. Cutright Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer, Preneed Sales Associate

    Nicholas T. Cutright was born in 1993, in Elkins, WV, the only son of Brent L. and Debbie D. Cutright. He is a 2011 graduate of Buckhannon-Upshur High School, holds a B.S. degree in Accountancy from West Virginia Wesleyan College (Class of 2014), and is a 2015 graduate of his mother's alma mater--the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science (PIMS). He is married to his college sweetheart, April, who assists him at times at the funeral chapel. Nicholas and April attend St. Patrick Catholic Church in Weston. He is a Past President of the Tennerton Lions Club, a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus (Elkins Council #603 and Our Lady of the Mountains Assembly #3159), and a board member of the Mt. Hope Water Association. His hobbies include golfing, fly-fishing, and collecting and restoring antique tobacco pipes.

  • April V. Cutright

    April V. Cutright Funeral Attendant

    April is the wife of Nicholas T. Cutright and assists her husband at the funeral chapel in the evenings and on weekends where she can be found greeting families and friends and assisting with other tasks. April is a graduate of Tygart Valley High School and West Virginia Wesleyan College (B.S. Accountancy), and attends St. Patrick Catholic Church in Weston with her husband. She is also a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood. She enjoys feeding hummingbirds on the porch in the summer and loves to travel.

  • Rev. Robert

    Rev. Robert "Bob" Heavner Aftercare Coordinator

    Bob was born in Frenchton, WV to the late Floyd and Opal Gooden Heavner. After graduating high school, he owned and operated a gas station, hotel, and restaurant with his wife, Betty Reger Heavner. Later, he began working for the US Postal Service, eventually serving as Postmaster of the Adrian, French Creek, and Jane Lew post offices. He attended Duke Divinity School in Durham, NC and was ordained by the United Methodist Church, serving churches throughout Upshur County during his ministry. Though retired, Bob generously donates his time to coordinating aftercare programs and grief support to the families we serve. He is an avid reader and vegetable gardener and also enjoys playing golf with his children and grandchildren.

  • Kelsey Robinson

    Kelsey Robinson Apprentice Funeral Director

    Kelsey was born in Elkins, WV and currently resides in Belington, WV with her husband and two daughters. She was a graduate of the Philip-Barbour High School and the Alderson-Broaddus University (B.S.-Biology). In addition, she is on track to graduate from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in June 2024. When not working, she can be found cooking delicious meals or riding side-by-sides with her family.

  • Larry Hissam

    Larry Hissam Funeral Assistant

    Larry was born in West Virginia to the late Rev. Doy and Hattie Parsons Hissam. He spent many years serving as a Sheriff's Deputy in Upshur County before moving to Ohio with his wife where he worked for a machinist company. Upon his return to Buckhannon, he began working again and since 2022, he has been a dependable member of the staff who assists in the day-to-day operation and maintenance of the funeral chapel and automobiles. He loves to fish and is an avid WVU Mountaineer fan.