Our Story

McDow Funeral Home, Inc. was first chartered in 1949 by Thomas C. and Kathleen Bennett McDow, Sr., and was opened for business on February 9, 1949 on South Wayne Avenue in Waynesboro. Shortly thereafter, Douglas R. Tyree, Sr. joined the firm and the name was changed to McDow-Tyree Funeral Home, Inc.

Following the death of Thomas C. McDow, Sr. in 1950, his son, Thomas C. McDow, Jr. joined the firm and, along with Mr. Tyree, continued to follow his father's vision.

The business was moved to its present location in 1966. This was once the location of Waynesboro Community Hospital. The facility was remodeled and expanded that same year, as well as in 1977.

January 11, 1892 - June 13, 1950

Thomas C. McDow was born January 11, 1892, in Lancaster, South Carolina. His parents were George Edward and Mary Craig McDow.

He was educated in the public schools of Lancaster and graduated from the Cincinnati College of Embalming in 1920. He was associated with J.E. Fauber, Inc. in Lynchburg from 1920 until 1945.

He was a veteran of World War I and was a member of the American Legion, the Elks, United Commercial Travelers, the Exchange Club, and the Moose Lodge of Waynesboro. He was a 32nd-degree Mason, a member of the Shrine, the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and a member of First Presbyterian Church of Waynesboro.

He was married to Katherine Bennett McDow. They had two sons, Captain Russell McDow of the Merchant Marine and Thomas C. McDow, Jr. of Waynesboro.

Mr. McDow founded McDow-Tyree Funeral Home in 1949 but passed away the following year. His son, Thomas C. McDow, Jr., joined Mr. Douglas Tyree in the funeral business, and they worked together for many years.

In 1976, a third generation of the McDow family, Timothy C. McDow, joined the firm to help further his father's and grandfather's vision of providing affordable, quality family funeral service to the area. A 1971 graduate of Waynesboro High School, he completed his studies at the School of Mortuary Science at John Tyler Community College, Chester, VA.

McDow Funeral Home continued to grow, thanks to the support of many friends as well as the community of Waynesboro and the surrounding area.

An expansion of the building in 1992, designed for handicapped accessiblility, added additional enlarged viewing areas, a large covered porch, and a public lounge.

In 1997, following the retirement of his father, T.C. McDow, Jr., the late Timothy C. McDow became President and General Manager. Tim passed away in 2003, due to an illness. T.C McDow, Jr. passed away in 2015.