About Us

Hobart Cawood graduated from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 1928. He soon began working for Newman Funeral Home in Middlesboro, Kentucky. In 1932 he purchased the former residence of J.L Manring, a prominent Middlesboro business man, at 112 South 21st Street. After the purchase of the J.L. Manring home, Mr. Cawood started Cawood's Tri-State Funeral Home. The funeral home grew rapidly the first two years and Mr. Cawood soon found himself in need of assistance. He turned to his father, J. Frank “Pappy” Cawood, who soon joined the funeral home in the capacity of business manager. At this time the name of the funeral home was changed to Cawood Funeral Home. As the funeral home continued to grow Mr. Cawood was joined by his brother Pope Cawood who was a graduate of Gupton Jones College of Funeral Service. Pope was called away from the funeral home during WWII to serve his country in the Navy. Upon his discharge from the Navy he returned to the funeral home.

Hobart continued to operate the funeral home along with his wife, Elnora, until their son Paul Connor Cawood, Sr., better known as Connor, joined the firm in the early 1960's.  In 1965, under the direction of Connor Cawood , the funeral home was completely renovated and remodeled, drastically changing the original structure, to accommodate the changing needs of the families being served. In 1964 Hobart went into semi-retirement turning day to day operations of the funeral home over to Connor and his wife Joan Asher Cawood. 

Today Cawood Funeral Home remains under the ownership and operation of the Cawood Family.  The Cawood Family understands the importance of a quality staff to better handle the needs and requests of the families we serve.  We are very proud of the kind, courtious and professional staff we have.  Putting families first is our number one concern.  We are very grateful to every family that has placed us in their trust at their time of need.