About Us
Celebrating life since 1960
As a proud member of the Shelby and Kings Mountain County community since 1960, we're honored to help families celebrate their loved ones. We pledge to ensure that every funeral and memorial service is deeply personal, fostering healing and remembrance.
Our promise
Today, tomorrow, and forever, our commitment to you stays the same.
Dignity
Every life is unique, and we promise to honor and respect each journey, crafting ceremonies that reflect each individual.
Guidance
Navigating grief can be overwhelming; we stand by you, providing direction and solace every step of the way.
Legacy
Beyond a service, we're committed to helping families create lasting tributes that transcend generations.
Our story
We understand the joys and the challenges of the many relationships that touch so many lives. It isn’t just our training that helps us to understand, it's also because of the fact that these relationships so profoundly touch us too. The mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, friends, neighbors and co-workers that all of you are- we are too.
Through the ups, the downs and everywhere in between, we are not just your funeral home, we are your guides and support. We are your trusted confidantes and your family away from home, wherever life’s journey may take you.
For more than 50 years, Clay-Barnette Funeral Home has specialized in providing the very best in care. From our opening in 1960, to present day, we have upheld the very important traditions of the past and developed the new and innovative traditions of the present and future.
With an emphasis on functionality, comfort and aesthetics, our facility on Dixon Boulevard in Shelby was completed in 1998. Our spacious chapel and visitation rooms, state of the art family conference room and merchandise selection center are just a few of the many details that we have included for your ease and comfort. Since opening, we have redesigned aspects of our facility and our service offerings, ensuring that we always meet the growing needs of every person and every family that we serve.
In 2009, we opened our second location in Kings Mountain, with the same commitment to the highest standards of service, professionalism and accommodation. We revitalized the former Trinity Episcopal Church on Phifer Road to incorporate both the historical as well as the modern comforts of the architecture. From the grand chapel adorned with family-treasured stained glass windows, to the care-free rockers on the front porch, we have created an elegant, yet “homey” respite.
With more than 100 years of combined experience, our dedicated team is founded upon perfection- whether it be in the simplest or the finest of details. We invite you to see what makes us positively different and truly distinguished from the others, for an experience that will far surpass your expectations.
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A place of healing
We welcome you to explore the Clay-Barnette Funerals, Cremations, & Aquamation Center facilities, and invite you to discover a comforting and peaceful place to honor your loved one.
Our incredible staff
Helping families create lasting legacies is more than a job — it's our calling. We are here to support you in any way we can and will offer you the full attention, knowledge, and compassion you need.
The late W. Dwight Tessneer
Funeral Director & Embalmer
Noah Saldo
Funeral Director & Embalmer
Charles Lowrance
Funeral Assistant
Leanne Jolley
Office Manager & Aquamationist
Rodney Roseboro
Funeral Assistant
Nikki Hartman
Funeral Director & Embalmer
Eric M. Bester
Owner, Funeral Director & Embalmer NC/SC, Aquamationist, B.M.S.
Since the age of 17, I have always strived to serve families with Reverence and Grace. Over two decades later, after acquiring Clay-Barnette Funeral Home in Shelby, NC, I have continued my core belief in serving our community, by excelling in the work and service we provide.
As a visionary leader, I continually look for ways to enhance our service to our families. In 2019, I, along with my professional team, were honored to be North Carolina's first funeral home provider of Human Aquamation. We were also honored to be the first complete Aquamation facility in the U.S., offering both Human and Pet Aquamation. In the fall of 2021, we expanded our footprint in North Carolina and opened Tranquility Cremation by Aquamation in Wilmington. As leaders in our profession, we now operate the first and second Aquamation system, covering the entire state of North Carolina and the East Coast.
I will always maintain my focus on providing Comfort and Peace to those who experience loss.
Eric
We exist to serve the unique needs of every family
Seamless Arrangements
We'll help you with everything you need with a simple step-by-step process for all of your funeral, cremation and cemetery plans.
Unique Funerals and Tributes
Every individual is unique. Which is why we offer fully customizable memorial services designed just for your family.
Around the Clock Support
We're here to answer any questions and help in any way we can – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Hear from
the families
we've served
“Great place. Eric is very easy to work with.”
Author:— Charles Lowery rated with 5 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“Great group of people all around. Very helpful and made the matter at hand alot easier to deal with.”
Author:— Shane Rogers rated with 5 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“So impressed with the services offered by this funeral home and the caring way they conduct business.”
Author:— Sybil Carroll rated with 5 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“Few words convey the depth of pain after losing a firstborn. Your kindness led us through our greatest heartache.”
Author:— Mary J Eberle rated with 5 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“Clay-Barnette: unmatched support, care, compassion! Grateful for respect and kindness. Thank you for your assistance!”
Author:— Felicia Burnett rated with 5 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“I'd recommend Clay-Barnette e to anybody. Eric and Marty are the best at planning the funeral for your loved ones.”
Author:— Angela Davis rated with 5 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
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Honoring excellence
We’re honored to be recognized for our dedication to excellence and genuine care. Explore the esteemed associations we're a part of, and the awards that celebrate our commitment to the communities we serve.
Clay-Barnette is honored as one of the Best Places to Work in 2023.
We're hiring
Beyond the opportunity to truly make a difference, Clay-Barnette Funerals, Cremations, & Aquamation Center offers competitive pay, a healthy work-life balance, and many opportunities for growth.