Noel B. Godby

Former Owner, Funeral Director, and Embalmer

Noel B. Godby, a Russell County native, began his career as a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in 1976, under the watchful eye of his father-in-law, Kenneth Bernard, the founder of Bernard Funeral Home.  Prior to graduating from the Kentucky School of Mortuary Science, he and his family lived in Louisville, where he worked as a barber while attending mortuary school.  Eventually, he moved his family back to Russell Springs and begin working along side Kenneth and Eula Mae Bernard.

Noel and his wife, Barb, wed in 1964 and have two children, Leslie (and Willie) Hurt, and Eric (and Euretha) Godby.  The have also been blessed with six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.  Noel is a member of the Russell Springs United Methodist Church and the Russell Springs Masonic Lodge #941 F. & A.M..  He enjoys fishing, watching University of Kentucky Wildcat basketball, and spending time with his family.

Noel retired in November 2020 with forty-four years of service to the community. He still enjoys helping at the funeral home when he gets a chance.

Telephone: 1-270-866-3110

Email: 

Jimmy Matney

Former Owner and Funeral Director

Jimmy Matney, an Adair County native, began his career as a Licensed Funeral Director at Bernard Funeral Home in 1992.  Prior to this, he worked in the knitting department at Fruit of the Loom, in Jamestown.  Jimmy and his wife, Johnna, wed in 1982, and have three children, Jason (and Rebecca) Matney, Adam (and Pam) Matney, and Tyler (and Christin) Matney; and eight grandchildren.  Jimmy is a member of the Russell Springs United Methodist Church.  He enjoys fishing and spending time with his grandchildren. Jimmy retired from Bernard Home in November 2020, but still comes by and visits from time to time.  

Telephone: 1-270-866-3110

Email: 

Aaron W. Cain

Owner, Funeral Director and Embalmer

Aaron Cain began his career in funeral service at McKinney-Brown Funeral Home, in Liberty, in 2014. He is the co-owner of Bernard Funeral Home in Russell Springs and is a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer. Aaron is a graduate of Casey County High School and Mid-America College of Funeral Service in Jeffersonville, Indiana.  He is also a licensed Insurance Agent in the State of Kentucky. Aaron is married to Jessica Watts Cain and together they have two daughters, Hazel Grace and Harper Mae Cain. He is the son of Bud and Kathy (Hatter) Cain, of Liberty. Aaron, along with his wife and daughters, reside in Russell Springs.  He enjoys spending time with his family, fishing, working his Belgian horses, and playing southern gospel music. Aaron is a member of The Gideons International. Aaron and his family are members of Russell Springs First Baptist Church. 

Telephone: 1-606-706-8042

Email: 

Curt Demrow

Owner, Funeral Director and Embalmer

Curt Demrow grew-up in the funeral business and is a 2nd generation funeral director. He is a 1996 graduate of Mid-America College of Funeral Service and holds his funeral director and embalmer's licenses. He has been in the funeral business since 1994 and at McKinney-Brown Funeral Home since March 2011. He is also the co-owner of Bernard Funeral Home in Russell Springs. Curt is the Casey County Coroner and was also Deputy Coroner for 10 years in Lincoln County. He and his wife, Jaime, live in Liberty and have three daughters, Molly, Gracie, and Sophie. He enjoys UK Basketball, mowing his yard, and being with his girls. Curt is a member, Usher, and Trustee at Liberty First Baptist Church, the Masonic Lodge, and Oleika Shrine Temple. Curt also is a member of the Kentucky Mass Fatality Incident Response Team.

Telephone: 1-859-707-8608

Email: 

Jill Emerson Flynn

Funeral Director

Jill Emerson Flynn is a Pulaski County native whose parents have roots in Russell and Casey Counties. Jill joined Bernard Funeral Home in February of 2021.  She is a licensed funeral director, a licensed crematory operator and life insurance agent. She started work in the funeral service industry in 2007. 

Jill resides in Nancy with her husband, Mike Flynn, and their children, Marshall Maguire and Ava Maguire.  They are all active members at Bethlehem Baptist Church in the Naomi Community of Nancy.  Jill works with the younger and older youth groups at church and enjoys singing in the choir.  She loves listening to all kinds of music and reading.

Telephone: 1-606-875-6519

Email: 

Kelly Coots

Apprentice Funeral Director and Embalmer

Kelly Coots is a native of Russell County. She began working at Bernard Funeral Home in November 2020 and serving her apprenticeship in February 2021. She formerly worked in the medical field for twenty-two years, working the last twelve years at Commonwealth Cancer Center. Kelly is married to Mark Coots and they have four children; Taylor, Brendan, Camryn, and Evan; and three grandchildren, Jace Anthony, Grady William, and Abigail Grace. Her parents are Meridth Hopper and the late R.B. Hopper. She enjoys spending time with family, going to church, singing, crafting, and spending time outdoors. Kelly and Mark attend Fairview Baptist Church.

Telephone: 1-270-866-1529

Email: 

Melinda McCowan

Funeral Director and Embalmer

Melinda began working at Bernard Funeral Home in 2022. She resides in Danville, with her husband, Anthony McCowan and her sons, Blake and Kade McCowan. She is a 2006 graduate of Kent State University and a 2007 graduate of John A Gupton College. Melinda is a member of Indian Hills Christian Church in Danville. She enjoys camping, gardening, and watching her sons in all their activities. 

Telephone: 1-270-866-3110

Email: 

Jessica Cain

Administrative Assistant

Jessica Watts Cain grew up on the family farm in the Berry Hollow Community of Lincoln County. She is a 2010 graduate of Lincoln County High School and graduated from Eastern Kentucky University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science degree. Jessica is married to Aaron Cain, and they have two daughters , Hazel Grace and Harper Mae Cain. She is the daughter of David and Tonya Watts, who reside in Stanford. When not caring for their young daughters, Jessica can often be seen in the office at the funeral home. Jessica is also responsible for the funeral cakes that families are comforted with upon passing of their loved one. She previously worked with special education students in the Casey County School System before joining the staff of Bernard Funeral Home. She enjoys spending time with family, going to the lake and traveling. Jessica is a member of Russell Springs First Baptist Church and The Gideons International Auxiliary. 

Telephone: 1-270-866-3110

Email: 

Charles Shepherd

Ambassador

Charles Shepherd is a Russell County native. He is a 1975 graduate of Russell County High School. Charles began working at Bernard Funeral Home in 2013. He is a retired paramedic with the Russell County Ambulance Service with 30 years of service. Charles is married to Brenda Rooks Shepherd and they have four children, Heather, Brandon, Eric, and Faith; and three grandchildren, Ethan, Ezra, and Emmett. He and his wife reside in the Sano Community of Adair County. Charles is a member of Free Union Separate Baptist Church, Hood Masonic Lodge # 839 F. & A.M. and Gideons International.  Charles enjoys singing gospel music and is the tenor singer with the Southern Heirs Quartet.  

Telephone: 1-270-866-3110

Email: 

Charles Smith

Ambassador

Charles M. Smith is a native of Russell County.  Born and raised in Eli, he was one of nine children.  Charles is married to Jo Nell Grider Smith.  They have one son, Jonathan Smith, his wife Shelley; and two grandsons, Colby Smith, and Jackson Smith.  Charles is a United States Army veteran, who was stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War.  He is a member of Russell Springs First Baptist Church, serving as a deacon there for over 40 years.  He is also a retired employee of the Kentucky State Parks system. Charles is well-known in our community, having been elected in 1994 as Russell County Judge Executive.  Even though he has been retired for several years, he continues to remain busy, doing maintenance and construction work.  When he is lucky enough to have spare time, he enjoys riding horses.

Telephone: 1-270-866-3110

Email: 

Bill Mullins

Ambassador

Bill Mullins is a native of Ashland, Kentucky. He and his family resided there for 28 years before moving back to Russell Springs in 2011. Bill is married to Kristal Bunch Mullins, and together they have four children and one grandchild. Bill worked two years in the funeral industry while living in Ashland. He also worked in law enforcement for eight and one-half years. Bill has been serving as the full-time pastor of Fairview Baptist Church for the past five years. In his spare time, Bill enjoys spending time with his family, umpiring baseball and softball games, and cutting his lawn. 

Telephone: 1-270-866-3110

Email: 

Ed Parton

Ambassador

Ed Parton is a Casey County native. He and his wife, Wanda, live in Liberty, and together, they have four children, and nine grandchildren. Ed has been in the ministry for over 40 years. He recently served as pastor of Jamestown United Methodist Church and Bethel United Methodist Church. Ed has many friends in the Russell County area and resided in Jamestown while pastoring there. He began working at Bernard Funeral Home in July 2021. Ed can best be described as a “people person” and enjoys spending time with his family, being outdoors, and mowing his lawn. Ed and his family attend Brush Creek Pentecostal Church in Liberty. 

Telephone: 1-270-866-3110

Email: 

Mark Hadley

Grave Services

Mark Hadley, an Adair County native, has tended the opening and closing of graves for Bernard Funeral Home for 21 years.  He and his father, Kermit “Cub” Hadley started digging for Kenneth Bernard.  The Hadley family is now in a third generation of caring for the interments of Bernard Funeral Home.

Mark is married to Tracy Franklin Hadley.  He has four children, Blake, Josh, Skylar and Casey.  The Hadleys attend Free Union Separate Baptist Church.  Mark is on the cemetery board for Free Union Cemetery and keeps the Campbell Cemetery maintained.

Mark enjoys heading out to his cabin for relaxation, where he can hunt and fish and host family get-togethers.

Telephone: 1-270-866-3110

Email: