Our Staff
At Claiborne-Overholt Funeral Home, we have provided customizable memorial services for many years. Personalized service options allow you to honor your loved ones in a way that is both meaningful and healing. We hope to provide support and caring while delivering memorial services that celebrate life and help families find the peace they deserve.
If you’re seeking an honorable celebration of life in New Tazewell and the surrounding areas, we invite you to learn more about where we came from and the dedicated people behind our work.
EDDIE OVERHOLT
CO-FOUNDER, FUNERAL DIRECTOR AND PRESIDENT
Eddie is the President and Funeral Director of Claiborne-Overholt Funeral Home, LLC. He is a life-long resident of Claiborne County and a graduate of Claiborne County High School.
He is also a graduate of Carson-Newman University, Clear Creek Baptist Bible College and Lake Charles Bible College. Eddie is married to Rebecca Overholt and they have one son Tyler Overholt. Eddie strongly believes in community involvement and has served on various boards. He presently serves on the Claiborne County Industrial Board and the Lincoln Memorial University School of Business Executive Advisory Board. Eddie's true passion is assisting those who have experienced a loss. He enjoys serving the families to meet their needs in a very caring and compassionate way. Eddie and his family are proud to operate the only funeral home in Claiborne County that is owned and operated by residents of Claiborne County.
Our Promise is to accommodate every family in a meaningful way and to celebrate the lives of their loved ones.
PARLON WIDNER
FUNERAL ASSISTANT
Parlon has been employed at the funeral home for over 10 years. He serves as a funeral assistant on every funeral and memorial service. Parlon has served as a deacon at his church for 48 years now. He enjoys visiting other churches, as well as singing in the churches. Parlon has a passion for farming, raising cattle, working with his horses, and spending time with his grandchildren.
CHESTER GIBSON
FUNERAL ASSISTANT
Chester has been a longtime educator and has recently retired from First Century Bank where he served as a loan officer. He has been assisting at the funeral home since its conception. He enjoys working visitations and meeting with the families. He too has a passion for farming and spending time with his granddaughters.
LILLIAN OVERHOLT
FUNERAL ASSISTANT
Lillian has always enjoyed helping with families at the funeral home. She has been with the funeral home from the beginning. Lillian enjoys spending time in her garden and keeping her lawn immaculate. She attends Cedar Grove Baptist Church.
TYLER OVERHOLT
FUNERAL ASSISTANT
Tyler is a graduate of the 2015 class at Claiborne High School. He is a 2017 graduate of Walters State Community College and a 2019 graduate of Lincoln Memorial University with his degree in business administration. He is currently a student at John A. Gupton College of Mortuary Science in Nashville, TN. Tyler assists with visitations and funeral services, learning the roles of a licensed funeral director and embalmer. In his spare time, Tyler enjoys fitness training, golf and relaxing with his friends on the lake.
AUDREY WIDNER
Audrey has been an employee at Claborne-Overholt funeral home for 4 and a half years. She enjoys her job here at the funeral home for many reasons, but her favorite is the opportunity to interact with families. Audrey is a born again Christian and a member of Grace Missionary Baptist church and holds her church family dear to her heart. Audrey has a passion for cooking, raising a garden and spending time with her grandchildren who she loves dearly. She is the wife, of 60 years, to Parlon Widner whom is also a member of the Claiborne-Overholt staff. Audrey worked at Englands Furniture for 30 years and is now retired from there.
In memoriam
MR. JAMES CLAY NEELY
CO-FOUNDER, 1935-2012
In life, God blesses each of us with personal relationships built upon the foundation of trust and admiration quoted by Eddie Overholt. For decades, Clay Neely and I shared an honorable friendship that embodied the finest of personal and professional attributes. Clay was not merely a business partner, but rather a close and dear friend whose counsel was always deeply appreciated. For those who had the joy of knowing Clay, his infectious laughter served to ease the most trying moments of hardship. Having personally known him since 1975, I will always attest that Clay devoted his professional life to the service of others. Clay was a member of a virtuous generation who willingly placed others before self. The noble deeds to which Clay Neely dedicated his life have served to fully enrich the lives of all who had the privilege of calling him a friend.