Schneider-Hall Funeral Home has roots in county since 1896

By Maddie Cogan, Tribune intern

CHESAPEAKE — The first established funeral home in Lawrence County was located in Getaway in 1896. Before becoming a funeral home, John Edward Schneider owned and operated a general store from the home and made caskets in a building in the back.

After seeing a greater need for the community, Schneider Funeral Home relocated to Chesapeake in 1929 at the foot of the Robert C. Byrd Bridge. The building is still standing and currently houses the Chesapeake Village Hall.

In 1942, a natural gas explosion caused the funeral home to relocate to the current location of Schneider-Hall Funeral Home on Big Branch Road in Chesapeake.

Three generations of Schneiders have been represented in Schneider-Hall Funeral Home. Kathie Schneider Gue serves as the Community Outreach Coordinator.

“I see it [Schneider-Hall Funeral Home] as a ministry,” Gue said. “I am so thankful to be part of my family history.”

Schneider-Hall Funeral Home serves the community in various ways besides providing funeral services. They recently hosted a barbeque, where members of the community came to discuss ways to “beautify” Chesapeake.

“It’s going to be slow, and it won’t happen overnight,” Gue said, “but we can start.”

Schneider-Hall Funeral Home was acquired by Hall Funeral Home and Crematory of Proctorville earlier this year.

“We represent longevity and tradition,” funeral director and embalmer Brady Lipscomb said.

There are 17 staff members between the two locations that represent “over 200 years of licensed funeral experience.”