Frye Funeral Home in Nahunta is under new ownership.
Jonathan Roundtree, a native of Ware County, took over the reigns as owner January 2, 2023 of the soon to be 66-year-old funeral home. He is no stranger to the funeral business.
“We’ve known Jonathan for years,” Ernest Frye said of the new owner. “We (Frye family) had several large corporations and several individuals who wanted to buy the funeral home. But, we never felt right until one day while talking to Jonathan the subject of us retiring came up and he said to let him know if we do.
“Virginia (wife) and I felt like we were led to him. He will continue with our families as we would, and he’s a good Christian and family man.”
Roundtree is a graduate of Clinch County High School and a 2000 graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Atlanta. He is a former president of the Academy of Graduate Embalmers of Georgia.
He is a third-generation funeral director. His grandfather, the late Claude Clough, was founder and partner in Clough-Pearson Funeral Home in Blackshear.
Roundtree’s father, the late Felton Roundtree, was the founder and owner of Roundtree Funeral Home in Homerville which opened 1982. He passed away in September of 2020 with his son assuming ownership.
Jonathan Roundtree has been employed at Miles-Odum Funeral Home in Waycross since August 2002. He became a partner in March of 2006 and will continue to be a partner.
“At Frye Funeral Home the same people you have come to know will continue to assist you in the funeral process,” said Roundtree. “The foundation that the Frye family has set for funeral service in the area will continue.”
Roundtree believes local ownership is a key to the success of the business. Also, he believes in supporting other local businesses to help them be successful too. Roundtree looks forward to meeting and serving the community.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to continue a tradition of local ownership and personal service the Frye family has provided since 1957,” the new owner said.
Frye Funeral Home was first started by Guy Chambless as a family owned and operated funeral home back in 1957.
He and his wife, Ruth, ran it as Guy Chambless Funeral Home. After his death, Ruth Chambless and their children continued with the business.
In 1994, daughter Allison Chambless Carter became the sole owner of the funeral home. It was during this time the name changed to Chambless Funeral Home, Inc.
Frye, a long-time employee, took over managing the funeral home in 2000 when Mrs. Carter passed away.
Frye and his wife, Virginia Highsmith Frye, purchased the funeral home from the estate at the request of Mrs. Carter, and continued as a family owned and operated funeral home.
In 2003, Frye was added to the name, thus becoming, Chambless-Frye Funeral Home. The business became Frye Funeral Home in 2008.
“We just felt like it was time to slow down and spend more time with our family,” said Ernest Frye of the decision to sell. “Our health was slowing us down and we couldn’t be there like we wanted with the families that we serve.
“We will continue to be there anytime we are needed. If a family needs us we will still be there when it is possible.”
Roundtree is married to the former Apryl Bateson. She is employed by the Ware County Board of Education as a first grade teacher at Williams Heights Elementary.
They have two daughters, Alyssa, who is a Speech Therapist in the Savannah area, and Clara Grace, who is in the 11th grade at Ware County High School.
