History & Staff

We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.

We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.

Our Valued Staff

  • William Summersett  Carter

    William Summersett Carter President / Funeral Director

    William Summersett Carter, Summie is the fourth generation of family to work in the funeral business as a licensed funeral director, and a certified crematory operator. He is President of the Board of Directors. He has been with the funeral home since 1982. Summie is a graduate of Appalachian State University. He is an active member and past president of the Salisbury Civitan Club, president in 2001 and 2002 of the Salisbury-Rowan Merchants Association, a member of the Salisbury Sales & Marketing Executive Association, a 2001 board member of the Salisbury-Rowan Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Catawba Chiefs Board and President in 2004, and a member of the Rowan Regional Medical Center Foundation Board of Trustees. He and his wife Debbie, who also works at the funeral home, are members of First United Methodist Church of Salisbury. Summie is the youngest son of Margaret and Donald Carter.

  • Staton Summersett Carter

    Staton Summersett Carter Sec. Treasurer / Funeral Director

    Staton Summersett Carter is the son of William Summersett and Debbie Carter. He is also a fifth generation family member in the funeral business, serving as a Funeral Director, certified crematory operator, and Secretary Treasurer on the Board of Directors. Staton is a graduate of Appalachian State University with a BA Degree in Communications, Public Relations and of Fayetteville Technical Community College. He began working at Summersett Funeral Home in the fall of 2005 and became a licensed funeral director in 2008. He has served as Vice President of the Cremation Association of North Carolina (CANC) and served on the Rowan County Parks and Recreation Foundation Board. Staton is a member of First United Methodist Church where he serves as Chairman of Church Trustees. Staton is married to Carrie Spencer Carter of Salisbury, who is a kindergarten teacher.

  • Kristen C.  Barber

    Kristen C. Barber Vice President / Funeral Director / Office Manager

    Kristen Carter Barber is the fifth generation of family to work in the funeral business and is a licensed funeral director. She has been with the funeral home since 1997 part-time and became full-time in 1999 after graduating from Catawba College and Fayetteville Technical Community College. She is a member of First United Methodist Church of Salisbury, the Catawba Chiefs club, and is active with the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce as a member of the Leadership Rowan program. Kristen is also the Vice President of the Board of Director's of the funeral home. She is married to Dennis Barber and they have a daughter, Corbin, and a son Evan.

  • Paul E.  Hess

    Paul E. Hess Funeral Director / Embalmer

    Paul Hess has been with Summersetts from 1977-1986 and from 1992 until 2022. He became a licensed funeral director, a certified crematory operator and embalmer in 1976. He is a graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science. Paul is a member of the Salisbury Lions Club, the Samuel Spencer Chapter of National Railway Historic Society, and is a volunteer at the NC Transportation Museum. He has one son, Jonathan.

  • Ed  Childers

    Ed Childers Funeral Director / Embalmer

  • William Kiser

    William Kiser Funeral Assistant

  • Tim T.  McCowan

    Tim T. McCowan Funeral Assistant

    Tim McCowan is a funeral director's assistant. He began working with Summersett Funeral Home, Inc. in 2002. In his spare time he enjoys playing guitar with his band, watching old movies, drawing, and painting.

  • Glenn C.  Taylor

    Glenn C. Taylor Funeral Assistant

    Glenn Taylor is a native of Rowan County. Previously he owned and operated Taylor Tire and Automotive Inc. for 12 years. He has been past president of Rowan Business Alliance and is Past President of Salisbury Kiwanis Club. Glenn is a mason and a member of Fulton Lodge #99, the Scottish Rite, the York Rite, the Oasis Temple and Rowan Shrine Club. He is very active at First Baptist Church of Salisbury where he is currently serving as a deacon, chairman of the ushers, and chairman of Human Resource Committee.Glenn is married to the former Kimberly Spohn of Columbus, Ohio. Together they have three children, Adam, Ben, and Brittany.

  • Thomas Vick

    Thomas Vick Funeral Assistant

  • David A.  Overcash

    David A. Overcash Maintenance

  • Jason  Reid

    Jason Reid Funeral Service Apprentice

  • Frank Kissell

    Frank Kissell Funeral Director & Embalmer