Our History
We are proud to offer one of the largest, most modern funeral homes available anywhere.
Founded in humble beginnings in 1921, Mercer Funeral Home has evolved over the years to our most recent facility which opened March 21, 1994. Our new facility was designed to place visitors at ease by the home-like atmosphere which is decorated with pleasing colors, a fireplace and the tasteful use of artwork that is displayed through-out the building.
With nearly 14,000 square feet on one level and 4 acres of land, our funeral home is functional enough to accommodate both large and small services. It is also totally handicapped accessible with ample parking.
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Gerald R.(Gary) Boyce, II
Gary began his career in funeral service with Mercer Funeral Home in 1967, is a graduate of Bluefield High School, Bluefield College and Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science, Atlanta, GA. The owner and president of Mercer Funeral Home since 1988, Gary designed and built the modern facility on West Cumberland Road that was dedicated March 21, 1994. Gary is the father of two daughters, Mary Lynn Boyce and Lisa Michelle Watkins, and is married to the former Debra St. John. They have five grandsons and a granddaughter. He is a member of Trinity United Methodist Church.
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Mary Lynn Boyce
Mary Lynn has been with Mercer Funeral Home since 1996 and is a native of Bluefield. She is a 1998 graduate of Graham High School and holds a degree in Business Management from Bluefield State College. She is a licensed funeral director with a degree from Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science and is a second-generation funeral director.She is also a member of the NFDA. Mary Lynn is the daughter of Gary Boyce and Patty Marchal, both of Bluefield. She has one son, Austin and they reside in Bluefield, WV.
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Debbie Boyce
Debbie has been with Mercer Funeral Home since 1994. She is a native of Chilhowie, VA and a graduate of Holston High School in Damascus, VA. Debbie is the Office Manager serves as our licensee for Preneed Life Insurance. She is the wife of Gary Boyce and has a son Brian Minnick that lives in Corpus Christi, TX and have five grandsons and a granddaugther. She is a member of Trinity United Methodist Church.Debbie enjoys flying her airplane and camping in her spare time
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Rev. Edward A. Fisher, Funeral Service Attendant
Ed came to work with Mercer Funeral Home in 2014. He was born in Baltimore, MD and is a graduate of Anne Arundel Community College in Maryland with an Associate Degree in American History, Bachelor of Arts - Christian Education from Sanford University, Alabama, and a Master of Divinity and Christian Education from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kentucky. He began full time ministry in 1990 and is currently Pastoring at Riverside Baptist Church near Chilhowie, VA.Ed currently lives in N. Tazewell, VA.
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Lisa Boyce Watkins
Lisa is a part time funeral service employee joining Mercer Funeral Home in 2005. She is also, a licensed Real Estate Agent and a 1999 graduate of Graham High School in Bluefield, VA. Lisa is the daughter of Gary Boyce and Patricia Marchal, and is married to Shane Watkins and they have a son Braden and a daughter Kensely and now lives in Bluefield, VA.
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G. Ross Boyce, In Memory Of
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Mary Ann Boyce, In Memory of
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Justin Simons
Born in Obion County TNRaised in Auburn Alabama Graduated from Brooke County High School in Follensbee WV.Attended Haywood community college, Clyde NC with a major in Wildlife Management.Deacon team leader and member of Celebrate Recovery leadership team at First Christian Church on Bland Street.Hobbies include hiking , fishing camping and collecting Civil War relics.Grateful to be a member of the Mercer funeral home team so that I can give back to the community that’s given so much to me
