Our Staff

David W Bolyard Jr.

Owner/Managing Director

David W. Bolyard Jr. is president of Mountain Funeral Group, a family of nine funeral homes in Preston, Taylor, and Harrison Counties in West Virginia, and founder of 4LocalObits.com, an obituary publication service that will revolutionize how the world advertises and finds death notices. He began working in the funeral industry upon graduation from Preston High School in 1993 and while he attended Fairmont State University and the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, from where he graduated in 1998. Some of the funeral homes where he got his start – Taylor, Davis, and Bartlett – are now part of his company. On a short hiatus from the funeral business, he worked in the financial industry to gain the knowledge to become a successful business owner. When his grandmother took ill and died, Bolyard felt called to return to his profession. He purchased a fire department and remodeled two buildings of more than 5,000 square feet and opened the Bolyard Funeral Home in 2007. He bought the Rotruck-Lobb Funeral Home Taylor Chapel in Newburg in 2008 and renovated it into his company’s main billing office and a medical clinic. He purchased Davis Funeral Home in Clarksburg and Bartlett Funeral Home in Grafton with a business partner in 2009. The pair added Greathouse Funeral Home in Salem and Dorsey Funeral Home in Shinnston in 2011. They built a human crematory in 2012 and later added a pet funeral home and crematory. In 2014 they opened Affordable Funeral and Cremation Center in Nutter Fort. David is very active in his community, being past president of the Preston Memorial Hospital Foundation and still serves on its board. He is president of the Preston County Commission Building Committee. David owns and operates a 30-bed assisted living facility in Grafton, WV, and residential and commercial rental properties in three counties in West Virginia.

Rev. James Harris

Funeral Director/Embalmer

Rev. Harris is the son of the late Elder Johnnie and Mother Minnie Harris. He is the oldest of eight children.

Rev. Harris is married to Jeanne Harris. He is the father of four children, ten grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. He is the step father of three children, and three grandchildren. 

Rev. Harris is a retired Marine who served our country for twenty-six years and obtained the rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant (E-9).

Rev. Harris is a graduate of the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and is licensed funeral director and embalmer in the state of West Virginia. He was a funeral director and embalmer at J.C. Battles & Sons funeral home in Cincinnati, Ohio, Williams Mortuary in Huntington, WV and Chatman Funeral Home in Logan, WV. 

Rev. Harris has also pastored four churches in the past twenty-five years: John Gee AME church in Gallipolis, Ohio; Henderson Chapel AME Church, Wellsburg. West Virginia, Allen Chapel AME Church, Clarksburg, West Virginia and presently Bethel AME Church, Parkersburg, West Virginia. 

Charles Lowther

Funeral Director/Embalmer

Charles Lowther was born and raised in Elkins, WV and has over 20 years in the funeral business. He is a licensed director in WV and VA. Charles worked in the coal mines for 25 years and his passion is being in the funeral business. His story has a unique twist with his family owning the Lowther farm where Davis Funeral Home now sits. He has a son, Charles II and a lovely grandchild, Ella Grace. He is a current resident of Bridgeport and travels home to the farm in Elkins for relaxation.

Morgan Mayfield

Owner/Funeral Director

Morgan Mayfield is a third generation funeral home proprietor. He is the operator of Morgan Funeral Home of Reedsville, WV and a partner of Mountain Funeral Group. He graduated from Valley High School in Masontown, WV in 1972. He attended West Virginia University and received a Bachelor's degree in Accounting in 1977. He graduated with honors from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in 1979. After finishing his education, Morgan Mayfield took over the family business and had the new facility built in 2000 at its present location. He began his career working for his family owned Morgan Funeral Home but also worked for Taylor Funeral Home in Newburg, WV. When Mr. Richard Taylor fell ill prior to his retirement, Morgan assisted him by taking care of all the day to day business needs for approximately four years. Morgan resides in Reedsville, WV. He also has done contract work for Mancinelli Funeral Home in Morgantown, WV; Browning Funeral Home in Kingwood, WV; and Hastings Funeral Home in Morgantown, WV. He has been a parade marshal for the Preston County Buckwheat Frestival for over 25 years. He continues to serve the people of Preston and surrounding counties with the same dedicated service taught to him by his grandfather, mother, and father. He is an avid sportsman having been an Elk Hunting guide in Wyoming and Idaho. He is a life member of the NRA, an amateur photographer, and enjoys waterskiing. His philosophy is, “Try to put yourself in that first row, where a family is sitting during a funeral service, so that you might always remember how they are feeling during this difficult time and so that you are able to serve them in a way that will help ease the pain of losing a loved one."

Jimmy Mazzie

Insurance and Estate Specialist/Funeral Associate/Organist

A previous funeral home employee since fall of 2009. He grew up in the Northview section of Clarksburg, WV. A 1976 graduate of Liberty High School, where he was feature twirler. He, also, attended Fairmont State College and majored in music education. Retired from Verizon after 30 years of service and last 9 years as a system technician and, also, CWA Local 2011 Union President (from 2002-2008). He is the son of the late Russell J. Mazzie, Sr. and Mary L. (Roveto) Mazzie of Clarksburg, WV. He attends St. James Catholic Church in Northview and has been Liturgical musician (Organist) for over 42 years. He is a member of the Knight of Columbus #872 of Clarksburg and Clarksburg Columbian Club.

Elizabeth Rose Cunningham

Director of Aftercare

A native of Harrison County, Elizabeth Rose Cunningham, brings her skills and life experience to our funeral homes to develop extended services as Director of Aftercare. Founder and president of the non-profit organization, Live Your Live Foundation, Elizabeth has had a successful career as a Certified Events Coordinator and Travel Manager and is currently working toward a Life Coach certification. Formerly, Elizabeth Lynn Huffman, she is an inspirational speaker and published author. Her book, Porch Swings and Fire Flies : Creating Life Out of Loss, chronicles the difficulties and triumphs of her journey as a young widow and mother creating a new life out of loss. She is the mother of Ryan Rose and Jennalea Rose Wallace and the wife of Pastor David Cunningham

Rachelle Diana McIntyre-Nicholson

Attorney and Public Relations Director

Rachelle Diana McIntyre-Nicholson is a lifelong resident of Clarksburg, WV, and is the only child of Stanley Brad and Denise Brown McIntyre, also of Clarksburg. She is a 1995 graduate of Liberty High School, and went on to graduate cum laude with a BS in Business Administration and a minor in Corporate Finance from Fairmont State in 1999. She attended West Virginia University College of Law, graduating in May, 2002, and being admitted to the West Virginia State Bar Association in September, 2002. 

Mrs. McIntyre-Nicholson began her practice in June, 2002, with the firm of Siegrist & White, PLLC, in Clarksburg, West Virginia, and opened her own practice in October, 2004. She specializes in child abuse and neglect proceedings, divorce, child custody and support matters, property law and estate planning. 

Rachelle is married to Jonathan W. Nicholson, of Salem, West Virginia, and they have two children. She will be providing estate planning assistance, probate support and general legal information to families serviced by Mountain Funeral Group and Cremations. 

Denise McIntyre

Funeral Associate / Hairdresser

Annie Mazzie

Funeral Associate

Previous employee of a former Funeral Home for 6 years. A native of Taylor County growing up in Grafton. The daughter of the late Sam and Catherine Veltri. 1969 graduate of Grafton High School. Retired in 2006 with 32 years of service with the Dept. of Health and Human Resources as telephone operator/clerical. Also, works at the Harrison County Court House part-time in the Housekeeping Department. She attends St. James Catholic Church in Northview where she is a lector. She is married to Jimmy Mazzie.

Barbara Dillard

Funeral Associate

Barbara is the daughter of the late James Carl and Ophilia K. Davis. She was born in Clarksburg, WV. She has one sister, Carrol Meeks.

Barbara began her career with Davis Funeral Home in January 2013. 

She began her Federal Career with the U.S. Information in Washington, D.C. in August, 1963. She finished her Federal Career with the Social Security Administration in December 2003.

Barbara graduated from Washington Irving High School in 1963. 

She was married to the late Robert L. Dillard for 45 years. They had one son, Kenneth W. Dillard. They were the grandparents of Tanisha, Kelsie, Kenneth, Jr., and Airon. 

She was a member of the following organizations: PWA, The Black Heritage Festival, RCB, WI, RW, Kelly Miller Scholarship Association, Harrison County Democratic Women, East View Senior Citizens, Kelly Miller Association, Stonewood Lions Club.

Janie Venettozzi Watson

Funeral Associate

Wayne White

Funeral Associate

A West Virginia natvie born in Harrison County. He grew up in the Stealey section of Clarksburg. The son of the late Robert E. and Geneive White. A 1960 graduate of Washington Irving High School. A graduate of Gordon Military College Barnsville, Ga. majored in business, a graduate of Allegheny Technical Institute for Electronics Pittsburgh, Pa. with Electronic Technician Degree. Retired from 3M company with 19 years service as a master Electronic Technician. Retired from Mylan Pharmaceuticals maintenance department as an air handler/filter technician. Was a member of Pace (United steel workers) 5-097 as a union stewart. A licensed WVA Realtor since 1981. Married to Frances Jean Kroll, she is a West Virginia native born in Harrison County. Wayne and Jean attend Trinity Assembly of God in Fairmont. They have two daughters Jennifer L. White and Deborah J. White. They attend Stealey Assembly of God.

Coy Bell

Funeral Associate

Paul "Ditch" Harclerode

Funeral Associate

A West Virginia native and a lifelong resident of Shinnston. Paul, a coal miner retired in 1995 from Consol Energy Robinson Run Mines. Paul started working at the funeral home in 2007. Married his high school sweetheart Karen (Shingleton) Harclerode and they have been married for over 51 years. They have three children and seven grandchildren. He enjoys golfing and camping at Big Bear. Paul loves his family, life and his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Karen L Bolyard

Administrative Assistant/Funeral Associate

Karen L. Bolyard is a secretary and funeral attendant for Bolyard Funeral Home in Newburg, WV and helps out at other locations when needed. She also works part-time as a mail courier in the Morgantown Area for the U.S. Post Office. Karen graduated from Newburg High School in 1975. She previously worked at Preston Memorial Hospital, Rosewood Nursing Home, and Belldina's Pharmacy. She is married to David W. Bolyard Sr., and they reside in Newburg (Birdscreek Community). Karen has three children, David W. Bolyard Jr., Shelley L. Bolyard, and Derek M. Bolyard. She also handles B & S memorials which was founded in 1995.

Joyce A Shahan

Funeral Associate

Joyce A Bolyard Shahan, resides in Fellowsville with her husband Pete. Joyce recently retired as Postmaster at Arthurdale Post Office. Very active member of Harbor of Life Church. She is currently attending West Virginia Christian University. Joyce and Pete have two grown sons, Travis and Troy.

Debbie K Hurst

Housekeeper

Debbie K. Hurst, working in the funeral home since the fall of 2009, joined Davis Funeral Home in 2014. She grew up in the Eastview section of Clarksburg, WV. A 1982 graduate of RW, Roosevelt Wilson High School. Married R. Taylor Hurst of the Eastview section of Clarksburg, WV, and they have two children. Debbie is also, a part time in home care for adults, working for the Harrison County Senior Citizen’s Center. Debbie is the daughter of the late Ernie & Ellen Grose. Debbie attends a church in Clarksburg.