On March 4, 2024, the Van Alstyne Historical Museum Directors, Teddie Ann Salmon and Jo Bell, presented Tommy Scoggins and the Van Alstyne Cemetery Association the Texas Treasure Business Award for the Scoggins Funeral Home. This award was sponsored by the Van Alstyne Historical Museum and given to this business because it has served the community continually for over 100 years.
In 1873, Dave Lewis built a blacksmith shop in Van Alstyne at the southwest corner of Main and Marshall Street. It was replaced by a larger building just south of that location. The building also housed the undertaking establishment of Mr. C.C. McCorkle. Mr. McCorkle, the first undertaker, merged with S.L. McKinney. This was in 1885. Later, the Van Alstyne Undertaking Company became the co-partnership of S.L. McKinney and Lee McKinney. The business sold on September 17, 1925, to R.R. Waldo and O.S. Yoder. Mr. Waldo sold his interest to A.R. Hill and then Mr. Yoder bought out Mr. Hill.
Mr. Yoder and his son, Howard, conducted this business located on Marshall Street, along with their Chevrolet business, until 1935. The sold to L.K. Fox (their mortician), Inez Fanning Fox, and Mr. Albert Fanning. It was renamed Fox-Fanning Funeral Home in 1936. Shortly thereafter, the business moved. They converted the Slaughter residence, located at 226 Dallas Street, into a funeral home. Mr. and Mrs. Fox operated the business until January 1, 1953, when they sold the business to Don S. Flesher. On February 1, 1973, Flesher Funeral Home moved into their new building, located at 637 West Van Alstyne Parkway. On November 1, 2011, the Flesher Funeral Home was sold to Tommy and Bobbie Kay Scoggins. It is now known as Scoggins Funeral Home and Crematory. It is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to serve the needs of the community.
Article by: Teddie Salmon
Pictured L-R Back-Front: Mayor Jim Atchison, Zach Herring, Dusty Williams, Dora White, Kitty Alexander, Casey Scoggins (VP Van Alstyne Cemetery Association), Billy Turner (Secretary VACA), Jo Bell (VP Van Alstyne Historical Museum), Teddie Salmon (Pres. VAH Museum), Linda Hynds