Historical Marker

J. L. Woods' Undertaking Company

Historical marker location:
511 8th St., Somerville, Texas
( 511 8th St. (on Strickland Funeral Home bldg.), Somerville)
Marker installed: 1986

Jebb Lee Woods (1872-1932) came to Somerville in 1900. He began working for his uncle at the Cowboy Merchant Store, where he sold coffins. In 1911 he became the town undertaker and started the first funeral parlor in the county. The practice of embalming first began in 1914 and coffins were purchased from traveling salesmen. A horse-drawn hearse was used until 1929. Woods family descendants continued to operate the business after his death. Later known as Strickland Funeral Home, Inc., it remains a family business.