By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–Today, the State of Tennessee celebrated Henry County Monument Works, which has been family-owned and operated in Paris for over 100 years.
Tessa Kyle of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, led a contingent that honored the business at a presentation this morning at Henry County Monuments’ headquarters on Dunlap Street.
Surrounded by hand-lettered monuments and old photographs and pamphlets chronicling the history of the business, a large group of local and area officials were on hand. Paris Mayor Kathy Ray presented them with the city’s Tower of Excellence Award.
The business is now operated by Jay Travis, who said from a young age the thing he wanted to do was “keep the Monument Works going. It gave us such a good foundation as a family” as well as helping people in their time of need.
Established by J.M. McCutcheon in 1924, Henry County Monument Works was one of very few that cut the granite slabs into shape and hand-lettered the gravestones. At his retirement, McCutcheon sold the business to his son-in-law Barton Travis and partner Dee Ford who operated the business for 55 years.
In 1976 Barton’s son, David Travis, graduated from Dentistry School and took over management and day-to-day operations. In 2020, David sold the business to his son Jay who now manages operations while maintaining a dental office.
Jay Travis said with his father’s encouragement, he began learning about setting stones at the age of 15. “I can’t take credit for all this because I’ve only been in charge for the last six years,” he said, noting he’s proud of the legacy his family has shaped over the generations. “We operate as a family, start to finish and I’m glad we’ve been abe to make it over 100 years.”
All manufacturing, lettering, and setting is done in-house, which makes the business unique in this day and age. Henry County Monument works has the largest display of granite and marble memorials in West Tennessee.
David Travis said, “I really appreciate everyone coming here for this. Something like this doesn’t happen very often. We’re all about family and we want to be here for everyone else.”
Photo: Paris Mayor Kathy Ray presents David and Jay Travis (with son Tripp) with the city’s Tower of Excellence Award. Shannon McFarlin photo.