Our Staff
Our dedicated and supportive staff are here to guide you through this difficult journey. We take pride in doing our absolute best to ensure your needs are met. We are here for you.
Robert W. Barnes
A native of Watauga County, Bob has been in funeral service since 1968. A graduate of Cincinnati College of Embalming, Bob also holds an Associates Degree in Business Administration from Caldwell Community College. He is a licensed funeral director, embalmer, pre-need specialist, certified crematory operator and a notary public. Bob lives in Boone with his wife Vivian. Bob is a member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, and the Knights of Columbus.
Bruce Shomaker
A native of Banner Elk (Avery County) Bruce originally served his funeral apprenticeship (1986) with and returned to Austin & Barnes in 2014. Prior to his return, he served (more than 25 years for) the funeral industry in Virginia. Bruce is a 1988 graduate of the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and holds an Associates Degree in Mortuary Science, is a licensed funeral director, embalmer, and pre-need specialist, and certified crematory operator. He resides in Banner Elk with his wife Kelley. Together, they have three daughters, four grandsons and three granddaughters.
Jordan Rudel
Graduated Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service in Houston, Texas with an Associates Degree in Mortuary Science. Jordan has been in funeral service since 2015 and is a licensed funeral director, embalmer and pre-need specialist, and certified crematory operator. A native of Alice, Texas; he now resides in Fleetwood with his wife, Patricia. Together, they have a daughter and a son.
Tessie Rudel
Graduated Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service in Houston, Texas with an Associates Degree in Mortuary Science. Tessie has been in funeral service since 1992 and is a licensed funeral director, embalmer. A native of Bishop Texas; she now resides in Fleetwood with her husband John. Together, they have four sons, three granddaughters and two grandsons.
Kelley Gruelle Shomaker
A resident of Avery County and native of Boone County, Kentucky, met and married Bruce Shomaker in 1985. Together they have three daughters, Olivia Shivar (Stephen), Chelsea Mcguire, Grace Greene (Ben), four grandsons and three granddaughters. Kelley joined Austin & Barnes as the Office Manager after 10 years with Avery County Schools as the Bookkeeper at Banner Elk School.
Michael Townsend
An active Minister guiding Meat Camp Baptist Church, Mike assists us with various aspects of funeral service.
In Heartfelt Memoriam
Johnnie R. Austin
1933 - 2002
Carolyn Greene Austin
1936-2022
James D. Hagaman
1936 - 2011
Beacher L. Matheson
1938 - 1994
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