Our Staff

AJ Daoud

President - Funeral Director & Embalmer

AJ started his career in law enforcement and working part-time at a funeral home. As a police officer, AJ served as State President and National Vice President of non-profit police youth organization (PAL).

In 1986, he entered funeral service full time and became nationally known in the industry for writing articles and speaking to several organizations about his progressive ideas about funeral service. Having served various leadership roles in Pilot Mountain/Surry County including past chairman of United Way, past vice chairman for Habit for Humanity, past president of the Pilot Mountain Merchants Association. AJ currently serves as Vice Chairman for the town Planning and Zoning Board.

AJ is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in North Carolina, Virginia, Florida & Texas. His expertise in funeral service has led him to become appointed to serve on several national committees in funeral service organizations. In his career, he has guided and served thousands of families during their time of need.

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Jerry Holcombe

Former Owner & Operator

Jerry worked at Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home during his later years in high school, first mowing the cemetery and helping with grave work. He began serving his apprenticeship after graduating high school in 1958, he attended Mars Hill College and graduated from Cincinnati College of Embalming in 1961. He became a North Carolina Funeral Service Licensee and returned to the family owned funeral service, as a third-generation embalmer and funeral director.

He married Nancy Brown and they had two children; Robert W. ‘Bobby’ Holcombe, who is a retired manager of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home, and Laura Holcombe Huneycutt, who is Assistant Principle of Stanley County Early College. He has 5 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. After Nancy’s death, he married Kaye Phillips. He retired in March of 2020 and currently lives in Burnsville.

Jerry is a member of West Burnsville Baptist Church.

David Risher

Manager - Funeral Director & Embalmer

David started in the funeral profession in 1973, he attended California College of Mortuary Science. He became licensed as an embalmer and funeral director in 1978 in California, where he served his apprenticeship. He managed Stetler Mortuary for 15 years and Santa Paula Cemetery for 4 years. He and his wife relocated to North Carolina in 2002, settling in Barnardsville. Since then, he has managed firms in Asheville, Marshall and Mars Hill. David has been with Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home since 2005, serving the families of Yancey County for over 10 years.

David and his wife share 3 children together: Elsa, Hillary and Erick, along with one granddaughter, Kaydance. In his spare time, he raises and trains Australian Shepherds, competing them in agility, herding and conformation.

Telephone: 1-828-682-2310

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Randy Randolph

Assistant Manager - Funeral Director

Bobby Holcombe

Funeral Director

Kimberly Erickson

Office Manager

Born and raised in Yancey County, Kimberly believes there really is no place like the Blue Ridge Mountains. She grew up on the scenic South Toe river where generations of her family have lived.

She is certified in design, originally planning to pursue a career in engineering, she desired to have a job that gave her the ability to make a difference in people’s lives. It brings her incredible joy and gratification being able to help make families last moments with a loved one all that more special.

She married Todd Erickson in April 2022, who also works at Holcombe Brothers.

Telephone: 1-828-682-2310

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