1805
North A Street, Fort Smith, AR 72901
phone. 479.783.6178
fax: 479.784.2625
Fentress
Mortuary is located exactly 6 blocks from the heart of downtown
Fort Smith. Fentress Mortuary was constructed in a "Dutch"
Architectural style, using yellow brick and stucco panels, and
was one of the first buildings of this type constructed in Fort
Smith. Oscar and Mae Fentress arrived at the decision to build
their funeral home using this style of architecture after going
and seeing other funeral homes virtually all over the United
States. The entire upstairs part of the building was dedicated
as a living space for Mr. and Mrs. Fentress as well as sleeping
quarters for the staff. The chapel at Fentress Mortuary is handicapped
accessible as is the rest of the building. The chapel features
a very high vaulted ceiling with huge exposed wooden beams and
beautiful stained glass windows on both sides. The mural on
the wall behind the alcove where caskets are situated for services
was done by a well known artist of the day named Roy T. Sheddy.
That mural is intact today and is very much a part of the overall
ambience of that room. The adjoining family room and stateroom
adjacent to the chapel are paneled in solid walnut. The large
stateroom next to the chapel was once an open-air courtyard,
but was closed in and roofed as the business grew and demanded
more space. There are two additional smaller staterooms available,
both of which can be divided to accommodate a large volume of
business at once. Fentress Mortuary was designed to do just
that, including wide hallways and doorways, also all trimmed
in solid walnut. While being "period" in appearance
in regard to the style of architecture, to this day Fentress
Mortuary continues to be a deeply anchored tradition with multiple
generations of Fort Smith families.
Fentress
Mortuary is located exactly 6 blocks from the heart of downtown
Fort Smith. Fentress Mortuary was constructed in a "Dutch"
Architectural style, using yellow brick and stucco panels, and
was one of the first buildings of this type constructed in Fort
Smith. Oscar and Mae Fentress arrived at the decision to build
their funeral home using this style of architecture after going
and seeing other funeral homes virtually all over the United
States. The entire upstairs part of the building was dedicated
as a living space for Mr. and Mrs. Fentress as well as sleeping
quarters for the staff. The chapel at Fentress Mortuary is handicapped
accessible as is the rest of the building. The chapel features
a very high vaulted ceiling with huge exposed wooden beams and
beautiful stained glass windows on both sides. The mural on
the wall behind the alcove where caskets are situated for services
was done by a well known artist of the day named Roy T. Sheddy.
That mural is intact today and is very much a part of the overall
ambience of that room. The adjoining family room and stateroom
adjacent to the chapel are paneled in solid walnut. The large
stateroom next to the chapel was once an open-air courtyard,
but was closed in and roofed as the business grew and demanded
more space. There are two additional smaller staterooms available,
both of which can be divided to accommodate a large volume of
business at once. Fentress Mortuary was designed to do just
that, including wide hallways and doorways, also all trimmed
in solid walnut. While being "period" in appearance
in regard to the style of architecture, to this day Fentress
Mortuary continues to be a deeply anchored tradition with multiple
generations of Fort Smith families.