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Our History

In 1906 C. Scott Chambers, a young horse breeder and trainer, left his home in Petersburg, KY on horseback to investigate the purchase of a farm in Lexington, KY and traveled by train from Walton. There he boarded his horse at a Livery, Coal, Feed & Undertaking business until his return. The farm venture didn’t work out. Instead, he made his way back to Walton where he bought half an interest in the Livery, Coal, Feed & Undertaking business where his horse was boarded. Scott attended the Cincinnati College of Embalming and eventually became sole owner of the business.

One of Scott’s daughters, Mary, tagged along with her father whenever she could and was a bright study of the profession. She grew to become part of history herself; she graduated high school at sixteen and started mortuary school, graduating at the age of nineteen. Due to state law, Mary had to wait until she was twenty-one for the state of Kentucky to recognize her degree. In 1925 Mary became the first female licensed embalmer in the state. As a tribute to her accomplishment, and in honor of over fifty-years of service as a licensed funeral director and embalmer, a connector road from interstate 75 to the city of Walton was completed and named Mary C. Grubbs Highway in 1980.

In 1926 Mary married Wallace K. Grubbs, who would also become a licensed funeral director and embalmer. In 1931, the business name was changed to Chambers & Grubbs.

The third generation of the family to continue the legacy was Wallace “Buddy” Grubbs, and Jim Grubbs. In 1963, Jim and his wife Janice (also a licensed funeral director) opened a location in Independence and, in 1996 to better serve the area, they expanded by adding a location in Florence. Their two sons, Steve and Chris, would follow in their parents’ footsteps.

Today, Chambers & Grubbs Funeral Homes continues to provide quality, compassionate care to the families of Northern Kentucky. As the fourth generation to lead the business, Chris Grubbs, President, oversees a professional, highly trained, caring staff. The firm continues to implement modern conveniences into their facilities and processes, while holding on to the ideals set forth by their family’s four generations in funeral service. The Grubbs’ family is committed to excellence and continuing the enduring legacy that began in 1906.

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