Our Staff

In Loving Memory of

Smyth McDaniel (Smitty) Meador

Dave Vanderpool, Director

Dave has served families at John M. Oakey & Son since 2002.  He was born in Waynesboro, Va. and moved to Salem with his parents when he was just two weeks old.  He graduated from Salem High School in 1990, earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Religion from Southern Wesleyan University in 1994, and received an ordination certificate from The Wesleyan Church in 1996.  Dave served as a full-time assistant pastor for eight years.  During his ministry, however, Dave pondered over his passion for funeral service that began even as a teenager.  It was in 2002 that Dave began directing his compassion toward funeral service and joined the John M. Oakey & Son staff as a resident trainee.  He studied mortuary science at John Tyler Community College, was awarded an Associate in Applied Science Degree with a major in Funeral Services in 2005, and received his funeral director's license in February of 2006.  Dave thoroughly enjoys all aspects of funeral service and considers his involvement in it not as an occupation but as a calling.  He and his wife, Beth, live in Salem with their two children, Jillian and Dawson.  He is a member of Salem Wesleyan Church, where he continues to work as a part-time student pastor.  He is also a member of the National Funeral Directors’ Association as well as a charter member of the Civitan Club of Salem.  Dave enjoys photography, camping and hiking, and spending time with his family in his spare time.

E. M. Talley, Jr., Director  

Talley was born in Wise County , VA and raised in Floyd County, VA where he graduated from Floyd County High School .  He entered the funeral business in 1954 and graduated from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 1957.  He entered Life Insurance Sales in Lynchburg and transferred to Greensboro , NC and became district manager in Durham , NC .  He left life insurance sales to join the Nestle Company Sales Department and for 18 years sold coffee and tea products.   He operated a restaurant at Smith Mountain Lake and later returned to food sales in Roanoke .  He became employed with John M. Oakey and Son in Salem and later joined Oakey Funeral Service in Roanoke .  After nine years with Oakey Funeral Service he returned and rejoined John M. Oakey and Son in Salem .  He is married to the love of his life, Hazel Talley and has two grown children and five grandchildren.   Talley is a member of Masonic Lodge and former member of Salem Rotary Club.  He enjoys spending time with his family in his spare time.