Our History

The history of our funeral home in Odessa began in 1860 when John Jones established the Jones Funeral Home. Initially operating as Watts and Jones, the business was renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship in creating carriages, coffins, and furniture. The legacy was carried forward by John’s son, George Jones, and later by his grandson, Ross A. Jones. The business originally operated out of a location known as the “Shanty” before moving next door to what would eventually become the Odd Fellows Lodge building.

In 1940, Ross Jones purchased a stunning triple-brick century home, built in 1884, located at 178 Main Street in Odessa. This beautiful building has served as the funeral home’s permanent location ever since. Ross, along with his son Donald, continued to run the family business until Ross’s retirement in 1970. After 110 years of dedicated service, with no one to carry on the family tradition, the Jones Funeral Home closed its doors.

Recognizing the continued need for funeral services in Odessa and its surrounding communities, the Thompson family purchased and reopened the Jones Funeral Home. They operated the business for a brief period until 1985, when Paul and Janet Payne, originally from the Toronto area, acquired not only the Jones Funeral Home but also the White and Morris Funeral Home in Deseronto. As the trust of families grew, Paul found it challenging to manage both locations. The Deseronto location was sold to a trusted friend and fellow funeral director, Larry McGlade.

In the 1990s, the Jones Funeral Home in Odessa was renamed the Paul G. Payne Funeral Home, though the original sign, proudly noting its establishment in 1860, still remains in the building today. Paul and Janet dedicated over 30 years to providing trusted, caring, compassionate, and professional service to the community. Odessa has always held a special place in their hearts.

In July 2016, Jason Smith and his wife, Collette (née Hunt), from Tamworth, purchased the Paul G. Payne Funeral Home. Paul and Janet immediately recognized that Jason and Collette were the perfect fit to carry on their legacy. For Jason, this was the realization of a lifelong dream. His genuine care for families and their loved ones is evident, and he takes his role in funeral services with the utmost seriousness. Jason and Collette, along with their two young sons, Hudson and Harvey, moved to Odessa in the fall of 2017 and are proud to call this vibrant community home, while Tamworth remains dear to their hearts.

In their spare time, the Smith family enjoys exploring country roads, relaxing at their family cottage, antiquing, attending auctions, and, most importantly, spending quality time with family and friends. Their commitment to the community and their compassionate service continue to honor the long-standing tradition of the funeral home.