It is seldom that someone has the heart to invest their personal vision with a West Columbia, Cayce institution that has had a profound impact on our local history. But that’s what happened when Mark Smith opened McAlister-Smith Funeral Home in the historic site of Thompson Funeral Home, at 200 State Street. The funeral home has roots that go back to 1886. Reopening it has been a positive development to the West Columbia community. Along with the revitalization of the building, Smith has brought back some warm and familiar faces.

“I am truly honored and excited to officially welcome two exceptional local, life-long funeral service professionals, John Halloran and Jeff Temples, to the McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation team in West Columbia,” Smith said. “Both were born and raised in the local area, and their deep roots in the community will make them invaluable assets to our family-owned and operated funeral home.”

“Jeff and John are well known members of the Greater Cayce-West Columbia area, and both are renowned for their expertise in the funeral service industry, which all blossomed from their humble beginnings around Cayce and West Columbia. And both have worked in the historic 200 State Street building.”

To introduce Jeff and John, there will be an Open House and Meet and Greet at from 4-to-6 p.m. at McAlister-Smith Funeral home on the afternoon of March 5.

Jeff’s Biography

Jeff, a Brookland-Cayce High School graduate delivered papers along the State Street corridor before becoming familiar with and later involved in the funeral services industry. He attended Gupton Jones School of Mortuary in Atlanta.  He is excited to return to his home roots with the expertise he has in his field. “Who would have ever imagined our small community becoming such a vital part of the Midlands and the growth we have realized because of it”, said Jeff.  

John’s Biography

John, after years of managing other area funeral service operations, is excited to come back to the historic “Thompson” building and join the McAlister-Smith team. He brings along his talents in the funeral profession, as well as years of leadership.  John also lives in West Columbia. “Cayce-West Columbia is my community,” he said, “and it is an honor to come home to serve the people of my home.”

McAlister-Smith has long had a culture of personal relationships and you will see the personal touch with Jeff Temples and John Halloran. Both understand that trust is critical when funeral services are needed and both value relationships. The men are friends, and they are accessible to the people of their community, as much as they are funeral professionals. said Smith.

The attributes that Jeff and John contribute are what Mark Smith was looking for to fulfill his vision.  As a state legislator, Mark spends many nights in the local area. During those times he has dreamed of updating the “Thompson” building to fit the needs of today, while making sure the building retains its emotional connection that the community has with the “Thompson” building’s past.

“You truly can go home again,” said Smith, “you just need to bring along those who remember what home is all about, and what it means to the community. And John and Jeff will play a key role in leading and expanding our historic Lowcountry-based funeral home into the Midlands.”

MORE INFO About the Thompson Property from Mark Smith:
“As many of you know, the national funeral home corporation that once operated Thompson Funeral Home chose to vacate the location on State Street, opting not to renew their lease. During my time as a member of the SC House of Representatives, I often passed by this building on my way to the Statehouse. Over the course of two years, I couldn’t help but feel saddened by the sight of such a beautiful, historic building—once a trusted place for local families during their times of need—standing vacant.

Determined to restore this local institution, I reached out to the property owner, John David Thompson, and after productive discussions, we agreed on favorable terms to lease the building. Since then, we’ve been working diligently to breathe new life into this location, and the community’s warm and welcoming response has been overwhelming.

As the saying goes, when one door closes, another opens. I’m thrilled that, after two years of expanding our business into the Midlands, I now have the opportunity to fulfill a special part of our vision: bringing on board two highly respected local funeral directors who, in fact, began their careers right here in this very building. It’s a true blessing to welcome John Halloran and Jeff Temples to the team—bringing the legacy of compassionate, local care full circle.

Please join me in welcoming John and Jeff back to where it all began for them. With their leadership, we are committed to providing the same exceptional care, dignity, and respect that families in this community have come to expect, right here at our historic location at 200 State Street.”

More about Jeff Temples – Funeral Director and Embalmer, License #1902

With over 42 years of experience in the funeral services industry, Jeff Temples is proud
to return to the place where his career began. In the early days, 200 State Street was
home to Thompson Funeral Home, operated by John David Thompson. Today, that
location is part of McAlister-Smith, a name synonymous with family legacy and trusted
funeral care in the Lowcountry of South Carolina.

A native of the Cayce-West Columbia area, Jeff has deep roots in the community. He
grew up locally, attended church here, and graduated from Brookland Cayce High
School. As a young teen, he delivered newspapers in the Mill Hill and along the
Avenues, and he credits this close-knit community with providing him a strong sense of
direction and purpose. These early experiences shaped his lifelong commitment to
helping families during their most difficult times.

After graduating Brookland-Cayce high School, Jeff attended Gupton Jones School of
Mortuary Science in Atlanta, Georgia, and returned home to work in the funeral service
industry. Since 1982, he has dedicated his career to the people of Cayce, West
Columbia, and the surrounding areas. With 14 years as a General Manager and a
strong leadership role on the South Carolina Funeral Board, including two terms as
President, Jeff’s expertise has been invaluable in shaping the local funeral service
community.

Outside of work, Jeff enjoys spending time on his family farm in Cameron, where he
hunts, cares for his many cats, and embraces rural life. He also has a passion for
restoring homes, taking pride in bringing older properties back to their original beauty.
As longtime resident, Jeff has witnessed firsthand the remarkable growth of the area.
“Who could have imagined 40 years ago that the midlands would encompass nearly a
million people?” he reflects. As the area continues to evolve, Jeff and the team at
McAlister-Smith are honored to be part of that growth and to serve the families of the
area.

Jeff is proud to work alongside Parker Smith and Representative Mark Smith, two
leaders dedicated to providing compassionate care and comfort to families in their time
of need.

More about John B. Halloran – Funeral Director | General Manager | Licensed in SC & NC

Born and raised in Columbia, John B. Halloran is the son of the late Richland County
Judge Jack Halloran. A proud graduate of the old Columbia High School, John went on
to attend Newberry College, where he was a member of the Indians Basketball Team.
John’s career in funeral service began in 1969, and after three years in the industry, yet
transitioned into successful sales roles with General Mills, Royal Doulton, and
Pfaltzgraff. Returning to the funeral industry in 1998, bringing with him extensive
experience in sales and management. Over the course of his career, John has
accumulated more than 30 years of service in the funeral profession. He holds funeral
director licenses in both South Carolina and North Carolina, along with a preneed sales
license in South Carolina.

John has served the Midlands families in various roles, including funeral director,
assistant manager, funeral home manager, and general manager for funeral
home/cemetery operations. He is honored to have recently joined McAlister-Smith
Funeral Home at the historic State Street location, where he’s excited to be a part of the
team once again, having previously worked in this area for a national group that
acquired the former Thompson Funeral Home.

John and his wife of 48 years, Betsy, reside in a historic home on B Avenue, in West
Columbia, once the site of the Pryor Piano Company. Living and working in the historic
Cayce/West Columbia area has been an exciting chapter for both. Together, they are
members of Washington Street United Methodist Church. John is also a former
Rotarian, having served in the Eau Claire and Spring Valley Clubs for over 20 years,
and is a Paul Harris Fellow.