Three Locations Add to Growing Anthem Footprint in California
Anthem Partners, a premier operator of funeral homes and cemeteries, is pleased to announce that it has acquired the three locations of Sterling & Smith Funeral Directors, Inc. The acquisition adds locations in Fresno, Tulare, and Dinuba.
“We are pleased to welcome Sterling & Smith Funeral Directors into our Anthem family. Our two companies have similar values, including an unwavering commitment to serving families,” stated Will Andrews, President of Anthem Partners. “We look forward to working with the talented Sterling & Smith team to continue to deliver the highest level of service to the families in the San Joaquin Valley.”
“When my wife and I met with Will Andrews, we felt comfortable that Anthem Partners would be a good fit for our company. Our team is our extended family so it was important to find a partner who would value and treat them the way we do,” said Ronald Smith, President of Sterling & Smith. “Finding a partner that would remain active locally was equally important, as giving back to the community has always been our key tenet.”
Sterling & Smith Funeral Directors is a family-owned business founded in 2005 by Dr. Noel and Gloria Smith along with their sons, Ronald and Robert. The family opened the first Sterling & Smith Funeral Directors location in Fresno to provide high-quality funeral and cremation services to families in the San Joaquin Valley. In 2011, a second funeral home was opened in Tulare to serve the south valley community. In 2014, Sterling & Smith opened a third location in Dinuba. Since its inception, Sterling & Smith has been dedicated to helping families through the grieving process while planning a celebratory final farewell for their loved ones.
“During due diligence, Anthem’s team approach to obtaining information was great as I did not have multiple people asking for the same information,” added Smith. “The procedure took a little longer than expected, but that is due to their thoroughness. I am pleased that they did not rush as it validated our belief that Anthem was the right partner for us!”
“Anthem Partners is always looking to explore partnerships with the best independent funeral home and cemetery operators in our profession,” added Andrews. “Ronald Smith and his partners at Sterling & Smith embody the culture of what we look for in our funeral operations. They will make a great addition to the Anthem Partners team.”
About Anthem Partners: Anthem Partners is a privately-held operator of cemeteries and funeral homes. Founded by a group of industry professionals and backed by long-term, patient investors, Anthem Partners is actively seeking opportunities to grow with like-minded professionals and firms who share their vision. The founding principles of Anthem Partners are respecting the unique history of the family businesses and acknowledging the lives lived in the communities they serve. To learn more, visit anthempartners.com.
