About us

Our history

Nina Littlejohn was a hospital administrator raised in Cherokee County, South Carolina. She was the daughter of Emanuel and Alice Littlejohn who were landowning farmers.

Littlejohn moved to Spartanburg where she created the John-Nina Hospital in 1913. The hospital was the first facility established specifically for African American patients in Spartanburg, SC and the only one licensed in Spartanburg County. As a member of the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce, Littlejohn had regarding civic programs which were beneficial for the hospital's improvement.

The hospital was a two-story building which was built next door to Littlejohn's home. Between 1913 and 1932 the John-Nina Hospital provided medical services for the area's black communities. Patients were housed in two wards, holding a total of twenty people, and eight rooms, with a maximum occupancy of sixteen. The facility was also designed with an operating room which was fitted with the most state-of-the-art surgical equipment and supplies available during that time. The patients were served nutritional meals prepared with home grown vegetables from the hospital's garden.

Interested in better serving her patients, Littlejohn began taking business classes at Claflin College, in Orangeburg, SC to improve her administration of the John-Nina Hospital. By 1932, Littlejohn's hospital was absorbed by the Spartanburg General Hospital, which opened an annex for blacks. Although some denounced her support of this segregated wing, Littlejohn was not deterred and persisted in her work to improve community conditions.

The John-Nina Hospital building was purchased by Mr. M.S. Callaham in 1933. It was at this time, at this location, and in this historic facility, that Mr. Callaham founded his business. It was at this historic landmark that the Callaham Funeral Home operated for the next 74 years; until August of 2007, when a fire destroyed the historic structure. The business was able to continue its operations in its visitation/chapel building, until a new facility was completed in April of 2010. The business has operated at its historic downtown site as its only location during the 78 years of its history.

The Callaham Funeral Home has been passed down through the Callaham family over the 78 years and remains a family owned and operated business to this day. The original founder was Mr. Callaham and his nephew, Leonard Hicks, was its previous owner and under his leadership the business was renamed Callaham-Hicks Home Funeral.

Leeside Funeral Home was established in October of 2020. Our founder, Thomas J. Lee, has always had a passion for serving people. While still in high school at the age of 16, he began to work at Callaham- Hick Funeral home and felt as if he was fulfilling his purpose. He was given a mission to bring relevant funeral service experience to the upstate of South Carolina. We are committed to serving your family and our goal is to provide "a sheltered place for help in your time of sorrow.

On February 10, 2023, Thomas J. Lee procured the Callaham Hick Funeral Home. From that procurement he merged Callaham-Hicks Funeral and Leeside Funeral Home LLC into one entity which is now Callaham Hicks and Leeside Funeral Home LLC. This merger celebrates the rich and storied past of Callaham-Hicks Funeral, it sustains the innovativeness and pioneering efforts Leeside Funeral Home and embraces the future as a 21st century cutting edge and full-service funeral home. The firm continues as a family-owned facility located in Spartanburg, South Carolina committed to serving the entire Upstate and surrounding areas. Offering many services to accommodate your own individual wants and needs, we offer traditional and non-traditional services, cremation services, pre-planning, pre-need funeral arrangements, shipping for out-of-state locations and an on-staff interpreter. We at Callaham-Hicks & Leeside Funeral Home, LLC understand that as individuals we all deserve a celebration of life no matter what service you choose for your loved one. It is our goal to be a dignified caregiver to the deceased and a sensitive and caring server to the living.

OUR MISSION TO FAMILIES

Our deep commitment to excellence and care ensures that you receive the support and guidance you deserve, providing peace of mind during this difficult time. Let us help you celebrate your loved one’s life in a way that brings comfort and healing to those who cherish their memory. Our experienced and caring team is here to guide you every step of the way, ensuring your loved one’s life is honored with dignity, respect, and heartfelt attention to detail. We believe that every life is unique, and we work closely with you to create meaningful tributes that reflect their story and legacy.