Our Team

Tom Lord

Owner

Licensed Funeral Director / Embalmer

Tom is a 1977 graduate of Gupton Jones College of Funeral Service.  He served 6 years on the Board of Georgia Funeral Directors Association, 3 years on NFDA Policy Board, and 6 years on the Georgia State Board of Funeral Service.  Tom currently serves on the Georgia State Board of Cemeterians.  He and his wife, Melissa reside in Oconee County.  They have five children and two grandchildren and are members of Beech Haven Baptist Church.

Jason B. Wommack

General Manager

Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer

Jason grew up in Monroe and is a 1990 graduate of Monroe Area High School. He is a 1994 graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service and has been employed with Lord and Stephens since 1995.  He and his wife, Mandy have lived in the Athens area since 1997 and currently reside in Watkinsville.  In his spare time, Jason enjoys traveling, motorcycle riding and UGA sports. He currently serves as President of the Georgia Funeral Directors Association and is the representative for NFDA Leadership.

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Dale Rogers

Lead/Managing Funeral Director

Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer

Dale is a 2000 graduate of The Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science.  He is a native of South Carolina and a second generation funeral director.   He and his wife, Salinda live in Oconee County with their children, Luke and Parker.  Dale is a member of Ray's United Methodist Church. He and his family enjoy many outdoor activities together.

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James Johnson

Funeral Director/Embalmer

Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer

James is a 1995 graduate of Gupton Jones College and has been in the funeral service industry since 1993. He is a native of Habersham County and currently resides in Madison County. He is an active member of the Academy of Graduate Embalmers and has served families at Lord and Stephens since 2009. He attends Athens Church with his wife, Elizabeth and daughters, Bella and Allie.

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Talmadge Hall

Funeral Director/Embalmer Emeritus (deceased)

Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer

Talmadge was a 1959 graduate of Kentucky School of Embalming. From 1963 until 1995, he owned and operated Hall's Funeral Home in Franklin County.  Following his retirement, he continued his service to families with Lord and Stephens until his passing on September 27, 2021.  Talmadge is survived by 2 children and 3 grandchildren. He surely will be missed by the Lord and Stephens staff and the families he has served.

Katie Wages

Funeral Director/Embalmer

Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer

Katie is a 2013 honors graduate of Piedmont Technical College with an Associate's Degree in Funeral Service. In her spare time, she enjoys the gym, fitness and spending time with family and friends. She is a lifelong resident of Madison County where she previously served as Deputy Coroner and has been with Lord and Stephens since 2011.

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Whitney Burkhalter

Funeral Director/Embalmer

Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer

Whitney is a 2017 honors graduate of Piedmont Technical College with an Associate's Degree in Funeral Service. She has been with Lord and Stephens since 2015. In 2010, Whitney graduated with her bachelor's degree in art history from the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. She also holds a master's degree in art history from Indiana University in Bloomington. 

A Tennessee native, Whitney now lives in Athens with her husband, Matthew. She is a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

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Haley Burns

Licensed Funeral Director / Embalmer

Haley is a 2012 graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service. She and her husband, Landon reside in Loganville. They have three cats and she enjoys coffee and horror movies. Haley has been with Lord and Stephens since 2020. 

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Ray Finger

Advance Planning Specialist & After Care Counselor

As a native Athenian Ray has worked and served the people of our community in several different capacities including: wholesale/retail hardware sales, chemical process operator, bi-vocational and full-time ministry, and insurance.

Ray and his wife Carol live in Winterville, Ga. They have two grown children Lindsie and Tyler and two grandchildren.

In his spare time Ray enjoys hunting, fishing, biking, reading, and anything his granddaughters want him to do.

His life motto is... growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

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Levi Oldham

Apprentice Funeral Director/Embalmer

Levi is a native of Arnoldsville and a 2018 graduate of Oglethorpe County High School. He and his wife, Zada currently reside in Winterville along with their two dogs, Maverick and Marlo. In his free time, Levi enjoys hunting, fishing, off-roading, and outdoor sports. Levi has been with Lord and Stephens since December 2017. 

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Tyler Finger

Apprentice Funeral Director/Embalmer

Tyler is a native of Athens, Georgia. He graduated from EMT/AEMT school in 2016 and plans to continue his education with a mortuary science degree. Tyler also assist families through Athens Pet Cremation, which is partnered with Lord and Stephens Funeral Homes.

He currently resides in Athens with his wife, Mallory. In his free time, Tyler enjoys golf and sport shooting. 

Deanna Barrick

Accounts Manager

A graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, Deanna holds a Masters Degree in Clinical/Counseling Psychology, maintains licensure in the state of Tennessee and is presently completing coursework in Grief Counseling.  Following their marriage in 1999, Deanna moved to Athens and currently resides in Clarke County with her husband, David.  Her hobbies include snow skiing, boating and all outdoor activities.  Although living in the heart of DAWG country, she remains a committed and loyal VOLS fan.

Tabitha Fuller

Insurance and Death Certificate Specialist

Tabitha and her husband, Chad have lived in the Athens area for several years. They enjoy fishing, traveling and spending time with their families. Tabitha has been serving families with insurance claims and death certificate filing at Lord and Stephens since 2014 and continues her service to families as Cemetery Manager of Athens Memory Gardens and Oconee Memorial Park. 

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Dawne Townsend

Office Manager

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Stephanie Neal

Pre-Need Coordinator

After graduating from UGA, Stephanie and her husband, Billy, decided to make their home near the heart of Bulldog Nation and have lived in Madison County for 17 years.  They keep busy with their three children and dog, Smudge. They are also active and dedicated members of Riverside Church in Colbert. Stephanie is an avid reader, library lover, and crafter.  She joined the staff at Lord and Stephens as a Pre-Need Coordinator in October 2021.

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Lindsie Finger

Athens Pet Cremation Manager

Lindsie is a lifelong resident of the Athens area. She enjoys crafting, traveling and spending time with her two daughters and her dog, Niko. Lindsie has over 10 years of customer service experience and joined the staff at Lord and Stephens in 2020. 

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Roger Croy

Cemetery Grounds and Facilities Manager

Assistant Funeral Director

Roger has been employed with Lord and Stephens since 1993.   He and his wife Susan live in Madison County with their children Dalton and Calina. Roger is an avid fisherman.

Rita Ingham

Support Staff

Rita has been with Lord and Stephens since 2000.  She lives in Madison County. 

Larry Fair

Assistant Funeral Director

Frankie Gabriel

Assistant Funeral Director

After Hours Support Staff

Mark Jones

Assistant Funeral Director

Chuck McCants

Assistant Funeral Director

Nathan Palmer

Assistant Funeral Director

After Hours Support Staff

Mitchell Sartain

Assistant Funeral Director

Jimmy Stokes

Assistant Funeral Director Emeritus (deceased)

Jimmy was a Veteran of the United States Army and later retired from the tire business. Retirement did not suit him and his need for purpose, so he began working part-time with Lord and Stephens Funeral Homes and shared his love and compassion for others in this way. Jimmy passed away November 20, 2020 and surely will be missed by the Lord and Stephens staff. 

Tommy Hewell

Assistant Funeral Director

Mike McKeel

Assistant Funeral Director

Jon Llewallyn

Assistant Funeral Director

Scott Jones

Assistant Funeral Director

Jean Dickens

Visitation Attendant

Sue Dyer

Visitation Attendant (deceased)

Sue worked as a Caregiver with Visiting Angels and a Visitation Attendant with Lord & Stephens Funeral Home. Sue had a talent for interior decorating, crafting, and caring for flowers in her yard. She always looked forward to and enjoyed traveling with her family on many vacations. Sue passed away on October 10, 2021, and is surely missed by her family and the Lord and Stephens staff.

Barbara Easterwood

Visitation Attendant

Pat Gunter

Visitation Attendant

Teresa Isbell

Visitation Attendant

Delores Wages

Visitation Attendant

Wanda Llewallyn

Visitation Attendant

Janet Westbrook

Visitation Attendant

Mason Lee

Funeral Home and Cemetery Maintenance