Our Team
Our staff is comprised of dedicated and licensed professionals with the experience to answer all your questions regarding our services. Please feel free to contact any of our staff members at any time.
Our Experienced Staff
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 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 live in Oconee County. In his spare time, Jason enjoys traveling, motorcycle riding and UGA sports. He currently serves as Secretary of the Georgia Funeral Directors Association.
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.
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.
Talmadge Hall
Funeral Director/Embalmer
Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer
Talmadge is a 1959 graduate of Kentucky School of Embalming. From 1963 until 1995, he owned and operated Hall's Funeral Home in Franklin County. Several years following his retirement, he began his employment with Lord and Stephens. Talmadge has 2 children and 2 grandchildren.
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.
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.
Ray Finger
Advance Planning Specialist
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 (Bible College-Liberty University), 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.
Levi Oldham
Apprentice Funeral Director/Embalmer
Levi is a native of Arnoldsville and a 2018 graduate of Oglethorpe County High School. He currently resides in Bogart. He plans to attend college to pursue his mortuary science degree.
In his free time, Levi enjoys hunting, fishing, off-roading, and outdoor sports.
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. 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 at Lord and Stephens since 2014.
Dawne Townsend
Office Manager
Dawne came to Lord & Stephens in April 2018. A native of North Carolina,
she moved to Athens 31 years ago to attend the University of Georgia and chose to stay after graduation.
Dawne has over 25 years of experience in the human resources field.
She and her husband are members of Hull Baptist Church and enjoy camping trips together.
They have 2 grown children and a Jack Russell Terrier.
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.
Nicole Langston
Administrative Assistant - Athens Pet Cremation and Advance Planning Specialist
Nicole has lived in the Athens area since 2001, and considers it home. She is a long-time member of Prince Avenue Baptist Church. In her spare time, Nicole enjoys photography and spending time with her husband, Cliff.
Roger Croy
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.
Jessie Hall
Administrative Assistant to Cemetery
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
Barbara Easterwood
Visitation Attendant
Pat Gunter
Visitation Attendant
Teresa Isbell
Visitation Attendant
Delores Wages
Visitation Attendant
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