OUR STAFF

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 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 Immediate Past President of the Georgia Funeral Directors Association and is the State Representative for NFDA Leadership.

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 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 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 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 and her wife, Eden reside in Madison County where Katie previously served as Deputy Coroner. She has been with Lord and Stephens since 2011.

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 and their two daughters, Dorothy and Margaret. She is a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

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.

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 four 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 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.

Danielle is a 2023 graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service and recently joined Lord & Stephens. She and her husband reside in Auburn with their two children Adalynn and Emory. In her spare time, Danielle enjoys traveling, fishing, horseback riding, and spending time with family and friends.

Tyler is a native of Athens, Georgia. He enjoys serving the Athens Pet Cremation families. He currently resides in Athens with his wife, Mallory. In his free time, Tyler enjoys golf and sport shooting.

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 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.

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 enjoy camping trips together. They have 2 grown children and a Jack Russell Terrier.

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 20 years. They keep busy with their three children and dog, Smudge. They are also 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.

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.

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

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.

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.