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, Georgia and moved to the Athens area in 1997.
He is a 1994 graduate of Gupton Jones College of Funeral Service and has been employed with Lord and Stephens since 1995. He is currently the General Manager of Lord and Stephens Funeral Homes. Over the years, Jason has served in various civic clubs and was the 2022-2023 President of the Georgia Funeral Directors Association.
In his spare time, Jason and his wife, Mandy, enjoy traveling, motorcycle riding and UGA sports. They currently attend Ashford Memorial Methodist Church in Watkinsville.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 joined the Lord & Stephens staff in 2020 to launch Athens Pet Cremation. She enjoys serving the Athens community and partnering with local vets to provide pet cremation. Lindsie, her husband Kirk, two daughters, and their dog Buster reside in Winterville. In her free time she enjoys camping, cooking, and DIY projects.

Tyler is a native of Athens, Georgia. He enjoys serving the Athens Pet Cremation families. He currently resides in Athens with his wife, Mallory and son. In his free time, Tyler enjoys spending time with his family. Tyler has been with Lord and Stephens since 2018 and transitioned over to Athens Pet Cremation in 2023.

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

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.

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.

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.