Our Valued Staff

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  Ed 'Butch' Williamson, Managing Partner

  Ed "Butch" Williamson is a native of Lansing, Michigan where he graduated from Eastern High School. He has lived in the Chattanooga and North Georgia area for the past 42 years and has been associated with Lane Funeral Home South Crest Chapel for over 25 years. Ed is married to Joye Rowland Williamson and they have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. He is a 1965 graduate of John A. Gupton College and a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in the state of Georgia and Tennessee and a certified crematory operator through C.A.N.A. Ed is a veteran of the Vietnam War serving in the U.S. Army from 1967-1968 and received the Bronze Star Medal with V Device. He is a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 203 and the American Legion Post 95. Ed has been very active in the community and is a member of the Rossville Exchange Club, Hamilton County Sertoma Club and the Chamber of Commerce in Hamilton, Walker and Catoosa County. In 2008, he was honored as the Catoosa County "Partiotic Citizen of the Year." In his spare time, he enjoys playing golf and walking.

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  Bruce E. Bowden, Funeral Director Apprentice

  Bruce Bowden is a native and lifelong resident of Lookout Mountain, Georgia and was a graduate of Northwest Georgia High School in 1981. He attended Chattanooga State Technical Community College and spent several years as a broadcaster on radio stations in Chattanooga and began his funeral service career in 1990. Bruce graduated from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in 1994 and has been with Lane Funeral Home South Crest Chapel since 1997. He serves as pianist for the Gospel Singing Higdon Family and can be heard performing at many churches throughout the area. Bruce is a member of the Chamber of Commerce in Hamilton, Walker and Catoosa County and is a weekly news correspondent for the Dade County Sentinel. He is married to Tolitha Higdon Bowden and has two children Bridgette Tinker and Nick Bowden along with two granddaughters Makena and Presley Tinker. He is presently serving as pianist at Lookout Mountain Baptist Church.

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  Jason W. Cox, Funeral Director/Embalmer

  Jason Cox is a native of Memphis, Tennessee and is the son of Rev. David and Lindy Cox. Jason moved to Chattanooga in 1982 where he attended Tennessee-Temple Elementary School while his dad attended the Seminary. In 1988 the Cox family moved to Chatsworth, Georgia where Jason's dad accepted a pastoral job. Jason graduated from Murray County High School in 1994 and went on to attend Dalton State College and Kennesaw State College before graduating from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in 1998 with an associates degree in Mortuary Science and was selected into the Pi Simga Eta Honor Fraternity of Funeral Service. Joining Lane Funeral Home South Crest Chapel in 2001, Jason has been in the funeral industry since 1996 and is a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in the state of Georgia and Tennessee. Jason is a certified crematory operator through C.A.N.A., he is active in our community as co-chair of the American Cancer Society Relay For Life in Catoosa County, member of the Ft. Oglethorpe Kiwanis Club, the Walker, Catoosa and Hamilton County Chamber of Commerce and works closely with the Partnership with Education in local schools. In his spare time Jason enjoys hunting, fishing and participating in other outdoor activities. He is married to Maryia and they reside in the Rock Spring Community.

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  Debbie Harrison, Administrative Assistant

  Debbie Harrison is the administrative assistant at Lane Funeral Home South Crest Chapel, joining the staff in July 2005. She is a native and lifelong resident of the Flintstone area where she graduated from Chattanooga Valley High School in 1980 and was active in band, flag corps and cheerleading. Debbie is married to Tony and has a daughter, Robin, who will be attending Kennesaw State University. She also has 2 step-daughters, Nicole and April, along with grandsons Aeden & Isaiah. Debbie attends the Liberty Baptist Church in Rossville, GA. and is a member of the Gold Wing Riders Association, Chapter V. She enjoys swimming, church activities and spending time with her family and friends.

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  Paul Zwicknagel, Family Service Counselor

  Paul Zwicknagel is the Family Service Counselor at Lane Funeral Home South Crest Chapel. He is a graduate of Georgia State University and has made his home in Chattanooga area since 1968. After retiring from a 34 year career in the paper industry, Paul embarked on his second career in 2004 with the South Crest Chapel. Paul and his wife, Judy, are the proud parents of 4 children and 4 grandchildren. Besides finding great joy in helping others, Paul enjoys boating, fishing and spending time with his grandchildren.

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  Susan Dodd-Tankersley, Marketing & Public Relations Director

  Susan Dodd-Tankersley is a native and lifelong resident of North Georgia. She joined Lane Funeral Home South Crest Chapel in 2005 as the marketing director. Susan is no stranger to people in the Chattanooga and North Georgia community with over 20 years experience in public relations, media sales and management. She is a member of Fairview Baptist Church and is thankful to God for ability to be very active in the community. Susan in an ambassador and member of the Chamber of Commerce in Catoosa County, board member with the Walker County Chamber of Commerce, member of the Battlefield Civitan Club,Partnership for Education,and the Ronald McDonald House. She was the recipient of the Civitan of the Year Award in 2008 & 2009 and was recently recognized as the 2009 Woman of Achievement Award by the Rossville Business & Professional Women's Club. In 2008, she was recognized as the Walker County Patriot of the Year. Susan is a graduate of Rossville High School and Edmondson Business College. She and her husband Dewane live in Flintstone and have 2 sons Jeremy and Jay-Scott and two granddaughters.

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  Jim Buckner, Organist

  Jim Buckner is a native of Walker County and was employed with Bell South for 36 years. He has served in civic efforts including United Way, American Heart Association and Junior Achievement. He chaired Walker County's community leadership program for 5 years and elected chairman of the Walker County Chamber of Commerce for 2001. He is a trustee of the Cleveland State Community College Foudation and a past director of Northwestern Technical College. He is past president of the Rotary Club in Cleveland and a Paul Harris Fellow. Jim served as District Governor of District 6780 of Rotary International in 2000-2001. He and his wife Pat have 3 children and 5 grandchildren. They are members of the Chattanooga Valley Church of the Nazarene where Jim serves as organist.

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  Tom Campbell, Ambassador/Attendant

  Tom Campbell joined the staff of Lane Funeral Home South Crest Chapel in 1999. He is the former owner of Campbell's Restuarant in Rossville. Tom and his wife Shirley have a daughter, Tina, and are members of McFarland United Methodist Church. Tom is a past president of the Rossville Kiwanis Club and enjoys playing golf, bowling and spending time with his family and friends.

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  Barbara Curl

  Barbara Curl has lived in the North Georgia area for the past 47 years joining the staff of Lane Funeral Home South Crest Chapel in 1998. She attends Fairview Baptist Church where she teaches a ladies Sunday school class. Prior to retirement, she operated a restuarant specializing in barbeque. She is married to DeLacy and they have 4 children, 8 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

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  DeLacy Curl

  DeLacy Curl joined the staff of Lane Funeral Home South Crest Chapel in 1998. He attends Fairview Baptist Church where he serves as a deacon and a choir member. He previously operated a barbecue restuarant and worked as a sales representative. He is married to Barbara and they have 4 children, 8 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

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  Lavelda Floyd, Ambassador/Attendant

  Lavelda Floyd joined Lane Funeral Home South Crest Chapel 8 years ago. She is a native and lifelong resident of Higdon, Alabama and was a graduate of North Sand Mountain High School. She has two sons and daughters-in-law, Kendall & Lisa Inman and Terry & Danette Higdon, along with 1 granddaughter and 2 grandsons. She loves helping people in a time of need and enjoys spending time with her family. Lavelda has been a lifelong member of the Gospel Singing Higdon Family from Higdon, AL and she loves to crochet on her spare time.

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  Mary Sue Gilbert

  Mary Sue Gilbert is a longtime resident of the Burning Bush Community. She has been associated with Lane Funeral Home South Crest Chapel for over 20 years. She is the widow of Conner Gilbert and has 4 children, Rip, Kathy, Kari and Kristie along with 8 grandchildren. Mary Sue is a member of Burning Bush Baptist Church.

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  Martha Green

  Martha Green is the widow of Lamar Green, a long time employee of Lane Funeral Home South Crest Chapel. She is a member of Burning Bush Baptist Church where she has served as organist for many years. She is a nurse currently working with Battlefield Elementary School. Martha has two sons, Marty and Michael and four grandsons. She in involved with many civic activities throughout the area.

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  Henry Hankins

  Henry Hankins 1922 -2009
  
  On Saturday, March 21, 2009, our friend and ambassador, W. Henry Hankins, passed away.
  
  Since 1999, Henry has greeted many, many visitors as they entered Lane Funeral Home. He was always at the door with a big smile and a true love of people. Please keep his wife, Jean, and family in your thoughts and prayers in the days and weeks to come. We mss you, Henry. Rest in peace!

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  Bill Hartman, Ambassador/Funeral Assistant

  Bill Hartman serves as an ambassador and funeral assistant at Lane Funeral Home South Crest Chapel. He retired from Conoco Oil Company in 1990 and made a return to reside in Ringgold with his wife of 48 years, JoAnn Powers. Bill worked as a project manager in the construction industry until another retirement in 2002. Bill and JoAnn have two children, Todd Hartman & Latrica Evans, both of Ringgold. As members of Peavine Baptist Church in Rock Spring, Bill serves as deacon and on the transportation & disaster relief committees. In his spare time, he enjoys gardening, beekeeping and camping.

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  J.W. Kirk, Ambassador/Funeral Assistant

  J.W. Kirk is a native of Stevenson, Alabama and lives in Ft. Oglethorpe with his wife Joy. He has been with Lane Funeral Home South Crest Chapel for 6 years. J.W. is a member of Parkway Baptist Temple in Ft. Oglethorpe where is a choir member and serves on the sound team. He has four children, Teresa, Garry, Kevin and Renee and five grandchildren. J.W. formerly worked with Western Union and retired from Greyhound where he served as a bus driver. He belongs to the Greyhound Retirees and Western Union Retirees. He enjoys barbershop singing and is a member of the Chattanooga Choo-Choo Barbershop Chorus along with the Georgia Cattlemen's Association.

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  C.F. Strickland, Ambassador/Funeral Assistant/Pastoral Care

  Rev. C.F. Strickland is a native of LaFayette, Georgia where he attended LaFayette High School. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1954-1958 and the U.S. Air Force from 1958-1974. He has been associated with Lane Funeral Home South Crest Chapel since 1997. C.F. and his wife, Doris, live in Ringgold and have 2 children and 1 grandson. He has pastored several churches in the North Georgia area.

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  Joyce Waller-Walker, Organist/Pianist

  Joyce Waller Walker is a lifelong resident of the Chattanooga area. She is married to Doyle and they have 2 children, Jeremy and Jessica, along with 2 grandsons. Joyce is a member of South Seminole Baptist Church where she serves as pianist.

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  Jack Williams

  Jack Williams has been with Lane Funeral Home South Crest Chapel since 1987. He is married to Charlotte and they have 2 children, Jacqueline and Jeffrey, along with 5 grandchildren. Jack retired from Combustion Engineering after 30 years of service. He attends Lookout Valley Church of the Nazarene and is a member of the Elks Lodge #91, East Lake Masonic Lodge #698 and the Alhambra Shrine.

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  Frank Youngblood, Ambassador/Funeral Assistant

  Frank Youngblood has been with Lane Funeral Home South Crest Chapel since 1997. He is a lifelong resident of Rossville. He attended Rossville High School, McKenzie College and retired from Combustion Engineering after 36 years of service. Frank and his wife, Merrie Lynn, are members of Fairview Baptist Church where he serves as trustee and deacon and is a member of the choir. He is past chancellor commander of Park Lodge #75 Knights of Pythias. Frank has 2 children, Dan and Rodney and 4 grandchildren. Frank enjoys fishing, boating, golfing and traveling with family and friends.

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  Richard J. Davis, Funeral Director/Embalmer

  Ric is the newest member of the staff at Lane-South Crest Chapel. He is a 1992 graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service and served his apprenticeship in Marietta from 1996-1998. He worked as a family service counselor at Crestlawn Cemetery in Atlanta in 1991 and became a licensed funeral director in 1998. Ric is married to Pam and has two children, Justin & Shannon. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1977 - 1988 and was also a restaurant owner in Pensacola, Florida, prior to his move to Georgia. He and Pam reside in the Flintstone Community.

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  Dean Gayton, Ambassador/Funeral Assistant

  Dean Gayton is a native and lifelong resident of the Rossville area and was a graduate of Rossville High School in 1967. He was the owner of American Home Guard and was employed as a salesman for Newton Chevrolet. Dean is a member of Fairview Baptist Church and is married to the former Peggy Lambert and they have two children and two grandchildren. Dean joined the Navy Reserve during the Vietnam Conflict and served on the William C. Lowe DD763. Dean joined the Staff at Lane-South Crest Chapel in October, 2008. In his spare time, he enjoys his garden and Koi pond and riding his 1300 cc Motorcycle. He holds memberships with the Vietnam Veterans of America #203 and the Sports Car Club of America.

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  Jan Lawrence, Ambassador/Attendant

  Jan Lawrence has been affiliated with Lane Funeral Home for more than 12 years. She has been married to Royce Daniel Lawrence for 46 years and they attend Silverdale Baptist Church. Jan & Royce have four children, Lesa York, Tresa Brown, Tina Francis and Johnna Milsaps. Jan loves to cook, sing, and dance, but her greatest joy in life is her four granddaughters, five grandsons, and five great-granddaughters.

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  Billie J. Riddle, Ambassador/Attendant

  Billie Riddle is a lifelong resident of North Georgia. She was married to the love of her life, Clarence Riddle for fifty years. She has two sons, Jimmy & Eddie, six grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. Billie enjoys spending time with her family and friends with fun games and a good cup of coffee. She was employed with Tupperware Home Parties for 31 years and hold records for the volumes of Tupperware sold. She retired in 1999. Billie loves being busy and working with the public and became a member of the staff at Lane-South Crest in June, 2008. She attends Del Ray Baptist Church and enjoys sewing and crocheting in her spare time.