Compassion. Integrity. Tradition.
In operation since 1967, our mission has always been to assist families during their greatest time of need with professionalism, integrity, and dignity. And we’ve worked tirelessly to make that mission a reality.
That’s our promise to you — compassion, integrity, and tradition. It is our sincere hope that we can help ease the burden and grief that is dealing with the loss of a loved one.
Compassion. Integrity. Tradition.
In operation since 1967, our mission has always been to assist families during their greatest time of need with professionalism, integrity, and dignity. And we’ve worked tirelessly to make that mission a reality. For more than 25 years, we’ve been the only funeral home with an onsite crematorium, so that your loved one doesn’t get shuffled around from location to location.
That’s our promise to you — compassion, integrity, and tradition. It is our sincere hope that we can help ease the burden and grief that is dealing with the loss of a loved one.
Our Team
Joseph L. Dean, III
Born in Columbus, Georgia and reared in East Alabama, Joseph is the owner of the funeral home and is a licensed Funeral Director, Embalmer, and Cremationist.
Joseph attended Lee-Scott Academy, Southern Union, Auburn University, and Jefferson State Mortuary School. Joseph is Married to Kimberly Dean, An attorney in Opelika, Alabama, they have three sons ranging in age from 20 months to 9 years. Joseph believes it is necessary to treat every family with kindness, compassion, sincerity, and respect in order to walk with them step by step in this most difficult time.
Thank you for considering Alabama Funeral Homes & Alabama Cremation Centers as your funeral service or cremation provider.
Russell McLachlan
Russell McLachlan, an apprentice funeral director, is a native of Milton, Florida and first came to the area in 1983 as a student at Auburn University. He worked part-time at the local funeral home.
Upon graduation in 1987, he was commissioned in the US Navy and left the area. After 30 years of service, Russell retired from the Navy but still teaches securities studies in an online Master’s program through Air University.
Russell returned to the funeral service out of his passion to assist and comfort families in their time of grief. He is married to his wife of 34 years, the former Kay Whitaker also of Milton, Florida. They have three sons and reside in Auburn, Alabama.
Meagan Wade Hilyer
Meagan Wade Hilyer, 26, is an Apprentice Funeral Director and Office Manager at Alabama Funeral Homes & Cremation Centers. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Art & Design from LaGrange College of LaGrange, Georgia. Meagan feels greatly fortunate to be given the privilege of serving each family that chooses to trust Alabama Funeral Homes & Cremation Centers with the care of their loved one and is indebted to each family for their gifts of love and wisdom. Meagan resides in Auburn, Alabama with her husband of 2 years, Trenton Hilyer, a Mechanical Engineering graduate student at Auburn University, and their former stray cat, Maya Lin.
Rhett Barnes
Rhett Barnes, currently 32 years old and have been in the Funeral industry for 5 years as Office Manager. Born and reared in Opp, Alabama and from there went on to Central Alabama Community College in Alexander City for two years on a baseball scholarship. I finished up my college degree at The University of Alabama and now live in Auburn, Alabama. Growing up in a small town my parents instilled in me a passion for community, and helping people in time of need. This line of work has given me that opportunity and it is something that I truly enjoy. My wife Abby is a Nurse Practitioner at Stop Watch Urgent Care and together we have two Springer Spaniels.
History
In 1967, James C. Pritchard, Sr., along with four other businessmen started Tallapoosa County Memory Gardens as one of the area’s only perpetual care cemeteries which gave families an alternative to the traditional church and city cemeteries.
The cemetery includes burials from the Pre-Civil war days. In 1985 after Mr. James Carl Pritchard Sr.’s Death, his son, James Carl Pritchard Jr., became president of Tallapoosa County Memory Gardens. In 1995 Alabama Funeral Homes became a full-service funeral home including East Alabama’s only cremation facility.
Alabama Funeral Homes and Cremation Centers and Tallapoosa County Memory Gardens is proud to announce that Joseph L. Dean III of Opelika, Alabama has recently acquired ownership of the facilities. We are excited to extend professional care and compassion to families as the only all-inclusive funeral home, crematory, and cemetery of the area.
History
In 1967, James C. Pritchard, Sr., along with four other businessmen started Tallapoosa County Memory Gardens as one of the area’s only perpetual care cemeteries which gave families an alternative to the traditional church and city cemeteries.
The cemetery includes burials from the Pre-Civil war days. In 1985 after Mr. James Carl Pritchard Sr.’s Death, his son, James Carl Pritchard Jr., became president of Tallapoosa County Memory Gardens. In 1995 Alabama Funeral Homes became a full-service funeral home including East Alabama’s only cremation facility.
Alabama Funeral Homes and Cremation Centers and Tallapoosa County Memory Gardens is proud to announce that Joseph L. Dean III of Opelika, Alabama has recently acquired ownership of the facilities. We are excited to extend professional care and compassion to families as the only all-inclusive funeral home, crematory, and cemetery of the area.
Client Testimonials
“My name is Eric Kimbrel. I live in Opelika, Alabama in Lee County. I have had nothing but awesome service from Alabama Funeral Homes & Cremation Centers. I chose them because that’s where my family is, and they have treated my family very well in handling their funerals.”
“Thank you so much for your kindness during this difficult time. We are all still in shock as this was so sudden. You and your staff went the extra mile in making the arrangements so special for our family. Thank you again.”
“The Wonderful people at the Alabama Funeral Homes & Cremation Centers were very helpful and thoughtful when my Dad passed. They guided us through the process Professionally and Respectfully. Thank You.”
“I’d like to express how thankful I am for the compassion and care our family has felt from each person we’ve interacted with at Alabama Funeral Homes & Cremation Centers. There is much peace that comes with knowing that the funeral home you have chosen will take care of everything with the most sincere respect and kindness to both you and your loved one. We were never rushed and any questions we had were clearly and thoughtfully answered. My family was treated as though we were the most important people to them at every interaction, and that brought so much more healing and less stress through a difficult process of losing someone you love. It is evident that the individuals who work there have wonderful, caring hearts and a love for the people that they serve. Special thank-yous to Joseph for being understanding to us and to Meagan for spending such a long time talking to me yesterday. I hope both of you and all of your staff realize how touching it is to feel genuine caring and empathy as you were able to show when we needed it the most.”
“Dear AFHCC, We were very pleased with all aspects of your services, beginning with the dignity your representatives showed when they came for my husband. I will contact you before long to (pre) purchase services for myself. Thank you.”
“Thank you for the wonderful job you all did during his services. May God richly bless you for your kindness.”
“We would like to thank each of you for showing such kindness in our time of loss. Thank you for taking care of everything. May God bless all of you with love, grace, and mercy. Thanks again.”
“Happy with everything that you have done for us. Every time that I called the Voice of whoever answered their voice was very courteous and pleasing to hear . I thank them for their support.”
“I would like to express the compassion that the staff showed our family as they took care of our dad, James Deason, who passed away on July 27th, 2020. You made this hard time for us as easy as a transition that you could 😔 I will forever be grateful for you guys. From the daughter of James Deason 💙 -Brandi Deason Huddleston 🙏🏻 thank you again.”
“They are the sweetest people. They helped me SO VERY MUCH. I cannot express just how helpful they were. They are very sensitive & understanding. They did an outstanding job.”
“Very kind and professional service, with excellent customer service and communication throughout the process. Thank you.”
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