JUDSON AND GINGER CALDWELL

SCOTT ELLIS, CFSP

Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer, Funeral Service Operations

Scott Ellis, Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer, Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP) and Certified Crematory Operator, has been a part of the Caldwell & Cowan family since 2007. A 2010 graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service, he served as Vice President of the Pi Sigma Eta fraternity, and was awarded the distinguished Bill Pierce Award, given to one who demonstrates their exemplary professionalism and above and beyond efforts to funeral service. Following graduation, Scott completed the National Funeral Directors Association's Certified Preplanning Consultant program, which recognizes qualified, knowledgeable individuals who are committed to provide ethical and caring advance planning services for all families. Scott is now on the Executive Board of the Georgia Funeral Director's Association.

Scott is a lifelong resident of Newton County. He and his wife, Ronda, have been happily married for over 41 years. Their daughter and son-in-law, Erin and Mark Still, and their four beautiful grandchildren, are their pride and joy. Scott and Ronda enjoy going camping and love spending time with their family members, who mean the most to them.

Scott's goal in funeral service is to treat every family with the compassion and respect they deserve when they need it most. Having completed all required coursework to obtain his Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP) designation indicates that he goes above and beyond to serve every family as if they were his own.

CARLO OTALORA

Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer

Carlo Otalora, a Licensed Funeral Director, Embalmer, and Certified Crematory Operator at Caldwell & Cowan Funeral Home since January 2017. Hailing from the city of Miami, in 2015 he graduated from Miami Dade College School of Funeral Services. This provided him with a strong foundation in funeral service practices, grief counseling, and funeral home management. 

Fluent in both English and Spanish, being bilingual helps Carlo excel at providing exceptional support to families from diverse backgrounds. His ability to communicate effectively in both languages ensures that families feel heard, understood, and supported throughout the funeral planning process. This allows him to bridge cultural gaps and provide comfort and assistance to all families.

When Carlo is not dedicating himself to his profession, he enjoys staying active and exploring his surroundings. His free time is filled with biking, playing soccer, and discovering new places to eat. This balance between work and personal interests allows Carlo to approach each day with a renewed sense of energy and genuine passion for helping others during their most challenging times. 

BEN REYNOLDS

Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer

Ben Reynolds has been a part of the Caldwell & Cowan Family for several years, starting out as a Funeral Service Assistant, and now serving as a Funeral Director and Embalmer and Certified Crematory Operator. Ben is a graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service. He is a resident of Covington, attends East Newton Baptist Church, and assists with the Youth Group there.

CHRISTINE BANKS, CFSP

Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer

Christine Banks joined the Caldwell & Cowan family in January of 2015. A longtime resident of Atlanta, and a 2007 graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service, she is a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer and Certified Crematory Operator. Prior to joining Caldwell & Cowan, Christine worked in the Atlanta area, completing her apprenticeship and going on to become an embalming supervisor. Over the years she has worked closely with many students undergoing the clinical program training at Gupton-Jones College.

Christine has earned her CFSP (Certified Funeral Service Practitioner) designation which distinguishes her as an individual with a commitment to raise and improve the professional standards of the funeral service practice, while committing to pursue lifelong learning. In 2016, Christine became the first woman, in Georgia, to complete the Fountain National Academy's Embalming and Post Mortem Reconstructive Surgery Seminars. A reconstruction specialist is skilled in specialized embalming and surgical techniques used in reconstructive procedures in cases of severe traumatic injuries suffered at death.

Christine takes great pride in her work and is thankful to have the ability to help members of the community when they are in a time of need.

DJ Adams

Apprentice Funeral Director & Embalmer

LORI SMITH

Case Processor

Lori Smith joined the Caldwell & Cowan Family in 2018, as a Case Processor, with several years experience in customer service. She loves helping others and providing support and encouragement to those in need. Lori is a lifelong resident of Covington and enjoys kayaking, traveling to the beach and mountains, and spending time with her family, friends, and furbaby, Pistol.

CATHY BURGOYNE

Receptionist

Cathy Burgoyne has been a member of the Caldwell & Cowan Family since January of 2014. She is a Covington native, and is an active and longtime member of First United Methodist Church. Cathy and Lexi, her beautiful, energetic daughter, live in town with their two fur babies, Pooh and Holly. As Receptionist, she is one of the first people you meet when you come into the Funeral Home, and her wish is to make every family feel welcomed while in our care. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, cooking and listening to music.

CATHERINE PARNELL AND LARRY PARNELL

Administrative Assistant/Grief Facilitator - Funeral Service Assistant

After retiring from Newton Medical Center, Catherine and Larry Parnell began their new careers at Caldwell & Cowan. In addition to day-to-day office responsibilities as Administrative Assistant, Catherine processes death certificates and maintains communication with families. Larry works as a Funeral Service Assistant and serves as Fleet Manager. Parents of three and grandparents of seven, they were high school sweethearts and have been happily married since 1960. Larry and Catherine live in Mansfield, and thoroughly enjoy life in the country! They say the most fulfilling of their job responsibilities is meeting the families served by Caldwell & Cowan at their point of need.

RAY AMERSON

Funeral Service Assistant

Ray Amerson has been a Newton County resident for over 70 years. He is a graduate of Newton County High School, and a Veteran of the U.S. Air Force. Married for 30 years to his wife, Norma, they have four children and four grandchildren. A musician, Ray has played music all over the Southeast, as well as abroad during his military service. Ray and Norma are involved in the church food ministry at their church, Harvest Baptist in Covington, and Ray plays piano for services. As a Veteran himself, Ray is honored to help fellow Veterans as a volunteer with Disabled American Veterans, driving them to and from appointments at the VA Clinic in Decatur.

After working for more than 40 years, Ray has enjoyed retirement since 2010, and now has time to enjoy the things he loves and spend more time with family and friends. As a Funeral Service Assistant with the Caldwell & Cowan family, Ray assists on funeral services and at visitations. He feels it is a blessing to be able to offer comfort to families in their time of need, and says the Lord has been so good over the years, he could never thank Him enough.

DENNIS HOOTEN

Funeral Service Assistant

Dennis Hooten is a lifelong resident of Newton County. He is a graduate of Newton County High School and a Veteran of the U.S. Army. Married for 51 years to his wife, Judy, they have two children and six grandchildren. Dennis and Judy are active, lifelong members of the First Presbyterian Church of Covington and are involved in the church's Family Promise and Food Bank ministries. Dennis is a member of the American Legion's Post 32 and participates in their monthly activities.

After selling cars at Hooten Motor Sales for almost 40 years, Dennis enjoyed a brief retirement traveling with his wife. Returning to work as a Funeral Service Assistant, in 2018, has allowed Dennis to reconnect with many old friends and former customers.

PAT LAZENBY

Funeral Service Assistant

Pat Lazenby has been a part of the Caldwell & Cowan family for over 10 years. She is a lifelong resident of Covington, and a member of Harvest Baptist Church, where she teaches an AWANA class, and volunteers with Faith Works Ministry.

TERESA DRAKE

Funeral Service Assistant

BILL WILEY

Funeral Service Assistant

Marty Wiley

Funeral Service Assistant

SARA SMITH

Funeral Service Assistant

DON ENNIS

Funeral Service Assistant

DANNY FLOYD

Funeral Service Assistant

JEFF BISHOP

Funeral Service Assistant

GENE NORWOOD

Funeral Service Assistant

DR. ADAM COOPER

Psy. D. Grief Counseling/MA Pastoral Counseling/Dir of Grief Mgmt/Celebrant

Adam Cooper is Director of Grief Management, a joint outreach of Caldwell & Cowan Funeral Home and Lawnwood Memorial Park. He and his wife, Angie, have two daughters, Lenzie and Samantha.

Adam received his Doctor of Psycology Degree in Grief Counseling from Breyer State University in June of 2015, and his Masters Degree in Pastoral Counseling from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, in May of 2012. He is a Certified Celebrant through the InSight Institute, as well as a Grief Management Specialist through the American Grief Academy.

As Director of Grief Management, Adam oversees and facilitates Support Groups, and the Caldwell & Cowan grief program. Our Grief Management Programs meet at 3134 Floyd Street, where evening Support Groups twice monthly.

Our Grief Library, located at our Access Road location is open to the public daily from 9 am until 4 pm. Please contact the Grief Management Center for assistance or information at any time.

BILLY CRAWFORD,

Lawnwood Memorial Park General Manager

Billy Crawford joined the Lawnwood Memorial Park family in September of 2013, after 19 years of employment with Newton County Government. He is a 1985 graduate of Newton County High School, and a 1988 graduate of DeKalb College, where he studied Business. Billy is an active and longtime member of Julia A Porter United Methodist Church, where he has served in many areas. A compassionate advocate for children, he has served as Children's Director alongside his wife, Lila, for more than 25 years. Billy and his family reside in Oxford.

CRYSTAL MILLIGAN

Lawnwood Memorial Park Administrative Assistant

Crystal L. Milligan is Administrative Assistant for Lawnwood Memorial Park. She has been employed with Lawnwood since July of 2004, and is available to assist families with both Preneed and At Need sales and services. Crystal is a native of Covington, and is married to Steve Milligan, who has been employed with Lawnwood since 1997. She is a Volunteer Firefighter and Emergency Medical Responder, and volunteers with the Central Georgia Chapter of the Red Cross/Jasper County. Crystal has two children, Nichole and Michael.

STEVE MILLIGAN

Grounds Maintenance, Lawnwood Memorial Park

CHRIS DAY

Grounds Maintenance, Lawnwood Memorial Park

DJ WEASE

Grounds Maintenance, Lawnwood Memorial Park

RANDY HINDS

Grounds Maintenance, Lawnwood Memorial Park