Gordon Lee Rhoden Sr., CFSP
Former President
Gordon was a native of Colleton County and was the youngest son of the late John Benjamin "J.B." Rhoden Sr. and Clara Kinard Rhoden. He was raised in the Doctor's Creek community, attended public schools in Walterboro, and graduated from Walterboro High School in 1966. Like his father, Gordon entered the United States Marine Corps and graduated from basic training at Paris Island. As his involvement in funeral service grew, he transferred to the Marine Reserve. Gordon served his apprenticeship at Dunbar Funeral Home in Columbia, SC, and attended the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, graduating in 1970. In 1975, the unexpected death of Jimmy Holland, the Co-owner of Peeples-Holland Funeral Home in Hampton, SC, created an opportunity for Gordon to move his family to Varnville and become the manager of that facility. Thirty-three years later, he and his wife Brenda became the sole owners of the business. In 1978, Gordon was elected Coroner of Hampton County. He served almost eight terms, thirty years, making him the third longest serving Coroner in the history of South Carolina. He was a former President of the South Carolina Funeral Directors' Association, and a former Vice-president of the South Carolina Coroner's Association. Gordon was a member of the American Legion Post #108 in Hampton, the Advisory Board of BB&T, and the First Baptist Church of Hampton, where he was a former Deacon. He and his wife Brenda have three children, Lee, Lori, and Ryan, as well as nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Gordon passed away in November of 2025 after the death of his wife in March of 2025. His impact on the funeral business will be felt for generations to come.
Gordon Lee Rhoden Sr., CFSP
Former President
Gordon was a native of Colleton County and was the youngest son of the late John Benjamin "J.B." Rhoden Sr. and Clara Kinard Rhoden. He was raised in the Doctor's Creek community, attended public schools in Walterboro, and graduated from Walterboro High School in 1966. Like his father, Gordon entered the United States Marine Corps and graduated from basic training at Paris Island. As his involvement in funeral service grew, he transferred to the Marine Reserve. Gordon served his apprenticeship at Dunbar Funeral Home in Columbia, SC, and attended the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, graduating in 1970. In 1975, the unexpected death of Jimmy Holland, the Co-owner of Peeples-Holland Funeral Home in Hampton, SC, created an opportunity for Gordon to move his family to Varnville and become the manager of that facility. Thirty-three years later, he and his wife Brenda became the sole owners of the business. In 1978, Gordon was elected Coroner of Hampton County. He served almost eight terms, thirty years, making him the third longest serving Coroner in the history of South Carolina. He was a former President of the South Carolina Funeral Directors' Association, and a former Vice-president of the South Carolina Coroner's Association. Gordon was a member of the American Legion Post #108 in Hampton, the Advisory Board of BB&T, and the First Baptist Church of Hampton, where he was a former Deacon. He and his wife Brenda have three children, Lee, Lori, and Ryan, as well as nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Gordon passed away in November of 2025 after the death of his wife in March of 2025. His impact on the funeral business will be felt for generations to come.
Lee Rhoden
Owner and President, Funeral Director/Embalmer
Lee was born on March 23, 1969, the son of Gordon L. Rhoden Sr. and Brenda Rice Rhoden. He is a 1987 graduate of Wade Hampton High School and a 1991 Graduate of The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, where he received a BA Degree in History. During the four years he was a cadet at The Citadel, he was a member of OSCAR Company and held the ranks of Corporal, Sergeant, and Platoon Sergeant. He served on the training Cadre for two years and was a member of the Dean's List. He attained the rank of Cadet 2nd Lieutenant his senior year and served as Platoon Leader. Lee then attended Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Atlanta, Georgia. While there, he was a member of Pi Sigma Eta Fraternity. He graduated with an Associate Degree of Funeral Service in the February class of 1992, and was the class Valedictorian. Lee is a former member of the Region IV Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team (DMORT). As a team member, he responded in the recovery and identification efforts following Hurricane Floyd, the World Trade Center (twice), American Airlines Flight 587, the Noble Georgia Cremation Disaster, Hurricane Lili, and Hurricane Katrina. As a part of DMORT, he was also a member of the Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Response Team and the Disaster Portable Morgue Unit (DPMU). Lee is a SC Certified Interior Structural Firefighter and a nine-year veteran of the Varnville Fire Department, where he served as a Lieutenant. Additionally, he served as the Chief Deputy Coroner for Hampton County for ten years. Lee is a former President of the South Carolina State Board of Funeral Service and the SCFDA Central-Coastal Group. He is a member of The Citadel Brigadier Club, a life member of the Citadel Alumni Association, and a member of the Colleton County Citadel Club. Lee is married to Amy Harrison Rhoden. He has three daughters and one stepson: Gretchen, Cress, Emmie, and Harrison, as well as two grandchildren, Mary Ellis and Eliza Stephens.
Lee Rhoden
Owner and President, Funeral Director/Embalmer
Lee was born on March 23, 1969, the son of Gordon L. Rhoden Sr. and Brenda Rice Rhoden. He is a 1987 graduate of Wade Hampton High School and a 1991 Graduate of The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, where he received a BA Degree in History. During the four years he was a cadet at The Citadel, he was a member of OSCAR Company and held the ranks of Corporal, Sergeant, and Platoon Sergeant. He served on the training Cadre for two years and was a member of the Dean's List. He attained the rank of Cadet 2nd Lieutenant his senior year and served as Platoon Leader. Lee then attended Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Atlanta, Georgia. While there, he was a member of Pi Sigma Eta Fraternity. He graduated with an Associate Degree of Funeral Service in the February class of 1992, and was the class Valedictorian. Lee is a former member of the Region IV Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team (DMORT). As a team member, he responded in the recovery and identification efforts following Hurricane Floyd, the World Trade Center (twice), American Airlines Flight 587, the Noble Georgia Cremation Disaster, Hurricane Lili, and Hurricane Katrina. As a part of DMORT, he was also a member of the Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Response Team and the Disaster Portable Morgue Unit (DPMU). Lee is a SC Certified Interior Structural Firefighter and a nine-year veteran of the Varnville Fire Department, where he served as a Lieutenant. Additionally, he served as the Chief Deputy Coroner for Hampton County for ten years. Lee is a former President of the South Carolina State Board of Funeral Service and the SCFDA Central-Coastal Group. He is a member of The Citadel Brigadier Club, a life member of the Citadel Alumni Association, and a member of the Colleton County Citadel Club. Lee is married to Amy Harrison Rhoden. He has three daughters and one stepson: Gretchen, Cress, Emmie, and Harrison, as well as two grandchildren, Mary Ellis and Eliza Stephens.
Amy Rhoden
Manager
Amy is a proud native of Colleton County. She attended Walterboro High School, where she was a member of the Band of Blue, and graduated with the class of 1999. After high school, she spent eighteen fulfilling years in the dental field, undertaking various responsibilities and obtaining her nitrous oxide and X-ray certifications. After the loss of her father, Amy discovered an unexpected urge to support others in their time of need, inspiring her to enroll in the mortuary science program at Ogeechee College in Statesboro, GA. Amy has been in the funeral industry for over sixteen years, and she currently enjoys working alongside her husband. Knowing that she can assist a grieving family with even the smallest request fuels her passion to guide others through life's challenges with strength and hope. Amy married Lee Rhoden in 2017. She has one son, Harrison, and three stepdaughters, as well as two beautiful granddaughters. Family is Amy's cornerstone. She cherishes her role as wife, mother, and grandmother.
Amy Rhoden
Manager
Amy is a proud native of Colleton County. She attended Walterboro High School, where she was a member of the Band of Blue, and graduated with the class of 1999. After high school, she spent eighteen fulfilling years in the dental field, undertaking various responsibilities and obtaining her nitrous oxide and X-ray certifications. After the loss of her father, Amy discovered an unexpected urge to support others in their time of need, inspiring her to enroll in the mortuary science program at Ogeechee College in Statesboro, GA. Amy has been in the funeral industry for over sixteen years, and she currently enjoys working alongside her husband. Knowing that she can assist a grieving family with even the smallest request fuels her passion to guide others through life's challenges with strength and hope. Amy married Lee Rhoden in 2017. She has one son, Harrison, and three stepdaughters, as well as two beautiful granddaughters. Family is Amy's cornerstone. She cherishes her role as wife, mother, and grandmother.
Ricky Crosby
Funeral Director Assistant
Ricky Crosby
Funeral Director Assistant
Bruce Krajeski
Grave Technician and Grounds Supervisor
A native of Colleton County and a graduate of Walterboro High School, Bruce has been associated with this funeral home since 1988. Through his landscaping business, Krajeski Enterprises, he has provided sound judgment and advice in the management of the funeral home grounds, as well as the Greenlawn Cemetery. He is responsible for the maintenance of both properties, as well as for all of the cemetery work, monument installation, and grave preparation associated with the two businesses. His knowledge of the area and its small churches and family-owned cemeteries makes him a true asset for the funeral home.
Bruce Krajeski
Grave Technician and Grounds Supervisor
A native of Colleton County and a graduate of Walterboro High School, Bruce has been associated with this funeral home since 1988. Through his landscaping business, Krajeski Enterprises, he has provided sound judgment and advice in the management of the funeral home grounds, as well as the Greenlawn Cemetery. He is responsible for the maintenance of both properties, as well as for all of the cemetery work, monument installation, and grave preparation associated with the two businesses. His knowledge of the area and its small churches and family-owned cemeteries makes him a true asset for the funeral home.
