Our Experienced Staff
Our Experienced Staff
Our families and their guests are treated with only the highest level of professionalism, dignity and respect. Crest Lawn’s staff is committed to caring for each and every individual, as if he or she were our own beloved family member… before, during and after the time of need. Our facility is licensed by the State of Tennessee and managed by Justin Pace.
(*Not a Licensed Funeral Director/Non-Licensed Assistant).
Raymond Parker
Licensed Funeral Director
Operations Manager Signature Funeral Services
Raymond, a licensed Funeral Director, is the Operations Manager for Signature Funeral Services and the Location Manager for Presley Funeral Home.
Raised on a farm in Bixby, Oklahoma, he joined the Navy after high school and served his country as a Navy Corpsman assigned to the 2nd Medical Battalion in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Raymond returned to the Tulsa area where he began his apprenticeship in the funeral profession. After completing the requirements for licensure and attending college in Dallas, he returned to the Tulsa area with a Degree in Business where he was soon promoted to Manager of one of the oldest funeral homes in the state. He held that position for several years while operating an ranch in Inola, Oklahoma. An opportunity was presented to join a company in the Mountains of Northern California and oversee some 80+ funeral homes, cemeteries, and flower shops in Northern California, Oregon and Alaska. After over 15 years with that company, he accepted an offer to move to Fort Lauderdale to oversee an organization where he spent the last 9 years.
With a desire to return to an area that felt more like “home”, Raymond sought out and accepted a position here in Cookeville.
Married with 4 grown children, Raymond’s wife Marilyn has an extensive history of government service working first for the National Institute of Health in Bethesda Maryland and then the Prosthetics Department at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Miami, Florida.
Justin Pace
Funeral Home Manager
Licensed Funeral Director
Licensed Insurance Agent, Family Service Counselor, Registered Pre-Need Sales Agent, Cemetery & Monument Sales Associate
Justin has been a Cookeville native since 1991. He was born to parents Terry and Susan Pace. Justin is a 2006 graduate of Cookeville High School and a 2015 graduate of John A. Gupton College. Justin, his wife Demetria and their 2 boys, Camden Jude, and McKinley "Mac" Crew attend Double Springs Church of Christ. “ He enjoys the going to games and watching the Tennessee Vols and the Nashville Predators. It is my priority to implement the practices that I have learned over the years working at Crest Lawn. My main goal is to continue the genuine care, compassion, and love for our community that we have over time. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve this great community. I have a passion to help families in their time of need and I am proud to be a part of the Signature Services Team at Crest Lawn."
Cameron Westbrook
Licensed Funeral Director/ Embalmer
Cameron was born in Anderson, South Carolina and grew up in Kingsport, Tennessee where she attended Sullivan South High School and competed in gymnastics for 12 years. She moved to Nashville, Tennessee where she received a degree in Mortuary Science from John A. Gupton College. Cameron enjoys painting, crocheting, reading, and playing with her 2-year-old cat named Pile. She has worked in the funeral industry for about two and a half years in Nashville but has recently moved to Cookeville. “It’s very peaceful and everyone goes out of their way to help one another, including me. I look forward to making new friendships and serving my families with care and compassion.”
Brittny Sims
Funeral Assistant ( Non- Licensed)
Brittny was born and raised in Cookeville, TN. Her and her husband Barry were married in 2021 and have seven wonderful children. She attended Cookeville High School and Genesis Career College and now continuing her life long dream job and passion of being able to help others in their time of need. Brittny is striving towards her goals in life for becoming a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer she is fully committed to her job. “Death is something we all deal with and will go though at some point of our life. I enjoy being able to be there for families and hope to bring ease and comfort while guiding them through this difficult process.”
Rick Newman , Funeral Assistant (*Non-Licensed)
Rick is originally from Mt. Pleasant, TX where he graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School. He relocated to Cookeville sometime in 1985 to be more active with Engrafted Word Church. He joined the Cookeville Fire Department, retiring in 2016 after 30 years serving his community. Rick and his wife Patricia are very involved at their church being they’ve both been involved with the ministry most of their lives. He stays busy splitting his time between the church and Crest Lawn. Rick enjoys watching TTU Basketball with his family and working in the community, as he rarely takes a day off. He’s been with us since July 2019, and says, “Working in the funeral home is like being a part of a ministry. I spent so much time helping save lives while I was at the Fire Dept. and now, I am on the opposite side of it, helping people who have lost the ones they love. I love serving people, always have. It isn’t the pay that matters, it is the lives that we touch.”
Roger Reeves, Funeral Assistant (*Non-Licensed)
Roger was born in Jackson County and has moved back to the Cookeville area since retiring from the Detroit Fire Department where he was employed for 33 years. He has a E.M.T License and is also licensed in the field of Cosmotology. Roger is well known around the Cookeville area as Mr. Roger, the magician and is very involved with the Cookeville Shriners. Roger has been with Crest Lawn for over 2 years.
Terry Pace, Funeral Assistant (*Non-Licensed)
Terry was born in Detroit, Michigan to parents Joe and Mary Sue Pace. He graduated from Crest Wood High School. He has received degrees from Michigan Christian College, Oklahoma Christian College and Central State University. Terry and Susan Smith Pace married June 12, 1982 in Ponca City, Oklahoma. They moved to Tennessee in 1986. Terry and Susan have four Children. Michael of Culver City, California, Justin and Wife Demetria, Emily and Jordan Pace of Cookeville, TN. Terry has worked at Institutional Wholesale Company since 2001. Terry enjoys researching genealogy and spending time at the beach, collecting shells. Terry and Susan are members of Collegeside Church of Christ where they have attended for 16 years. Terry is here to serve the families of the Upper Cumberland in any way needed and has a deep passion to help families in need.
Stella Martin , Funeral Assistant (*Non-Licensed)
Stella was born and raised in Jackson County, where she graduated from Jackson County High School. She moved to Michigan to attend nursing School for a period, but soon found her way back home where she worked at Jackson County Hospital for 29 years. She had two children with her late husband James. She is a member of Dudney’s Hill Church of Christ. Stella loves spending time with her great grandson and taking care of her family members and friends. Being a nurse most of her lifetime, she loves to stay busy and active. She’s been working for us at Crest Lawn Funeral Home for eight years and says, “Crest Lawn is such a wonderful place to work, the staff is so nice, and I couldn’t work for a better place.”
Junior Stamps, Funeral Assistant (*Non-Licensed), Cemetery Sales Associate
Junior was born in Crossville, Tennessee to Dean & Faye Stamps. He has been living and working in Cookeville since 1977. He married his loving wife Charlotte Loftis in October 1980. They have 1 son, Christopher Stamps. Junior has been with Crest Lawn since 2008.
Howard Bryant , Funeral Assistant (*Non-Licensed)
Howard has lived in Cookeville his entire life. Howard is married to Christine Smith Bryant and they have been married for over 57 years. Howard is a veteran of the Korean War serving with the United States Army. Howard is a member and has been active with the Cookeville Masonic Lodge and the Al Mena Shriners since 1968. He and Christine are members of Willow Avenue Church of Christ in Cookeville. Howard has been with Crest Lawn for overs 8 years.
Michael Miller, Cemetery Maintenance Manager (*Non-Licensed)
Mike is from Gridley, CA where he attended Gridley Union High School and then later went on to Butte College in Oroville, CA. He relocated to Cookeville last year with his beloved wife Rochelle. Mike has seven children and attends New Hope Baptist Church in Gainesboro. He brings experience to our staff as a certified forklift operator along with a CDL. During his free time, Mike enjoys volunteering where he can, making knives, building motor bikes, fishing, and spending time with his family. He’s been with us for about a year and says, “I am inspired to work at Crest Lawn because my father ran a cemetery before he passed, so it’s an honor to do what he did. Also, I’ve always loved working outside and doing landscaping.”
Donald Phillips, Cemetery Maintenance (*Non-Licensed)
Most people know him as “Duck”. Donald is from Monterey, TN and has resided in Cookeville for the last 58 years. He attended High School in Algood, Tn. Previously he worked at Palk’s Feed Mill before he came to work for us at Crest Lawn Memorial Cemetery. He enjoys hunting and fishing in his free time. Donald has been part of the Crest Lawn family for 28 years and says, “I enjoy working outside and helping people.”
Mary Jo (Hill) Rogers, Funeral Assistant (*Non-Licensed)
Mary Jo Rogers, known by many as Ms. Jo, was formerly one of the owners of Crest Lawn Memorial Cemtery and was born in Cookeville at the old Cookeville Hospital. She received her education from the Putnam County School system. She is a member of Cookeville First United Methodist Church. She married Gene L. Rogers in April, 1945. We lived in Whitson Funeral Home for over 20 years. Gene was first the manager then we purchased the funeral home and operated the business until selling it in 1973. During that period we also purchased Crest Lawn Cemetery from Mary Lou Reeves in 1957 and operated the cemetery until 1995 when we sold the cemetery to Service Corp. International. After my husband Gene passed away i have been back at Crest Lawn assisting with funeral and cemetery families.
In Loving Memory Of: Roger K. Burke, Licensed Funeral Director & Licensed Embalmer
Roger brings many years of experience to Crest Lawn. He has been a Licensed Funeral Director and Licensed Embalmer for over 51 years. Roger has two daughters, Sherry and Stephanie and also has two grandchildren, Nick and Caroline. Roger has previously served as manager of several area funeral homes around the Upper-Cumberland and is also the Past President of the Upper Cumberland Funeral Directors Association. He also operates Burke Enterprises, LLC.(Central Transport Group). He is a member of the Evening Lions Club and a former District Governor of the Tennessee Lions Club. Roger has received several awards over the years including the Melvin Jones Award from Lions Club International. ” I am so pleased to bring my years of experience to Crest Lawn and I am honored to be able to assist all Crest Lawn families in their time of need”.
In Loving Memory Of: Pat Moran, Funeral Assistant (*Non-Licensed)
January 17, 1966 - July 28, 2019
In Loving Memory Of: Richard A. Hudson, Funeral Assistant (*Non-Licensed)
(June 23, 1941 – March 20, 2012)
Funeral Assistant (Non-Licensed)
Richard was born in Dekalb County and graduated from high school in McMinnville in 1960. He graduated from Tennessee Tech University with a degree in Criminal Justice and is a veteran of the Vietnam War and the Cuban Missile Crisis, serving with the United States Air Force from 1960-1964. Richard is a retired Tennessee State Trooper with the Tennessee Highway Patrol where he served for 35 years. Richard is married to Joyce E. Neely Hudson and they have 2 children, Todd and Tracy. Richard and Joyce also have 5 grandchildren. Richard and wife Joyce have been married for 46 years and are members of Washington Avenue Baptist Church for the last 42 years. Richard is an active member with the Evening Lions Club, the Cookeville Masonic Lodge, and the American Association of State Troopers. Richard has been with Crest Lawn for over 5 years.
Why We're Different
We know there are other funeral homes in the area to choose from. But we also know that families who turn to us during a time of loss, or for pre-arrangement services experience our very high standards of service. These standards include transparency in business practices and service pricing, as well as:
- Providing families with well-planned funeral arrangements in their time of need.
- Providing comfortable, soothing surroundings where families and friends can gather to remember and celebrate the life of a loved one.
- Helping families in our community to preserve longstanding traditions and customs.
- Offering innovative, truly personalized funeral home services and products.
- Assisting families and individuals making their pre-need plans.
- Reaching out to the greater community with educational seminars and grief support programs.
We offer professional guidance and personal and specialized attention before, during and after the loss of a loved one. Our reputation for honesty and integrity is very well-known, and it is our most valuable asset.
- Traditional Funerals
- Personalized Funerals
- Memorial Services and Graveside Ceremonies
- Various Cremation Service Options
- Veterans' Funeral Services
We encourage you to contact us to discuss your family’s unique needs. Each of us is confident that we can, and will, do our utmost to meet – and exceed – your expectations.