GFDA Member News
A.S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home & Crematory Expands Legacy with Acquisition of Ford-Stewart Funeral Home
DECATUR, Ga. — A.S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home & Crematory is proud to announce the acquisition of Ford-Stewart Funeral Home in Jonesboro, Georgia, effective June 23, 2026. The funeral home will now operate as Ford Funeral Home & Cremation Services, a division of A.S. Turner & Sons, Inc.
The acquisition marks an exciting new chapter for two independently owned and operated funeral homes whose histories are rooted in compassionate service, community involvement, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Led by Owner Cy Hume and General Manager Tommy Wages, A.S. Turner & Sons has served families throughout Decatur and the greater Atlanta area for more than 120 years. The addition of Ford-Stewart Funeral Home reflects the company's long-term vision of thoughtfully expanding its reach while preserving the heritage and identity of the communities it serves.
Founded in August 1997 by Horace Ford and wife Linda Ford, Ford-Stewart Funeral Home has become one of the most respected funeral homes in South Metro Atlanta. Horace began his career in funeral service in 1963 and earned his funeral director's license in 1968. Over nearly three decades as owner and operator, he built a reputation for compassionate care and personalized service alongside his wife Linda, who sadly passed January 2018), son, Darren Ford, a licensed funeral director, and his daughter, Jennifer Ford, who oversees funeral assistance and administrative operations.
Recognizing the legacy the Ford family has built, A.S. Turner & Sons has chosen to retain the Ford name as the funeral home's new identity. Just as importantly, Horace, Darren, and Jennifer Ford will continue serving the families of Jonesboro, ensuring the trusted relationships they have developed over the years remain intact.
"Maintaining the Ford name was incredibly important to us," said Cy Hume, Owner of A.S. Turner & Sons. "Horace Ford has spent decades earning the trust of this community, and we wanted to honor that legacy. This is not about replacing what has been built—it is about investing in it, strengthening it, and ensuring it continues for generations to come."
Hume explained that he has envisioned expanding the A.S. Turner brand for several years, but only if the opportunity aligned with the company's values.
"When the opportunity arose with Ford-Stewart Funeral Home, it immediately felt like the right fit," Hume said. "Ford-Stewart already has an outstanding reputation and shares our commitment to serving families with dignity, integrity, and professionalism. We knew this wasn't simply an acquisition—it was a partnership built on common values."
As part of A.S. Turner & Sons, Ford Funeral Home & Cremation Services will continue providing the personalized, independently owned and operated experience that generations of Jonesboro families have come to expect, while gaining access to expanded resources, innovative service offerings, and additional expertise.
General Manager Tommy Wages emphasized that cultural compatibility was essential throughout the process.
"It was important to all of us that this be a good fit—not only for A.S. Turner & Sons, but for Ford-Stewart as well," Wages said. "Both organizations have earned the trust of their communities through compassionate service and ethical business practices. Bringing these two teams together allows us to build on those strengths while continuing to provide exceptional care to every family we serve."
Hume echoed that sentiment, noting the shared philosophy between the two firms.
"We are not corporate, and we don't have that mentality," Hume said. "We see this merger as a definite win for both firms. Just as A.S. Turner & Sons has built a solid reputation in the communities we serve, Ford-Stewart has become a trusted and respected resource within theirs. Together, we can learn from one another and offer even more to the families who place their trust in us."
Both organizations remain committed to preserving the personal relationships and hometown values that have defined their success while expanding the services available to families throughout Metro Atlanta.
About A.S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home & Crematory/A.S. Turner & Sons Terramation Center
Founded in 1903, A.S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home & Crematory has served Decatur and the greater Atlanta community for more than 120 years. Family-owned and operated, the firm is recognized for providing compassionate funeral, cremation, and memorial services while continually investing in innovative options such as the addition of A.S. Turner & Sons Terramation Center that meet the evolving needs of families and the community.
About Ford Funeral Home & Cremation Services
Ford-Stewart Funeral Home has proudly served Jonesboro and the South Metro Atlanta community since 1997. Founded by Horace and Linda Ford, the funeral home has built a lasting reputation for compassionate care, personal attention, and dedicated service to generations of
local families. As a division of A.S. Turner & Sons, Inc., the funeral home will remain committed to preserving the Ford family's legacy while expanding the services available to the community.
Media Contacts:
Cy Hume, Owner, chume@asturner.com
Tommy Wages, General Manager, tommy@asturner.com
A.S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home & Crematory
2773 North Decatur Road Decatur, GA 30033
Phone: (404) 292-1551
Website:
https://www.asturner.com
A.S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home & Crematory Becomes the Southeast's First State-Licensed Organic Human Reduction Facility
DECATUR, Ga. — A.S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home & Crematory, led by owner Cy Hume and general manager Tommy Wages announces that it has become the Southeast's first state-licensed Organic Human Reduction (also known as terramation) facility, marking a milestone for funeral service in Georgia and across the Southeast.
For more than 120 years, A.S. Turner & Sons has served families in Decatur and the greater Atlanta community with compassionate, innovative care. Adding Organic Human Reduction continues the funeral home's long tradition of innovation, a legacy recognized in an August 1959 article in The Southern Funeral Director. The article praised the funeral home's “numerous innovations” and described it as “one of the finest, most functional and most beautiful plans of its kind in the nation.” Under Hume and Wages, A.S. Turner & Sons continues that focus on innovation in death care. As Hume explains, “We best support our families and community by staying on the cutting edge of technology and innovation while honoring the values and wishes of those we serve.”
"Our families asked me for this," said Cy Hume. "For years, people sitting across from me during the hardest moments of their lives shared that they wanted an option that was gentler and more connected to the earth. I listened. Today, I'm proud to say we've answered."
The new facility features six state-of-the-art Chrysalis vessels and a rooftop solar array that will continue to expand to help power the Organic Human Reduction process, reinforcing the company's commitment to environmental stewardship. Families throughout Georgia and the Southeast now have local access to this environmentally conscious end-of-life option without the need to transport their loved ones across the country.
"This is about giving families more choices while continuing to provide the exceptional care they have trusted us to provide for generations," Hume added. "We are honored to be the first in our region to offer Organic Human Reduction locally and will continue to enhance the services we provide to the communities we serve."
Hume also expressed gratitude to the leaders and partners who helped make this milestone possible.
"I am grateful to Governor Brian Kemp, Senator Elena Parent, and Senator Rick Williams for their leadership in making Organic Human Reduction available in Georgia," said Hume. “Additionally, I want to thank the Georgia State Board of Funeral Service for taking their time to research all State of Georgia Rules and Regulations in putting guidelines in place to not
only protect consumers, but also Funeral Professionals performing services. I also want to thank our partners at The Natural Funeral, Inc. for helping us build something truly extraordinary."
As interest in environmentally conscious funeral options continues to grow, A.S. Turner & Sons hopes to serve as a resource for other funeral professionals throughout the Southeast.
"If you're a funeral home, crematory, or cemetery operator interested in bringing Organic Human Reduction to your community, I'd welcome the opportunity to speak with you."
About A.S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home & Crematory
Founded more than 120 years ago, A.S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home & Crematory has proudly served families in Decatur, Atlanta, and the surrounding communities with compassionate, personalized funeral, green burial, cremation, and memorial services. The addition of our Terramation service will only add to existing service options to ensure A.S. Turner & Sons can meet the needs of all families in the future.
Terramation Facts Intro Video: https://asturner-my.sharepoint.com/:v:/p/chume/IQB362JdFllvRZpv_9Eg3btCASvTPruVn92Gnm6HhYNGgpc
Media Contacts:
Cy Hume, Owner, chume@asturner.com
Tommy Wages, General Manager, tommy@asturner.com
A.S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home & Crematory
2773 North Decatur Road Decatur, GA 30033
Phone: (404) 292-1551
Website:
https://www.asturner.com
Meet the GFDA District Chairs
Casey Brannen-Strickland, GFDA President, has announced the GFDA District Chairs for 2026-2027.
We look forward to working with them in the coming year as they assist with our events, serving our current members, and growing our membership!
- District 1E Chair: Carrie Beck
with Beck Funeral Home in Clayton, GA - District 1W: Jacquelyn Hightower McKinzie
with Hightower Funeral Home in Bremen, GA - District 2: Lisa Hays
with Watson-Hunt Funeral Home in Perry, GA - District 3: Kenny Jones
with Townsend Brothers Funeral Home in Dublin, GA - District 4: Rocky L. Ezell, CFSP
with Cobb Funeral Chapel in Moultrie, GA - District 5: Jonathan Roundtree
with Roundtree Funeral Home in Homerville, GA
Learn more about them by visiting HERE
Congratulations to GFDA Members, Ellen Wynn McBrayer and Carlton Maye, Jr., on their Election to the National Funeral Directors Association's Board of Directors
Brookfield, Wis. – Eligible voting members of the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) have elected new officers to serve on the association's Board of Directors, selecting leaders who will help guide NFDA's efforts to support funeral professionals, advocate for the profession and strengthen service to families and communities. Elected to serve as officers on the 2026-27 Board of Directors were President-elect Steve Spann, CFSP, CCO, of Spann Funeral Home in Dickson, Tennessee; Treasurer Ellen Wynn McBrayer, CFSP, CPC, CCO, of Jones-Wynn Funeral Homes & Crematory in Villa Rica, Georgia; and Secretary Carlton Maye Jr., MBA, CFSP, CCO, of Serenity Funeral Home in Dublin, Georgia.
Current President-elect, Chris E. Christian, CFSP, CCO, of Rogersville, Tennessee, will assume the role of 2026-27 NFDA President.
Current NFDA President Daniel J. Ford, CFSP, CCSP, of Cheshire, Connecticut, will continue his service on the Board of Directors as 2026-27 Immediate Past President.
These leaders will begin their one-year terms of office immediately following the 2026 NFDA International Convention & Expo, which will take place October 25-28 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Also continuing their service on the Board of Directors are 2025-2027 At-Large Representatives Carlos D. Black of Small’s Mortuary in Mobile, Alabama, and Christopher Costello, CFSP, of Mothe Funeral Homes in New Orleans, Louisiana.
