Our Staff

Jerry C. Deese, a native of Hartsville, SC, is the son of Sherry Hoffman Gratzer and the late Jerry Preston Deese.  He is a well-respected individual in his profession and community, having served families in the Columbia/Lexington area for many years before taking ownership of Milton Shealy Funeral Home in 2021.  With over two decades of experience in the industry, Jerry is a 1993 graduate of McBee High School and holds an Associates of Arts Degree from Commonwealth Institute of Mortuary Science in Houston, TX. He is a licensed funeral director/embalmer in South Carolina and also possesses a Crematory Operator Certificate from the National Funeral Directors Association.

Jerry remains fully committed to his community and helping families honor and celebrate the lives of their loved ones.

He is a proud father to his son, Jaydan, and shares his home with three goldendoodles, Reesie, Riley, and Ryder and sheepadoodle, Roscoe.

Lauren, a native of Batesburg-Leesville, is a third-generation funeral director and our managing director who began her career at the funeral home in 2010. Being able to continue the family tradition of serving her hometown is a privilege for Lauren, who feels so much appreciation for her community and the people who entrust her to take care of their loved ones during their most difficult days. 

A proud Batesburg-Leesville Panther alumni, Lauren graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Erskine College and an Associate Degree in Funeral Service from Piedmont Technical College.  

Lauren is married to Cory Harmon, and they have two children, Anslie and Hayden. She takes pride in raising her kids in the same community she was raised in, one that she considers to always support and encourage one another. When she is not serving her community, Lauren enjoys chasing her children around and spending time with her family and friends.

Cody J. Rollings has been an apprentice funeral director and embalmer at Milton Shealy Funeral Home since 2021. He pursued his education at Piedmont Technical College and is currently working towards earning his Associate of Science Degree from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service.

Originally from Kershaw, South Carolina, Cody has made Lexington County his home and cherishes the small-town feel that Batesburg-Leesville provides. In his free time, he enjoys spending quality time with his loved ones, his yellow lab, Daisy, and exploring nature.

Cody's passion lies in serving families and his community, and he is committed to providing compassionate and professional funeral services.

Jane has worked for Milton Shealy Funeral Home since 2021. She graduated from Hollywood High School and lives in Batesburg-Leesville.  Jane likes it because it is a small community where you can still find anything you need. Her hobbies include reading, working in the yard, and enjoying rummage sales. Being on staff at Milton Shealy provides Jane with the chance to o help the families during a difficult time and to give an experience full of kindness.

Jimmy Richardson has been a licensed funeral director and embalmer since 1989 and has specialized in Advanced Funeral Planning since 1999. Through this role, he has helped more than 2,000 families prearrange and prepay their final expenses, providing peace of mind and thoughtful preparation for the future.

A graduate of The Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, Jimmy finished second in his class in 1988. He was born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina, where his values of faith, service, and community were deeply rooted.

Jimmy has been married to his wife, Becky Ross Richardson, since 1991. Together, they have two adult children, three grandchildren, and four dogs. He serves as a deacon at Green Hill Baptist Church and currently serves as an Area Assistant with The Gideons International.

Committed to giving back, Jimmy has long believed in community service. Earlier in his career, he was a member of the Jaycees, Rotary, and Lions Club. It has been his privilege to help individuals and couples plan ahead, easing the burden on loved ones while ensuring each life is honored with dignity and as a fitting tribute.

Chris was born in Shelby, North Carolina, in 1957 and has devoted his life to serving others through ministry, counseling, and compassionate care. He married his wife, Areshia Blankenship, in 1983, and together they have two children, Hannah Masters Temple and Michael Masters. Chris is also a proud grandfather to six grandchildren—five grandsons and one granddaughter.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Gardner-Webb University, a Master’s degree in Ministry from Covington Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry in Christian Counseling from Covington Seminary. Throughout his career, Chris served the South Carolina Baptist State Convention as a consultant, focusing on church health and leadership support. He is a Certified Transitional Pastor and a Certified Life Coach.

After 38 years of faithful service as a pastor in various churches, Chris retired from pastoral ministry and began serving families in funeral service in 2024. His transition into funeral work reflects his lifelong calling to walk alongside people during some of life’s most meaningful and challenging moments.

Outside of work, Chris enjoys golf, target shooting, and spending time with his grandchildren. His greatest joy continues to be serving people in all areas of life with care, respect, and compassion.

Ronnie Steele has worked at Milton Shealy Funeral Home since 2021. After graduating from Cornerstone Christian Academy, he began a lifelong commitment to serving others. Ronnie has worked with the Charleston Fire Department, Lexington Sherriff’s Office, and volunteered with Hollow Creek Fire Department for over 10 years. These jobs opened the doors to further ways of serving his community, such as working in mortuary transportation and response for 18 years. Ronnie married Elisabeth Steele and together they have a family of 5 children in Batesburg-Leesville, a town that he considers to be an extension of his family, a community that sticks together. Avid Carolina football team fan, he also enjoys spending time with his family and being a faithful member of Eastside Baptist Church, where he serves as a deacon. He is proud to be part of the Milton Shealy Funeral Home family, where he currently serves as a certified crematory operator and funeral associate. He not only takes pride in the caring professionals he has as coworkers, he knows in Milton Shealy creates a positive impact, by treating the people with dignity, respect, and compassion through their toughest losses.