Jesse & Cheri
Owners/Funeral Directors
Jesse and I recently became the proud owners of Henry Funeral Home. Our history with the funeral home began 20 years ago, when in 2003, Jesse came from North Carolina to attend Gupton-Jones Mortuary College in Decatur and began working and living at the funeral home. Upon his graduation and decision to stay in the area, Jim and Peggy Ragsdale, part-time staff members at the funeral home, introduced him to me, their granddaughter, Cheri Parker. I also began working at the funeral home and decided funeral service was indeed the path to which I was being called. In 2006, less than a month after my graduation from mortuary college, we were married.
The Henrys graciously allowed us to make our first home the upstairs of the funeral home, and there we lived for the first three years of our marriage and career. Despite our move to Covington in 2009, we continued working at the funeral home until October of 2012. During those years we came to know and love so many people who had connections to the Lithonia community.
Our time there truly was more than a job for us- it was friendships, relationships. Since the time we were directly involved, we started an affiliate business and a family! We now have three precious children, Dottie Rose, Beau & Obie. Our story with Henry Funeral Home continues as we seek to carry on the nearly 40-year legacy of this well-respected, independently owned and operated funeral firm. Its founder, Doug Henry, started the home in 1984 with the goal to treat every family he was privileged to serve as his own. Our objective is no different- service is at the heart of our business.
Jesse & Cheri
Owners/Funeral Directors
Jesse and I recently became the proud owners of Henry Funeral Home. Our history with the funeral home began 20 years ago, when in 2003, Jesse came from North Carolina to attend Gupton-Jones Mortuary College in Decatur and began working and living at the funeral home. Upon his graduation and decision to stay in the area, Jim and Peggy Ragsdale, part-time staff members at the funeral home, introduced him to me, their granddaughter, Cheri Parker. I also began working at the funeral home and decided funeral service was indeed the path to which I was being called. In 2006, less than a month after my graduation from mortuary college, we were married.
The Henrys graciously allowed us to make our first home the upstairs of the funeral home, and there we lived for the first three years of our marriage and career. Despite our move to Covington in 2009, we continued working at the funeral home until October of 2012. During those years we came to know and love so many people who had connections to the Lithonia community.
Our time there truly was more than a job for us- it was friendships, relationships. Since the time we were directly involved, we started an affiliate business and a family! We now have three precious children, Dottie Rose, Beau & Obie. Our story with Henry Funeral Home continues as we seek to carry on the nearly 40-year legacy of this well-respected, independently owned and operated funeral firm. Its founder, Doug Henry, started the home in 1984 with the goal to treat every family he was privileged to serve as his own. Our objective is no different- service is at the heart of our business.
Allie K. Lovett
Funeral Director
Allie is a lifelong resident of Walton County, growing up in Loganville and graduating from the Loganville High School class of 2010. She went on to fulfill her childhood dream to become a licensed funeral director and embalmer and is a 2012 graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science. She currently resides in Loganville with her husband, Ben, and their three fur babies that are the joy of their lives: Jack, Butters, and Beau. Allie attends Church at the Grove in Walnut Grove. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, hiking, crafting, gardening, and shopping, especially at antique or thrift stores.
Allie K. Lovett
Funeral Director
Allie is a lifelong resident of Walton County, growing up in Loganville and graduating from the Loganville High School class of 2010. She went on to fulfill her childhood dream to become a licensed funeral director and embalmer and is a 2012 graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science. She currently resides in Loganville with her husband, Ben, and their three fur babies that are the joy of their lives: Jack, Butters, and Beau. Allie attends Church at the Grove in Walnut Grove. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, hiking, crafting, gardening, and shopping, especially at antique or thrift stores.
Doug Henry
Founder
Doug is a 1972 Graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science. After graduation he joined the firm of H.M. Patterson & Son, Spring Hill Chapel, where he spent several years and gained a vast amount of knowledge in funeral service. Opening Henry Funeral Home in 1984 to serve Lithonia and the surrounding area with a parlor-style Funeral Home.
Doug Henry
Founder
Doug is a 1972 Graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science. After graduation he joined the firm of H.M. Patterson & Son, Spring Hill Chapel, where he spent several years and gained a vast amount of knowledge in funeral service. Opening Henry Funeral Home in 1984 to serve Lithonia and the surrounding area with a parlor-style Funeral Home.
James Posey
Funeral Director
James Posey
Funeral Director
James Walters
Funeral Director
James is a native and current resident of Gwinnett County. His family moved to the South DeKalb area in 1959, and shortly after his graduation from Gordon HS in 1966, he joined the Navy Reserves and served two years of active duty. James is married to his high school sweetheart, Jeannie, and they have two married sons and four grandchildren. They’re active members of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Snellville, numerous veterans’ organizations and are GA National Cemetery volunteers. In 2024, James received the high honor of being inducted into the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame. His history in funeral service began in 1965 as a student at a local funeral home. He later graduated from Gupton Jones Mortuary College and has worked in various capacities at funeral homes ever since. For many reasons, James is a valued member of the Henry Funeral Home staff, most notable, however, is his passion and devotion for honoring veterans.
James Walters
Funeral Director
James is a native and current resident of Gwinnett County. His family moved to the South DeKalb area in 1959, and shortly after his graduation from Gordon HS in 1966, he joined the Navy Reserves and served two years of active duty. James is married to his high school sweetheart, Jeannie, and they have two married sons and four grandchildren. They’re active members of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Snellville, numerous veterans’ organizations and are GA National Cemetery volunteers. In 2024, James received the high honor of being inducted into the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame. His history in funeral service began in 1965 as a student at a local funeral home. He later graduated from Gupton Jones Mortuary College and has worked in various capacities at funeral homes ever since. For many reasons, James is a valued member of the Henry Funeral Home staff, most notable, however, is his passion and devotion for honoring veterans.
Beth Abbott
Funeral Assistant
Born and raised in LaFayette, GA, Mrs. Beth has lived in Lithonia most of her adult life and has worked at Henry Funeral Home for many years as our “friendly door lady”. She attended Harper Method Beauty School in Atlanta, equipping her for work in various salons and to become a beauty instructor. Mrs. Beth is a longtime member of Rockland Methodist Church, and she loves helping people from the community. Her ultimate hobbies are traveling and shopping at thrift, bargain, and antique stores. She loves spending time with her daughter, son, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Beth Abbott
Funeral Assistant
Born and raised in LaFayette, GA, Mrs. Beth has lived in Lithonia most of her adult life and has worked at Henry Funeral Home for many years as our “friendly door lady”. She attended Harper Method Beauty School in Atlanta, equipping her for work in various salons and to become a beauty instructor. Mrs. Beth is a longtime member of Rockland Methodist Church, and she loves helping people from the community. Her ultimate hobbies are traveling and shopping at thrift, bargain, and antique stores. She loves spending time with her daughter, son, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Buzz Keys
Funeral Assistant
“Buzz”, as he’s known to most, has worked with us at Henry Funeral Home since 2017. His lifelong Lithonia/Redan roots and numerous experiences with loss give him personal connections with many families we serve. He is a 1973 graduate of Lithonia High School and lifetime member of Redan UMC. Employed by Anvil Products in Redan for 17 years, Buzz admirably left the public workforce to become a family caregiver for several family members. Additionally, he is the grounds caretaker for Redan Cemetery and often volunteers his time cleaning up graves at other local cemeteries. An excellent gardener, Buzz is a sports enthusiast who especially enjoys basketball, baseball, football, golf & bowling.
Buzz Keys
Funeral Assistant
“Buzz”, as he’s known to most, has worked with us at Henry Funeral Home since 2017. His lifelong Lithonia/Redan roots and numerous experiences with loss give him personal connections with many families we serve. He is a 1973 graduate of Lithonia High School and lifetime member of Redan UMC. Employed by Anvil Products in Redan for 17 years, Buzz admirably left the public workforce to become a family caregiver for several family members. Additionally, he is the grounds caretaker for Redan Cemetery and often volunteers his time cleaning up graves at other local cemeteries. An excellent gardener, Buzz is a sports enthusiast who especially enjoys basketball, baseball, football, golf & bowling.
Buck Howell
Funeral Assistant
Buck was born and raised in the Lithonia/Redan area. He and his wife, Vicki, currently reside in Stockbridge and have two sons. Employed by Coca-Cola on a full-time basis, he began working with us at Henry Funeral Home following the death of his father in 2021. His integrity, helpfulness & approachability make him a well-suited visitation and funeral assistant. Buck enjoys interacting and making connections with the families we serve, and in his spare time, fishing and being with his family top his list. Additionally, he is a member of Snellville Church of Christ.
Buck Howell
Funeral Assistant
Buck was born and raised in the Lithonia/Redan area. He and his wife, Vicki, currently reside in Stockbridge and have two sons. Employed by Coca-Cola on a full-time basis, he began working with us at Henry Funeral Home following the death of his father in 2021. His integrity, helpfulness & approachability make him a well-suited visitation and funeral assistant. Buck enjoys interacting and making connections with the families we serve, and in his spare time, fishing and being with his family top his list. Additionally, he is a member of Snellville Church of Christ.
Johnny Archer
Funeral Assistant
Born and raised in DeKalb County, Johnny is a 1961 graduate of Southwest DeKalb High School. He retired from Lucent Technologies after 35 years of service and is a member of Glen Haven Baptist Church and Local Union 72. A plumber by trade, he is often found around the funeral home doing handyman work in addition to being a funeral assistant. Johnny resides in Conyers with his wife of 58 years, Sherry Dutton Archer, and they have 4 children, 13 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandsons. In his spare time, he enjoys hunting, fishing & camping. Johnny’s warm & endearing personality suits him well for working with us at Henry Funeral Home, which he has done for nearly 15 years.
Johnny Archer
Funeral Assistant
Born and raised in DeKalb County, Johnny is a 1961 graduate of Southwest DeKalb High School. He retired from Lucent Technologies after 35 years of service and is a member of Glen Haven Baptist Church and Local Union 72. A plumber by trade, he is often found around the funeral home doing handyman work in addition to being a funeral assistant. Johnny resides in Conyers with his wife of 58 years, Sherry Dutton Archer, and they have 4 children, 13 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandsons. In his spare time, he enjoys hunting, fishing & camping. Johnny’s warm & endearing personality suits him well for working with us at Henry Funeral Home, which he has done for nearly 15 years.
