History & Staff

We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.

Our History

Our History

Abbey Funeral Home and Tallahassee Memory Gardens have been serving families in the Tallahassee area for many years. Tallahassee Memory Gardens was established in 1954, with Abbey Funeral Home following in 1986.  With a nice, spacious chapel and reception room, we can offer families many different service options.  Tallahassee Memory Gardens has several different gardens, including the Gardens of the Apostles, Christus, Devotion, Last Supper, Little Angels, Peace and Serenity; as well as the Community Mausoleum, Apostles Niches and Serenity Columbarium.

Our Valued Staff

  • Mrs. Laina  L. Hicks

    Mrs. Laina L. Hicks General Manager

    Laina Hicks began her cemetery and funeral home career in 1971. She soon realized she had a love for helping families in the cemetery and funeral home industry and couldn’t imagine doing anything else. Throughout the years, Laina has spread her knowledge and expertise of funeral homes and cemeteries throughout the United States. As an Independent Consultant, she has strived to make each a thriving success and built some from the ground up.After serving as a consultant at Abbey Funeral Home and Tallahassee Memory Gardens for a few years, in 2007, she decided to accept the position of General Manager. Since arriving in Tallahassee, she has put her heart into making the funeral home and cemetery something everyone can be proud of.She continues to make her mark in Tallahassee by not only upgrading and improving the facilities and grounds, but also by simultaneously uplifting anyone she meets with her positive attitude and caring spirit.Laina’s extraordinary vision for the future, along with her amazing ability to make it happen, has absolutely made Abbey Funeral Home and Tallahassee Memory Gardens a place you will never forget.

  • Ms. Christina Ohm

    Ms. Christina Ohm CCO/Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer

    Born in Boca Raton, Florida, Christina came to Tallahassee in 2011 to attend Florida State University. After graduating with a Bachelor in Psychology, she attended and graduated from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Decatur, Georgia. She came to Abbey Funeral Home first as a Staff Associate, then became a Staff Funeral Director and Embalmer after receiving her license in August 2022.

  • Mrs. Belinda McClellan

    Mrs. Belinda McClellan Licensed Funeral Director

    Belinda McClellan, a Registered Nurse, and longtime Tallahassee resident, has been a Staff Associate with Abbey Funeral Home since 2014, and as of July 2022, a Staff Funeral Director. She received her Certificate in Funeral Service from St. Petersburg College. As a funeral director, she plans and assists with visitations, funeral/memorial ceremonies and also coordinates the receptions that families often choose to have following a ceremony. She is a member of United Church of Tallahassee, where she serves on the Outreach Committee. Belinda is also member of the Capital City Woman’s Club and the Nole Nurse Alumni Council.

  • Ms. Kimberly  Ross

    Ms. Kimberly Ross Community Relations / Family Services

    In addition to being our Community Relations and Family Services Coordinator, Kimberly is also the Cemetery Supervisor for Tallahassee Memory Gardens and the Coordinator for our Precious Pets Program. She has several years of funeral service experience and is a member of the American Legion, Saul-Bridges Post #13 Auxiliary. Kimberly is very active in supporting our veterans and active military with Operation Valentine, Sweaters for Veterans and Stockings for Soldiers. Each of these collect cards, clothes and gifts for veterans which are given to local veterans or sent to our soldiers overseas on active duty.

  • Ms. Janet Temkin

    Ms. Janet Temkin Staff Associate

    Janet Temkin joined Abbey Funeral and Tallahassee Memory Gardens as a Staff Associate in 2020, and is proud to be of service to families in their time of bereavement. A parent and grandparent, she has been a Registered Nurse for 50 years and a teacher for five years. She has been active in the Tallahassee community in kids’ sports, academic events, school band parents, Apalachee Canoe and Kayak Club, District Florida Nurses Association, as well as her church Social Justice Issues. She loves to work with people of all ages.

  • Ms. Laura Dunaway

    Ms. Laura Dunaway Staff Associate

    Laura Dunaway, a long-time resident of Tallahassee, Florida, joined the team at Abbey Funeral Home and Tallahassee Memory Gardens as a Staff Associate in March 2021. She is a member of United Church in Tallahassee, where she participates in music activities as well as social justice and community events. She volunteers at Big Bend Hospice, sings with the Tallahassee Area Threshold Choir and walks in the woods whenever she can. An alumna of FSU, Laura enjoys watching their women's soccer and softball teams in action. She visits her two children and grandchildren in Tennessee whenever she can. Laura loves assisting people during their time of need.

  • Mr. David Wheeler

    Mr. David Wheeler Staff Associate

    David Wheeler joined our staff as a Staff Associate in 2020. Graduating from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, he later earned a Master of Arts in Theology and also Marital and Family Therapy from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. After moving to Tallahassee in 2000, David worked in business and organizational consulting, before becoming the Wellness and Health Recovery Coordinator at Premier Health and Fitness Center. After leaving Premier, David did several part-time jobs. In August 2022, David began what will hopefully be the first of two years of chaplain residency. His goal is to obtain certification as a professional chaplain and continue working in healthcare. In the meantime, David continues to enjoy assisting families at Abbey Funeral Home.

  • Ms. Kimberly Ladner

    Ms. Kimberly Ladner Staff Associate

    Kim Ladner moved to Tallahassee in 2006. She has worked serving people experiencing homelessness for the past 16 years. Her first job in Tallahassee was at the faith based agency ECHO, as their Emergency Resources Program Director. She then moved on to the Big Bend Homeless Coalition and directed their Homeless Veteran and Housing Programs for seven years. Looking to continue to serve people in need, she worked as Deputy Director, then Director of the Kearney Center. Kim is now the Grant and Contract Manager at Refuge House, the area domestic and sexual violence service provider of the Big Bend. Her compassion to help people in need lends itself well to serving families that seek funeral services at Abbey Funeral Home and Tallahassee Memory Gardens.

  • Mr. Wayne Galloway

    Mr. Wayne Galloway Staff Associate

    Wayne Galloway joined Abbey Funeral Home as a Staff Associate in 2022. A graduate of Terry Parker High School in Jacksonville, Florida, the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering and Valdosta State College with a Master of Business Administration, he is also a Registered Professional Engineer in both Florida and Georgia. He has served as a Project Manager and Technical Sales Representative for Power Plants and Paper Mills throughout the southeastern United States. He is a vital part of Abbey Funeral Home, assisting with services and visitations.

  • Ms. Mary Kirkham

    Ms. Mary Kirkham Staff Associate

    Mary Ellen Kirkham has been a Staff Associate at Abbey Funeral Home and Tallahassee Memory Gardens since 2021. Originally from Mt. Clemens, Michigan, she graduated from South Lake High School in St. Clare Shores, Michigan and attended South Macomb Community College in Warren, Michigan. She retired after fourteen years from Florida Credit Union League and is an active member of North Florida Tres Dias and Simply Grace Community Church. She has one son and one grandson.

  • Mr. Derek McClellan

    Mr. Derek McClellan Staff Associate

    Derek McClellan, a Tallahassee, Florida native. He is a graduate of Tallahassee Community College and studied at Portland State University. Derek joined Abbey Funeral Home as a Staff Associate in 2022 after returning to Tallahassee from Portland, Oregon. He enjoys almost anything outdoors, motorcycles, music, trivia and spending time with family and friends. Derek has a vast knowledge in many areas and enjoys interacting with others to share stories and make new friends. His caring and compassionate demeanor makes him a valuable asset.

  • Ms. Susan Coopman

    Ms. Susan Coopman Staff Associate

    Susan Moore Coopman, a native of Tallahassee, Florida, is a graduate of Godby High School. Susan recently returned to Tallahassee after many years living in other cities, including Atlanta, Georgia and Gainesville, Florida, and joined Abbey Funeral Home as a Staff Associate in 2023. She has a Master's Degree in Social Work and spent most of her career as a social worker with different hospice organizations. Her experience in hospice makes her a valuable asset at Abbey Funeral Home.

  • Mr. Parker Boyd

    Mr. Parker Boyd Cemetery and Grounds Maintenance

    Originally from Bainbridge, Georgia, Parker has been with Tallahassee Memory Gardens as the Grounds and Maintenance Supervisor since 2017.

  • Clyde Densmore

    Clyde Densmore Cemetery and Grounds Maintenance

    Our newest edition to Tallahassee Memory Gardens, Clyde Densmore has been on the Cemetery and Grounds Maintenance Crew since 2023.