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
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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.
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Ms. Christina Ohm CCO/LFDIC
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.
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Mrs. Amy Davis Licensed Funeral Director
Amy Davis is a native of North Florida. She is a first-generation Funeral Director. She attended Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University in Tallahassee, FL and Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Decatur, GA. Amy grew up in church with her family at Salem AME Church in Greensboro, FL, where she served on the usher board, youth choir and YPD auxiliary. Her mother, Hattie Blackshear, instilled in her children the importance of giving the best of your service. Amy is the proud wife of Allen, mother of two daughters and four bonus children. Her oldest daughter is proudly serving in the United States Navy and her youngest daughter is making a positive difference in the lives of small developing minds as an elementary school teacher. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her Fur grand babies. The motto Amy lives by is “If I can help someone, as I travel along the way, then my living will not be in vain.”
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
