​A HISTORY OF CARING

George Funeral Home was founded in 1920 by Mr. D.M. George. Mr. George worked for Powell Hardware, which was located on Laurens St. in downtown Aiken. In addition to hardware items, Powell's sold coffins and tombstones. Jason V. and Isaiah George, younger brothers of Colonel Hagood George and uncles, invented a process called artificial stone, a process of making gravestones out of cement. D.M. wanted to start a business dedicated to handling funeral services. Sometime around 1913-1914, he left his family to attend the Cincinnati School of Embalming. They purchased a house on Richland Ave. between Newberry and Laurens Streets. George Funeral Home was one of the first funeral homes in South Carolina (License #4).

D.M. had three sons; Albert, Edward and Otto. All three sons were involved in the business, but it was Albert, a decorated WW II veteran, who was the most active in the funeral home.

The Georges ran the only funeral home in Aiken and in 1948, they outgrew the Richland Ave. location and purchased the current building at 211 Park Ave.

The home was owned by the Stevenson family prior to the war and was named Deodora. The house burned and was sold to Capt. and Mrs. Bell. The Bells rebuilt and operated a boarding house called The Bell House. The house was later sold to the Snow family and was part of the famous "Winter Colony" of Aiken. The Snow family was from the north, and they came to Aiken to escape the harsh, northern winters. The house is over 8,500 square feet and has three floors and a full basement. It contained two kitchens for servants to prepare meals for family and guests.

At the start of WW II, the Snow family allowed the house to be used by the Army as a lodge for traveling soldiers and government workers. Entertainers would visit to put on performances for the soldiers, and Jimmy Stewart did a watercolor drawing of one of the many beautiful sitting rooms, complete with fireplace and bookshelves. That picture still hangs in the funeral home today.

The funeral home is known for its many antiques. Back during the 1940s, many people traded furniture and valuables, instead of paying for a funeral. One of the lovely antiques acquired this way is an old grandfather clock, built in England sometime between 1750 and 1780. It still keeps perfect time today. Other noteworthy pieces are a large cabinet made in France during the 1850s and a beautiful European chandelier from the early 1900s.

The George family began a tradition of distributing calendars each year. The subject of their calendars was a family of five girls by the last name of Dionne. Each year the entire community could see how the girls had grown since the last year.

D.M. George died in 1949, and his son Albert ran the business until his death in 1976. The business was then entrusted to Joseph McClellan, a longtime employee of the George family. McClellan operated the funeral home as the sole shareholder. Upon McClellan's retirement, the business was sold to Ray and Alicia Visotski. In the summer of 2000, George Funeral Home became the first funeral home in Aiken to operate its own crematory.

In 2018, George was bought by local resident and long-time employee Cody Anderson.

Notwithstanding the tangible expansions and changes of time, the commitment established by the George family in 1920 remains the same. Over 100 years after it was founded, George Funeral Home is still caring for families and celebrating lives.

CODY ANDERSON

OWNER / Manager / DIRECTOR

(SC FDE 3794 & GA FD 5772 GA EMB 5371)

Cody Anderson has been with the historic George Funeral Home & Cremation Center in downtown Aiken since 2014. Cody is a life-long resident of Aiken County and attended both the University of South Carolina Aiken and Piedmont Technical College.  He has served as the owner, manager, and licensed funeral director and embalmer since 2018. In addition to being licensed in the State of South Carolina, he is also licensed to practice Funeral Directing and Embalming in the State of Georgia.

Cody is highly engaged in the community and has served on various boards and committees to include: The Green Boundary Club, Joye in Aiken, Aiken Center for the Arts, The Midland Valley Veterans’ Park, The South Carolina Funeral Directors Association, United Way of Aiken County, and The Aiken Symphony.

Cody’s true passion is assisting those in their time of funerary need. He believes the keys to providing exceptional funeral service include offering a broad range of services and products, a highly personalized experience for families and loved ones, a robust aftercare and outreach program, and the high level of experience and compassion provided by our excellent George team.

These principles constitute the bedrock philosophy of George Funeral Home & Cremation Center. By adhering to these tenets, he plans to solidify the reputation established by the George family in 1920 and lay the foundation that will allow George Funeral Home to continue to care for families in Aiken well into its second century of service.

Rev. K. SCOTT AYERS

vice president, COO, Director 

(SC FD 2154)

Rev. K. Scott Ayers is a native of Travelers Rest, S.C. Scott began his funeral service career at the age of 15 helping with funeral services at the local funeral home in his home town. He later would serve families for many years as a full time funeral director in the Upstate and Pee Dee region of South Carolina.  After his children were born, he left the funeral business full-time to accept a call to the ministry where he has served churches throughout the state as Associate Pastor of Worship as well as obtaining his South Carolina Educator’s Certificate to teach middle level social studies while still continuing to work closely with funeral homes in the areas he was ministering.  

Scott joined the staff of the Historic George Funeral Home & Cremation Center in 2015 after the passing of his mother and serves as the official Celebrant of the funeral home as well as assisting in other areas of funeral service.  In addition, he is the Associate Pastor of Worship Ministries at Shiloh Baptist Church in Aiken. Scott is also a Lead Teacher in the Aiken County School District working with the newly created Aiken Innovate Virtual Learning school where he teachers 8th grade History. Although Scott stays busy working in these three capacities, he feels strongly called to each one and enjoys staying active in the community.  He was promoted to Vice President and Chief Operating Officer April 1, 2023. 

Scott is passionate about history and is excited to see George Funeral Home & Cremation Center returning to its roots under Mr. Anderson's leadership with the same trust, compassion and detail that were synonymous with the name George and its founder Mr. D.M. George and then his sons, Albert and Edward. 

Scott is married to the former Teri Jane Ergle who is a native of Aiken County. They have three daughters and a son-in-law, Marlie & Coty Courtney of Aiken, Brittany Ayers who lives in New York City and Rebecca Ayers who lives in Raleigh, NC. In addition his father-in-law and mother-in-law are natives of Aiken, Steve & Jane Seigler Ergle. Scott & Teri have one granddaughter, Kori Lee Courtney.

ERIN WILLIS FRANKLIN

office administration / DIRECTOR

(SC 3232)

Erin Willis Franklin is a native of Mt. Pleasant, SC.  She is a graduate of Gupton Jones College of Funeral Service in Atlanta, GA.

As a 5th generation funeral director, she began her career at an early age working for her father at their family funeral home in Charleston, SC, McAlister-Smith Funeral Home. 

Erin is the former managing director of a funeral provider in Graniteville, SC.

Erin is a resident of Aiken and lives with her son, Henry and daughter, Audrey.

She started her career with the Historic George Funeral Home in 2018.

Brittany DiMartino 

Office Administration /Apprentice Director

(SC 4412)

Brittany grew up in Clayton, Delaware.

When she was 19, her aunt sent her a letter reminding her that "life & love is not self-centered where you do what you feel like without regard for other people, please know your worth and believe in love, commitment and relationships- I believe you are the type of person who can turn something tragic into something good and be happy for a long time." Two years later, Brittany lost that aunt and 2 young cousins in an automobile accident. Seeing the way that the tragedy affected her family and the way that the services were conducted she became interested in funeral service. She believes that if there were ever a way to honor her aunt's memory and be the person 'Aunt Jodi' believed that she was, it would be through committing to families in their time of need and creating relationships while identifying with them through their grief, happy memories, and the wonderful stories of their loved ones.

Brittany moved to Aiken in 2019 and started  her career with the Historic George Funeral Home in April of 2021.

Marlie E. Courtney

Receptionist & Administrative Assistant

(NON-LICENSED)

Marlie E. Courtney is a life long native of Aiken, SC . She is a graduate of South Aiken High School and is a member of New Spring Church. Marlie is also very active with the Doxa Barbell Gym in Aiken where she assists in coaching.

Marlie is married to Coty A. Courtney also a life long native of Aiken South Carolina and they have one daughter Kori Lee Courtney.

Marlie is excited to be able to bring her compassion and care for people to the George Family Team and looks forward to working with each family who entrusts their loved ones into our care. 

ROSE DAUGHERTY 

FUNERAL ATTENDANT

(Non-Licensed)

Rose Daugherty was born and raised in Aiken. Rose attended Aiken County Public Schools and she is married to Greg Daugherty. Together they have four children and eight grandchildren. 

Rose worked at Leverett Shoes for forty-two years. She is a member of Hillview Baptist Church. Rose loves serving others and truly enjoys assisting at George Funeral Home. 

Jim Hall

Funeral Attendant 

(NON-LICENSED)

Brandon Smith

Funeral Attendant 

(NON-LICENSED)

JULIAN L. THIGPEN

Funeral Attendant 

(NON-LICENSED)

Julian Thigpen was born in Manning, SC and raised in Sumter. He graduated from Edmonds High School. After high school, he joined the US Army and was Honorably Discharged from the US Army Reservist in 1966. In 1963, he was appointed as a SC State Trooper and retired as a First Sergeant after 29 years of service. In 1993, he was employed as a Special Deputy United States Marshal and retired from them after 15 years of service. Julian has been in the funeral profession since 2008. He has been married to Eunice Widener of New Ellenton since 1964 and they have two children; a son, Rodney and his wife Melanie May Thigpen and daughter, Julie White and her husband Steve. He has four grandchildren, Brandon, Coley, Cory and Kellie. Julian and his wife are members of Town Creek Baptist Church. 

TOM VAIDEN

FUNERAL ATTENDANT

(NON-LICENSED)