Our Staff

Chris Grimsley

President

Licensed Funeral Director, Licensed Embalmer and Licensed Crematory Operator

Chris Grimsley, a graduate from Shaw High School, received his degree in Funeral Services from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Services in 1984. Chris bought Colonial Funeral Home in October of 2014. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, hunting, fishing, and spending time with his granddaughter

Telephone: 1-334-298-8728

Carson Grimsley

Operations Manager

Licensed Funeral Director, Licensed Crematory Operator and Pre-Need Specialist

Carson Grimsley, a graduate from Shaw High school in 2007, received his finance degree from Georgia Southern University in 2012 and started at Colonial in 2016. He is a 2 time area champion for high school wrestling. Before starting his career in the funeral business, Carson worked at Realtree and the Tax Commissioner's Office in Muscogee County. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, hunting, fishing, and working out.

Telephone: 1-334-298-8728

Lacey Grimsley Bovaird

Licensed Funeral Director, Pre-Need Specialist

Lacey Bovaird, a graduate from Columbus High school in 2005, received her Bachelor’s degree from Lenoir-Rhyne University in North Carolina in 2010, then received her Master’s degree from Columbus State University in 2014. Before starting at Colonial in 2018, Lacey worked as a counselor in the foster care system in Birmingham. While working in the Neuropsychology Clinic at UAB, Lacey was a contributing author on a published Neuropsychology Research Article. In her free time, she enjoys running, hiking, traveling, cooking, and spending time with her daughter.

Telephone: 1-334-298-8728

Email: 

Brian Fuller

Licensed Funeral Director, Licensed Embalmer

Brian Fuller, a graduate from Columbus High School in 1986, received his degree in Funeral Services from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Services in 1995. Brian has been a Baptist pastor for over 32 years and is currently the pastor at New life Baptist church. In his free time, he enjoys fishing and spending time with his wife of 24 years and his two kids, Silas and Claira.

Telephone: 1-334-298-8728

Ronald Shirley

Licensed Crematory Operator

Ronald Shirley attended Smiths Station High school and also went to seminary school. Before starting at Colonial in 2018, Ron spent fifteen years in a motorcycle ministry traveling the Southeast and worked at Easter Seals for over twenty-two years. Ron lived in Japan for a little over three years and has been a minister for forty-four years. In his free time, he enjoys playing music with his band “Redeemed” every Sunday, riding his motorcycle, and hiking.

Telephone: 1-334-298-8728

J.W. Jones

Staff Associate

James W.  Jones, a graduate from Smiths Station High school in 1982, started working in the funeral business in 1985. Before starting at Colonial in 2017, JW owned his own funeral home and became the pastor of HopeWell Baptist Church in Upatio, GA in 1990. In his free time, he enjoys hunting and fishing.

Telephone: 1-334-298-8728

Sharon Carpenter

Secretary

Sharon Carpenter, a graduate from Smiths Station High school in 1974, went to CVCC for 2 years and took AIB courses. In 1988 Sharon was chosen as Channel 9’s Special person for her work with the Special Olympics. Before starting at Colonial in 2019, Sharon has worked in the Funeral business for over thirty years, eighteen years in banking, and was a Girl Scout leader for nine years. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her kids, reading, jigsaw puzzles, crafts, road trips with her husband Wally, and helping out in her community.

Telephone: 1-334-298-8728

Email: 

Justin Jacobs

Staff Associate/ Licensed Crematory Operator

Justin Jacobs joined the Army shortly after graduating high school in 2017. He deployed to Afghanistan in support of Freedom’s Sentinel. In his free time, he enjoys driving around town, working on his car, shooting, and most importantly spending time with his daughter.

Telephone: 1-334-298-8728

Bo Brackin

Apprentice/ Licensed Crematory Operator

David "Bo" Brackin, a graduate from Smiths Station High School in 2011. He is currently enrolled in the Mortuary Science program at Jefferson State. Bo is one of seven siblings. In his free time, he enjoys collecting items, watching Star Wars, and spending time with his fiancé.    

Telephone: 1-334-298-8728

Dewayne Dean

Staff Associate

Dewayne Dean has been a member of the Colonial Funeral Home team since 2017. He graduated from Central High School in 1973, where he was all Bi City player on the baseball team. Dewayne worked for Norfolk Southern Railroad for 25 years and retired as a bridge foreman in 2004. He was former Pastor at Cedar Hills Baptist Church for 12 years, and is currently the Pastor at United Baptist Church for the last five years. Dewayne has been married to his wife, Carla, who is also a vital member of our support staff for 45 years and they have three children.

Mike Darlington

Staff Associate

Mike Darlington joined the Colonial Funeral Home & Crematory team in 2018. He is a member of Unity Baptist Church in Phenix City, Alabama. In his spare time, Mike enjoys fishing, participating in local fishing tournaments, working out at the gym, traveling, and going on cruises. Mike joined the United States Army in 1971 and retired after 28 years of service in the Army and Army Reserves. He then served and retired as Captain from Station 32 after 20 years of service at the Fort Benning Fire Department in 2009. Mike went on to work seven years in security for Phenix City. Mike will soon be celebrating 38 years of marriage to his wife, Kay, who is also an essential member of our support staff at Colonial Funeral Home.