Our History
H. Roger Cauthen graduated from the Gupton Jones School of Embalming in 1932. He and his wife, Ruby Lloyd Sistare Cauthen opened their first Funeral Home in 1940 in Lancaster. As their family grew, so did their business. Roger and Ruby Lloyd, as they were known, opened a funeral home in Kershaw in the mid 1940's. Their sons become funeral directors like their parents. Under the guidance of Hazel Cauthen and his wife Kay, the business grew even more, opening a funeral home and cemetery in Rock Hill, and purchasing Wolfe Funeral Home in Fort Mill.
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Hazel R. Cauthen Jr. Funeral Director #1528
Hazel was born into funeral service. His Father was a funeral director/embalmer and graduated from Mortuary College in 1932. His Mother was also a Funeral Director, as well as his older brother, wife and daughter. He has been a Funeral Director/Embalmer for over fifty five years, and is licensed in both South Carolina and North Carolina. His parents founded Cauthen Funeral Home in Lancaster and Kershaw, he and his wife Kay founded Lancaster Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cremation Specialist and My Best Friend Pet Cremation. Hazel was born and raised in Lancaster, having graduated from Lancaster High School and also attended the University of South Carolina – Lancaster Regional Campus. He graduated from Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science and the University of South Carolina - Columbia. He and his family are members of First A. R. P. Church of Lancaster. He has served his profession well. He served all offices of the South Carolina Funeral Directors Association, including as its President. He has served on the Policy Board of the National Funeral Directors Association, as well as on the associations Business Practices Committee. Hazel has made four presentations to fellow Funeral Directors at the associations annual National Conference. He has served on the South Carolina State Board of Funeral Service. He was, twice named “Funeral Director of the Year” by the Pee Dee Funeral Directors Association. He is a life member of the Academy of Professional Service Practice, where he as served on the Board of Trustees and as its President and is a "Certified Funeral Service Practitioner." He is also a "Certified Crematory Operator." Always promoting education, Hazel has served on Board of Visitors of Charleston Southern University as well as on the American Board of Funeral Service Education. He served as a member of the Advisory Board of “The South Carolina Center for Funeral Service Education” at Greenwood Technical College for over twenty five years. Always active in his community, Hazel is a Mason and a Shriner, member of the Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce and is active in other community organizations. He and his wife, Kay reside in Lancaster.
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Kay C. Cauthen Funeral Director/Owner #2022
Kay has been a Funeral Director for more than twenty years, and is licensed in both South Carolina and North Carolina. She and her husband Hazel founded Lancaster Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cremation Specialist and My Best Friend Pet Cremation. Kay was born and raised in Lancaster. She graduated from Lancaster High School and attended the University of South Carolina – Lancaster Regional Campus, and the University of South Carolina - Columbia. She graduated from the University of South Carolina - Columbia. Kay served all offices of the South Carolina Funeral Directors Association, including as its President. She is a life member of the Academy of Professional Service Practice, a "Certified Funeral Service Practitioner", and is a "Certified Crematory Operator". Kay served on the Board of Visitors of Charleston Southern University. Kay is member of the Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce and is active in other community functions. She and her husband Hazel, reside in Lancaster. They are members of the First A.R.P. Church of Lancaster.
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Derrick Robinson Manager/Funeral Director/Embalmer #2257
A Lancaster Native, Derrick began his career in funeral service as an apprentice at Cauthen Funeral Home. He is a Graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Atlanta, Georgia. Derrick has a professional license in Funeral Service in both South Carolina and North Carolina, is National Board Certified and is a Certified Crematory Operator. He has over thirty years of funeral/cremation experience.
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Randy Davis Funeral Director/Embalmer #3493
Randy is a dual licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer and also has specialized skills in other areas. He is an ordained Southern Baptist Minister and has pastored for 30 years. In addition, Randy leads music for congregational singing and directs a choir. Randy received part of his education at Wingate University where he earned his BS and graduated cum laude. He received his Funeral Service education at Piedmont Technical College in Greenwood, SC where he graduated with honors and earned another Associates degree. Randy enjoys the company of other people and he believes that a career in Funeral Service is a calling, and he is grateful that the Lord has given him the ability to help people through one of life's greatest trials. There have been many occasions when he has provided pastoral care for grieving families that did not have a minister. Randy loves to be outdoors and when he has some personal time, he enjoys hunting and fishing. In addition, he likes to travel to new places, cook, and entertain. His musical interests range from church hymns to Blue Grass. Randy and his wife Kathy are very proud of their son Blake who is an NC State graduate and works in the poultry industry.
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Terry Sears Chandler Office Administrator
Terry is a Lancaster High School graduate and began her career for Springs Industries in 1979 where she worked for 28 years until the plant relocated to Brazil. The last 10 years she worked in office administration. She attended York Technical College where she received a certificate in Medical Office Administration. She began working for Lancaster Funeral Home in 2010 as their office administrator. Terry is a member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Lancaster where she is a member of the Adult Sunday School Class. She has served as church clerk, as well as helped teach Mission Friends. Terry and Chuck have two daughters, Miranda and Morgan and a grandson, Luke. They reside in Lancaster.
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Brittany Aldridge Funeral Director/ Embalming Apprentice /Crematory Operator #4408
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Abby Brewer Funeral Director/ Embalming Apprentice #4484
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Steve Hoke Funeral Assistant
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Todd Robinson Crematory Operator/ Funeral Assistant
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Johnny Usher Crematory Operator/Funeral Assistant
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Howard Williams Funeral Assistant
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Jelly Bean Cauthen CEO (Canine Executive Officer)
August 6, 2004 -- April 6, 2022Jelly Bean Cauthen was named CEO (Canine Executive Officer) of My Best Friend Pet Cremation. He is a resident of Lancaster and lives with his grandparents, Hazel and Kay Cauthen and his girlfriend, Teddy. Jelly Bean enjoys going on walks, running in his doggy park, taking naps and performing tricks. His outgoing personality allows him to quickly make friends.***********************************Jelly Bean has been in declining health these last few months. He crossed the "Rainbow Bridge" this morning (Wednesday, April 6, 2022) while being held by Kay. He was just a few months short of his 18th birthday. He was my "Bud." He made sure that I walked twice a day, per my Dr.'s orders. I will surely miss him as we spent numerous hours walking our neighborhood looking out for friends and making new ones. Of course he was cremated at "My Best Friend Pet Cremation" where he was 'CEO" Canine Executive Officer. I will miss Him. ---- Hazel
