Ken Austin

Funeral Assistant

Ken is originally from Texas and attended the University of Georgia.  With a background in the service industry, hospitality comes naturally to Ken.  Since his return to Georgia, he has earned a ministry license from the Baptist Church.  Ken is a member of Rehoboth Baptist Church in Luthersville and is available to assist families in need.

Scott Blake

Funeral Assistant

Philip Scott Blake is a native of north central West Virginia where he attended college and moved to the Newnan area in 2006.  He is married to April, and they have 3 children, Dylan, Ethan, and Caleb.  Scott also has a career as a mechanical engineer, and his wife is a paraprofessional for the Coweta County School system.  Scott's family enjoys the outdoors, and attends Without Walls Ministries where he serves as pastor.  Scott considers it an honor to work with, and assist the Hillcrest family, and to support each family in their time of need, with the utmost respect.

Terry Calhoun

Senior Funeral Assistant

Terry is a native Coweta Countian.  He retired as the Chief Juvenile Intake Officer for Coweta County where he had opportunity to help many young people through the years.  He pastors Living by Faith Church in Newnan. Terry is a funeral assistant and works all visitations. He also served in the United States Army. Terry is here to help any family in their time of need. 

Anthony Grant

Funeral Assistant

Anthony is a native Coweta Countian. He retired from the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office and served in Law Enforcement for 19 years. He is a member of Without Walls Ministries where he is the Worship Leader. He is married to Jessica Grant and they have two Children Chasity and Anthony II. 

Christie Hayes

Funeral Director & Embalmer

Christie is a native to the South Atlanta area. After graduating from high school, she went to Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service where she earned an Associate Degree in Funeral Service. She became a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in 1995. She also became an Atlanta Falcons Cheerleader in 1995 and continued to assist families in the local funeral home during that time. Christie married her husband, Scott Hayes who is a licensed general contractor, and it was with his urging that she decided to get her Real Estate Salesperson license. Christie is valued funeral director for our firm.

Patrick Holden

Funeral Assistant

Patrick is a native of East Point, Georgia. He served for 20 years with the Atlanta City Fire Department as a firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). During his courageous duty and commitment to ensuring the safety of the community and others, he received two Medal of Valor awards. He enjoys being active with Truth in Nature, an outdoor ministry, dedicated to engaging, supporting, and mentoring young men from fatherless single parent homes. He is a current staff member of Crossroads Church, and faithfully serves and attends there as well. Pat is here to serve families in any way he can.

Tammy Lee

Funeral Assistant & Community Outreach Coordinator

Tammy joined our staff in July of 2020.  Raised in Riverdale, she attended Clayton State College for Emergency Medical and Phlebotomy, she also attended West Georgia Technical College for Medical Assisting and has over 28 years in the medical field. She is married to Jeff, Auburn University graduate and a Mechanical Engineer in Atlanta, and they have three precious grandchildren, Jackson, Noah, and Maggie. Tammy loves to laugh and has a wonderful sense of humor. She and her family are longtime active member at Crossroads Church. Tammy also attends Open Door Baptist Church in Senoia and Gulf Beach Baptist in Panama City Beach, Florida.  Tammy considers it an honor to be of service to our families during their time of need, and we are excited to have her as a part of our staff.

Dr. Jimmy Lester

Funeral Assistant

Jimmy joined our staff in February of 2023. He grew up in the College Park area and attended College Park High School. Jimmy joined the Army at 17 and served 15 months in Vietnam as a door gunner/mechanic on an UH-1H helicopter. After returning home Jimmy dedicated his life to Christ and was called to preach in 1972. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in in Biblical Studies and a Doctorate in Religious Education from Antioch Bible College and a PhD in Christian Psychology from Logos University in Jacksonville, Florida. For over 20 years he has served as the Pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Whitesburg. Jimmy and his wife Sandra have been married for 55 years, and they have 3 children, 10 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren. 

Greg Morris

Funeral Assistant

Greg joined our staff in January, 2022, he is a native of Palmetto and a graduate of West Georgia Technical College and Andersonville Seminary. Greg serves as the senior pastor at First Baptist Church of Hogansville.  He has served as a corporate chaplain, hospice chaplain, and hospital chaplain.  Greg enjoys his family and Church, and serving the community.  Greg is here to help in anyway he can.

Ricky Ragan

Funeral Assistant

Ricky grew up in Senoia, and  attended East Coweta High School.  He graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Building Construction, and has been a contractor in our area for 35 years.  Ricky married the former Sharon Massengale 33 years ago and they have two grown daughters, Lauren Phillips, and Lindsey Ragan, and three grandchildren. 

Collin Wilson

Funeral Assistant

Collin joined our staff in August of 2022, he is a native of Savannah and the oldest son of Joe Wilson. Collin graduated from Augusta University in May of 2022 and is now enrolled in the graduate degree program at the University of West Georgia in Carrollton. Collin and his fiance, Sydney now make their home in Newnan, along with their two dogs, Bentley and Rosie. Collin is excited to be a part of the Hillcrest family and is here to assist in any way he can.

Richard "Ted" Clay

In Memoriam

March 5, 1947 - February 14, 2021

Richard preached the Gospel for over 55 years and was the founder and pastor of Miracle Tabernacle Family Worship Center for 40 years.  He loved spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ and never met a stranger.  He had the biggest smile that would light up the room and loved telling jokes and making people smile.  Richard loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, and loved eating, cutting grass, and traveling to Florida and Pigeon Forge.  Since 1968, Richard has been an integral part of the staff of Hillcrest Chapel and has ministered to countless grieving families over the years.