OUR STAFF

Craig Summerford was born and raised in Aberdeen, Mississippi and began working in the funeral industry in junior high school. Craig and his wife Bonnie moved to Columbus, in 1999, and he began his association with Memorial Funeral Home. He is a member of the Mississippi Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association, along with being a member of the Columbus Exchange Club. Craig is a 2005 honor graduate of the East Mississippi Community College Funeral Technology Service Program, where he was the recipient of the 2005 Gayle Galloway student of the year award given by the Mississippi Funeral Directors Association. Craig is a certified crematory operator, a pre-arrangement counselor, and an agent for Columbus Marble Works. Craig and Bonnie are members of First Baptist Church, Columbus, they have 5 children and 10 grandchildren.

Hollis Knight Peel was born and raised in Greenwood, MS, and is a graduate of Pillow Academy. After receiving his degree in Business Administration from the University of Mississippi, he moved to Columbus in 1988 to join the staff of Gunter & Peel Funeral Home as a licensed funeral director. Ten years later, Hollis pursued his funeral service license that combines funeral directing and embalming from East Mississippi Community College where he received an Associate of Applied Science degree in Funeral Service Technology and finished number one in his class. He enjoyed his many years in funeral service in Columbus and Lowndes County and is a member of the Mississippi Funeral Directors Association and National Funeral Directors Association. Hollis is a member of the Columbus Kiwanis Club where he has served as President and Lieutenant Governor. He has been a licensed prearrangement counselor for over twenty five years in Columbus and Lowndes County and is also an agent of Columbus Marble Works. Hollis is married to the former Leslie Thomas of Columbus and they have two sons, Lawson and Hayden. He and his family are members of First Methodist Church of Columbus.

Hayley Dees was born and raised in Tuscaloosa, Al. She moved to Columbus in 2002 to attend Mississippi University for Women where she obtained a Bachelors of Science degree in Speech Language Pathology. She is also an honor graduate of East Mississippi Community College Funeral Service Technology Program where she received an Associates of Applied Science degree. In 2006, she was named the Gale M. Galloway student of the year by The Mississippi Funeral Directors Association. She is a licensed Funeral Director and a certified crematory operator. Hayley is married to Chad Dees and they have two children, Caden and Reed. Their family attends Mt. Vernon Church in New Hope, MS.

Leland Gilmore was born in Birmingham, AL and moved to Columbus in 1964. Leland is a Mississippi State University graduate with degrees in Business Administration and Political Science. He began working in funeral service in 1975 and is a Licensed Funeral Director and a Licensed Crematory Operator. He is a member of First Methodist Church in Columbus, and a member and secretary of Columbus Masonic Lodge No. 5.

Pete Bowen was born and raised in Lowndes County, MS. He is a graduate of S.D. Lee High School and attended Mississippi State University. Pete worked for the Columbus Police Department for 27 years and served as Chief of Detectives before retiring as Police Chief. He also worked as Security Coordinator of the Columbus City Schools. Pete was the past president of the Mississippi Association of Chiefs of Police and was a former member and past president of the Columbus Civitan Club. He also served on the board of Recovery House and is on the current board of Columbus Crime Stoppers. Pete is a member of the Steens Church of Christ and has enjoyed volunteering with the United Way, Safe Haven, and Contact Helpline. He is married to the former Edna Murphy and they have a daughter, Kim Parker, and 5 grandchildren.

Wayne is a native of Columbus, MS, having graduated from S.D. Lee High School. He is married to the former Sue Parrish and worked for Sunflower Food Stores for 41 years before his retirement. Wayne joined the staff of Gunter & Peel Funeral Home in 1990 as a funeral assistant and has enjoyed helping families for many years. His giving spirit to others makes him a natural fit for the dedicated staff of Memorial and Gunter & Peel Funeral Homes. Wayne and Sue are members of First United Methodist Church.