History & Staff

Dub Music was born in Hahira, Ga. and is the son of the late W.G. "Glyndon" and Maxine Music. He graduated from Lanier County High School in Lakeland and Gupton-Jones School of Funeral Service in 1974. He is a member of the Lanier County Lions Club, Lakeland Masonic Lodge #434 and the Georgia Funeral Directors Association. He also served on the board of the Independent Funeral Directors of Georgia, Advisory Board Chairman of Lanier Health Services and is Deputy Coroner of Lanier County. He is married to Wilma Wacter, daughter of the late Walter and Marie Wacter of Lake Park. They have 4 Sons: Casey, Michael, Lee and Kyle. They are members of Southside Baptist Church.

Casey L. Music was born in Valdosta and is the son of Dub & Wilma Music and the late Judy C. Music. He graduated from Lanier County High School and Gupton-Jones School of Funeral Service where he received the Richard Stewart Memorial Scholarship. He served on the board of the Academy of Graduate Embalmers, member of Lakeland Masonic Lodge #434 & Azalea Lodge #716. He is married to Valdosta native, Brooke Dean, daughter of Larry and Beth Dean of Lake Park. Casey and Brooke have a daughter, Kaytibeth, and a son, Aubrey, and are members of The Porch Community Church. He enjoys spending time at the lakes with his family and most any outdoor activity.

Brooke has been married to Casey since 2002, but around the funeral business since 1996. Brooke was born and raised in Valdosta and graduated from both Lowndes High School and Valdosta State University. She is the daughter of Larry and Beth Dean. Brooke and Casey have two children, Kaytibeth and Aubrey. When Brooke is not at the funeral home, she enjoys spending time with her children, riding on the ranger, and spending time at the lakes. She loves animals and brings joy to all who know her.

Lee Music, born in Lakeland, GA, is the third oldest son of Dub and Wilma Music, and is a graduate of Ogeechee Technical College for Mortuary in Statesboro, GA. He has been an Apprentice with Music Funeral Services since graduating from Lanier County High School in 2012. He is also an alumni of Georgia Military College and a member of Southside Baptist Church. Lee is married to April Browning and he enjoys hunting, fishing, and riding his ranger.

Alan Stone a native of Adel, Georgia. Alan was born in Albany, Georgia at Turner Air Field. He graduated Cook High School in Adel, Georgia. He began his career in Funeral Service while still in high school. He served his apprenticeship, attended and graduated Jefferson State Mortuary College in Birmingham, Alabama. Alan resides in Lakeland, Georgia.

Alan joined Music Funeral Services as a full-time employee in December of 2016. He is an apprentice with plans to attend Ogeechee Technical College in the future to get his license for a Funeral Director/Embalmer. Alan was born in Long Beach, CA, to the late Robert M. and Dee Dee Leonard. In 1971, he moved to Lake Park, GA where he attended and graduated from Lowndes High School. He has served as Coroner for Echols County since 2008 and also serves as the Region 5 District Director for the Georgia Coroner’s Association. Alan has three beautiful daughters, Emily, Sarah, and Kaelyn, and he is a member of Enoch Creek Community Church in Echols County.

Janet Newton has been our Office Manager since 2012 and keeps both the Lakeland and Valdosta offices running smoothly! In addition to the myriad of services she provides, Janet processes all insurance documents and death certificate paperwork for our served families. Janet hails from Hahira where she was born and raised, her parents are Johnny and Rudine Vickers. She has two daughters, Alexis and Logan, and one granddaughter, Adalyn. Janet is proud to be a graduate of Lowndes High School and still has close relationships with many of her classmates. She loves the beach, traveling and spending priceless moments with her family and friends.

Cole Tucker joined our family in August of 2019 as an apprentice. He is interested in the funeral business and possibly pursing a career as a funeral director. He graduated in June of 2020 from Lowndes County High School. Cole primarily works in our Valdosta location where he can be found answering phones, assisting in arrangements with families, and working funerals, Cole is a well-rounded employee of Music Funeral Services. He is a member of Open Bible Baptist Church in Valdosta, GA. Cole also has an active career in ventriloquism and often preforms shows in the Valdosta area. His hobbies include cooking and traveling with his family. He plans to attend Georgia Military College in the Fall.

Janice Harnage has been a mainstay with Music Funeral Services since 1992 and keeps the Lakeland office in tip-top shape and we couldn’t run the office as efficiently without her knowledge and expertise. When you call or visit the Lakeland funeral home, you feel welcomed by Janice’s helpful attitude. She was born and raised in Lakeland, GA. Her parents were Lossie & Ava Nell (Browning) Miller, who raised 11 children. Janice retired from the Lanier County School System in 2011 and is a member of the Little Block Holiness Church. She was married to Russell Harnage for seven years before he passed away in 1998. Russell was also employed with Music Funeral Services since 1988. She has one daughter, Lisa Johnson; two grandsons, Matthew and Dillon Parker; and three great grandsons, Wyatt, Charles and Memphis Parker. Her hobbies include reading and ironing.

Nathan Wrye joined our Music family in October of 2020. He currently attends Lanier County High School. Nathan has an interest in funeral directing and possibly having a career in the industry. He works between the Valdosta and Lakeland locations and will most often be found working funerals and visitations. When not in school or at the funeral home, Nathan enjoys fishing, hunting, and most of all, hanging out with his girlfriend, Jenna. Nathan has a kind heart and fun-loving personality that goes hand in hand with our one-of-a-kind level of service.

Tommy has been a Funeral Director for many years and he works part time with us. He lives in Lake Park with his wife, Gwen and they have one son and two precious granddaughters. Tommy is a proud veteran of the United States Army National Guard and retired from the parts department at Langdale Ford Company after 27 years. He and his wife enjoy traveling the back roads on their motorcycle. Tommy is a member of the Patriot Guard Riders.

Bill Young was born in Valdosta and still resides here today with his wife Ann. They have one son and three grandchildren. Bill is a veteran of the United States Army and retired from the United States Postal Service. He enjoys spending time with his family and traveling around the country, having recently taken his entire family on a vacation to the Dominican Republic. Bill has been a part-time funeral assistant at Music Funeral Services for many years, providing comfort and care to our families.

Don Fender has been with Music Funeral Services since 2018. He was born in Lakeland to the late Rabon and Vonda Fender, and raised in Echols County where he graduated from Echols County High School with honors. Don has been a Georgia High School Association sports official for over 15 years, calling basketball, baseball, and girls fast-pitch softball. He has also been a minister in the Church of God for over 25 years. Don is married to Tami Lynn Allen Fender, daughter of Mary Linda Allen and the late Jesse Allen of Lakeland, and together they pastor the Alapaha Church of God. When he's not working Don enjoys bluegrass and southern gospel music, high school and college football, hunting, fishing, and spending time with his sons Robbie and Gage.

Jerry Littleton has been with Music Funeral Services for over 17 years. He has a heart for serving families during the saddest times of their lives. His compassion for people is one of his greatest attributes, making him a true blessing to the Music family. Jerry lost his wife Jenny in 2016; they had been married for 58 years and had two sons, Michael and Jerry, Jr. For years, Jerry and his family have had a completely operational professional rodeo. They have a professional arena, six bucking shuts, and calf roping shuts, along with longhorns and black angus cattle. Jerry spent 26 years in the Air Force and NC National Guard. Jerry has also been a Mason for nearly 50 years.

Gary Stone has been with Music Funeral Services for over 20 years. He is the maintenance custodian for both our Lakeland and Valdosta locations. Gary is a long-time resident of Lakeland, GA. He has a sweet Jack Russell Terrier named Roscoe. His hobbies include fishing, which he does whenever he has an opportunity, and watching classic television shows.

Derrik McLeod has been with our Music Family since June of 2006. He graduated from Lowndes High School and studied at Valdosta State University. He works part time and helps out at both our locations in Valdosta and Lakeland, as needed. With Derrik's great personality, he is an asset to our company. Derrik served our community for several years in law enforcement. He is currently the agency owner of Derrik McLeod-Farmer Insurance Agency on Bemiss Road and is currently a Realtor Sales Associate with The American Dream. He is married to Jennie and they have two children, Rylee and Addison. Derrik and his family enjoy the RV camping life and are avid Walt Disney World fans.

James L. Guthrie, Jr. has joined our team here at Music Funeral Services full time as of June 2021. He was born in Valdosta to the late Mary C and James L. Guthrie, Sr. He attended Lowndes High School and graduated in 1984. He attended Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service in Houston, TX and graduated with honors. Additional studies were completed at Emmanuel College in Franklin Springs, Georgia; Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA from which he earned a Licentiate in Theology Degree; and United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio graduating with his Doctor of Ministry degree in 2018. James began his funeral service career in 1999 and has served with Music Funeral Services in Lakeland, Georgia; National Memorial Park/National Funeral Home in Falls Church, Virginia, and Ricketson Funeral Home Inc. in Douglas, Georgia. He is the author of several books, is an ordained minister in the Anglican Church of North America and enjoys writing, reading, composing music and traveling. He resides in Valdosta with his wife Linda.