Our Staff
Our family and staff aren’t like most traditional funeral homes.
“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by[a]one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.” Corinthians 12:12-27
We are a large, dynamic group of individuals dedicated to serving you. Our ministry team is designed to serve your family from the moment the death occurs and guide you through this season of your life.
Jeremy grew up between Coosa, GA, and Centre, AL, and he was 8 years old when he decided he wanted to be a veterinarian and an undertaker.
He is an Auburn alum, where he worked hard for and received a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Sciences and a Doctorate degree in Veterinary Medicine. Jeremy also holds licenses as a funeral director, cremationist, and preneed sales agent. He has been in the funeral industry since 2004. “The sacred honor of caring for a family member is something that I hold dear to my heart.”
When elected as Cherokee County Coroner, he proudly served the community during his term. Then in November 2024, Cherokee Memorial Funeral Home opened its doors. Jeremy also owns Deaton Veterinary Services, located in Cedar Bluff. Alongside these two full-time offices, Jeremy runs two non-profit organizations: Trinity Animal Foundation and Breaking Chains International.
He firmly believes Nehemiah 6:3: “And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?” He will do his best work for you and your family!
Don was born in Bowling Green, KY, and raised in Fairborn, OH. After 47 years in the wholesale hardware business, he has returned to his roots as a Funeral Director and Embalmer. Mr. Skaggs is a graduate of the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science of 1972. Mr. Skaggs and his wife recently moved to Cedar Bluff from Cedartown, GA about a year ago to enjoy their retirement on our beautiful Weiss Lake. God had different plans, and brought him back into the funeral business after his family started using Dr. Deaton for their sweet dachshund, Teddy. After 50 years of marriage and the blessing of 3 beautiful children and 10 lovely grandchildren, he has walked through the loss of a granddaughter, both parents, and a son- which has helped him in understanding grief with families. God has called the Skaggs family to a ministry right here in Cherokee County, serving the community not only in the funeral business, but also in their local church, Pine Grove Baptist. Don loves being out on his new pontoon in Weiss Lake and spending time with his family.
“In the senior years of my life, I’ve realized that I want to give back to the community and to support those who are walking through the same grief my family and I have endured over the past few years. The funeral industry is a ministry to me, to be able to serve others with deep understanding of their emotions and loss.”
A Cherokee County native, Haylee started her career in funeral care back in 2011. She received her associate degree as a Medical Lab Technician in 2017, and she worked alongside our owner, Dr. Jeremy Deaton, during his term as the Cherokee County Coroner.
She has found that working with grieving families is very near and dear to her heart, especially after the passing of her husband in 2023.
Haylee says, "To me, working at the funeral home is not a job, it is a God-given opportunity that allows me to treat each family as they are my own, with the respect and dignity they deserve.”
Haylee is now remarried and a proud mother to her daughter and two chosen/step-children. She lives on her hobby farm in Leesburg.
Haylee works as the Operations Director, Licensed Apprentice Funeral Director and Embalmer.
Born and raised in Gurley, AL, Frankie works closely with the Mennonite community in Etheridge, TN, facilitating the custom build of our caskets.
Frankie is a legend across Sand Mountain for all of his years of service working with families. He is always willing to give his opinion on any situation, giving his motto “Straight talk is easy to understand.”
We're so grateful for the hard work Frankie does to provide families with personalized caskets and a unique way to honor the lives of loved ones.
After the profound loss of his father in 2020, Robby felt a strong desire to help others navigate their grief. While exploring job opportunities, the role of funeral assistant fell right into his lap after meeting Dr. Deaton and his team at the Vet Clinic.
Robby shares, “The most meaningful part of my job is making sure that all families get the same care that I would want my family to have!" He lives in Cedar Bluff with his three dogs and three cats. In his free time, he enjoys exploring the outdoors and relaxing by the lake.
After losing a loved one, you need caring people around you every step of the way. Rickey Roberts, Funeral Assistant, is committed to ensuring that every family receives the compassion and support they need.
With 14 years of experience in the funeral industry, Rickey dedicates himself to providing excellent care during times of loss. As a lifelong native of Centre, he is passionate about serving the people in our community.
When fall arrives, you can find him cheering on the University of Alabama and yelling "Roll Tide!" alongside his wife and children.
Partner Companies
Cherokee memorial partners with other independent, locally owned businesses to help provide the fastest and most dependable services to you as we walk through this season of your life.
