Our Staff

Sam and Ashley Way

Owners

Sam Way is a licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer who was born and raised in Ellaville, Georgia. He is the son of Clarence Way and Mitzi Way.  He graduated from Schley County High School in 2004.  Sam graduated from Ogeechee Technical College in March of 2008 with his Associates Degree in Funeral Service.  He served as Funeral Director in Macon and Columbus for a total of 5 years before joining Watson-Giddens & Watson-Tante Funeral Homes. He's worked with Eddie & Sharon Watson for 6 years, and looks forward to continuing the level of service they have strived to attain. 

Ashley was born and raised in Oglethorpe and Ellaville and is the daughter of Paul and Berta Cox.  She graduated from Schley County High School in 2006. 

Sam and Ashley and their five children: Breanna, CJ, Robert, Heavenly and Livie, live in the Doyle community of Marion County.  They are members of New Providence Baptist Church. 

Email: samwayfd@gmail.com

Eddie and Sharon Watson

Funeral Director and Funeral Attendant

Eddie and Sharon Watson purchased Watson-Giddens Funeral Home in 1999 and Watson-Tante Funeral Home in 2011.  They strive to continue to serve families with the same care and compassion people of this area have grown accustomed to.  They consider this a way to minister to people at a very difficult time in their lives. 

Eddie has worked in the funeral home industry since 1994.  He attended Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science and graduated in 1998 as a licensed funeral director and embalmer. Eddie also serves on the Board of Directors for Sumter EMC and Chairman of the Board for Schley County Zoning Board.

Sharon Grimsley Watson was born and raised in Ellaville, Georgia.  She is a licensed pre-need insurance consultant and works beside Eddie in the funeral homes.  Sharon also serves as Treasurer for the Schley County Historical Society.

Eddie and Sharon were married in 1982 and are blessed with two children and four grandchildren.  They attend Ellaville Baptist Church where Eddie served as a deacon and Sharon sings in the choir.  They are involved in the community and are proud to live and serve this area. 

P. J. Wilson

Office Manager/Funeral Director & Embalmer & Certified Crematory Operator

P. J. Riner Wilson is a licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer and office manager at Way-Watson Funeral Home.  She recently became a licensed pre-need insurance consultant. P. J. was born and raised in Marion County.  She graduated from Tri-County High School in Marion County in 1997 and from Ogeechee Technical College in May 2013 with an Associates Degree in Funeral Service. She has been employed with Way-Watson Funeral Home since 2007.  Currently residing in Marion County with her husband, Jesse Wilson, she has two daughters, Avery and Austin.  She is a member of the Ellaville-Schley County Historical Society.

Email: waywatsonbv@gmail.com

Malinda McKinney

Office Manager/Funeral Attendant

Malinda McKinney is office manager at Watson-Giddens Funeral Home and serves as funeral attendant.  She has worked at the funeral home since 2004.  Malinda is married and has two children and six grandchildren.  She attends Ellaville Baptist Church.

Marc Ellis

Funeral Attendant & Certified Crematory Operator

Marc Ellis serves as funeral attendant.  He was born and raised in Schley County and the son of Marcene and Hazel Rigsby Ellis.  He has worked part time for the funeral home since 1989.  Marc has been a Georgia State Trooper since 1982 and retired in 2014.  He is married to the former Angie Stubbs and has 3 children and 4 grandchildren.  Marc attends Ellaville United Methodist Church.

Jerry Gentry

Funeral Attendant

Jerry Gentry joins us as a funeral attendant with over 30 years of experience in the funeral industry.  He is preceded in death by his wife, Becky and a son, Tim Speck.  He has a step-daughter, Wendy Jones and  he is a member at Plains United Methodist Church.  

Rev. Hugh Harbort

Funeral Attendant

Rev. Hugh Harbort has lived with his wife, Gina in the Shiloh community for over 40 years.  He served as Pastor at Shiloh Baptist Church from 1979 until 2017.

He has three sons, Scott and his wife, Leann, Ken and his wife, Cindy, and David and his wife, Andrea. He has two granddaughters, and five grandsons.  

Hugh looks forward to continuing his ministry to families and supporting them in the funeral industry.