At the 139th annual Alabama Funeral Directors’ Association convention, Chilton County Funeral Homes were recognized for both leadership and long standing commitment to their communities. Aaron Ellison with Ellison Memorial Funeral Home received the Twenty Year Service Certificate and the Dr. Calvin Meadows Young Funeral Service Professionals Award. He was also inaugurated as President of the Alabama Funeral Directors’ Association, becoming the first funeral director from Chilton County to hold the position. He has been active in the association for 15 years, described his work as a calling to serve families during their most difficult moments and help carry some of the weight of grief.
Bobby Martin with Martin Funeral Home was honored with the 60 Year Service Pin, recognizing a lifetime dedicated to funeral service. He reflected on how the profession has changed over the decades, recalling a time when funeral homes often doubled as family residences and staff personally handled every step of care, from picking up the deceased to preparing them for visitation in the home. He also expressed appreciation to the community for more than a century of trust in his family’s service. In addition, Day Agee with Agee Brothers Funeral Home was elected to represent District 4, which includes Chilton County.