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October 31, 2024
Halloween 2024 at Legacy Funeral Group

Happy Halloween!

At Legacy Funeral Group, one of the core values that drives our success is fostering a strong sense of camaraderie among our team members. A united, supportive work environment boosts morale and helps us provide the best possible service.


To emphasize this bond, Legacy hosts its much-anticipated Annual Halloween Party.


It's an occasion where employees can relax, have fun, and connect outside of the usual workday atmosphere. This spirited celebration has become one of the year's highlights, filled with joy and laughter.


At Legacy, we pride ourselves on curating an environment where everyone feels valued and respected.

More From Legacy

Legacy Funeral Group's 11th Annual Crawfish Boil (2026)

April 24, 2026
REFLECTING ON AN INCREDIBLE YEAR The Legacy team gathered once again at the Home Office in Houston, TX for our 11th Annual Crawfish Boil, bringing colleagues together from across the organization. This annual gathering gives us the opportunity to reflect on the year behind us and recognize the incredible individuals who make our organization what it is. 2025 EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR AWARDS This year, we recognized several individuals across the organization for their exceptional performance and dedication. Harry Drew - Legacy President's Award Home Office | Houston, TX Tonya Combest - Manager of the Year Combest Family Funeral Homes & Crematory | Lubbock, O'Donnell & Tahoka, TX George King - Funeral Professional of the Year Pellerin Funeral Homes | Iberia Parish, LA Eric McCrossen - Sales Professional of the Year Resthaven Gardens of Memory & Funeral Home | Baton Rouge, LA Thomas McBride - Maintenance Professional of the Year Bunker's Funeral Homes & Cemeteries | Las Vegas, NV Donna Richard - Administrator of the Year Louisiana Holdings | Eunice, LA SaTara West - Legacy Home Office Employee of the Year Home Office | Houston, TX HONORING A LEGACY Among the award recipients, special recognition was given to Harry Drew, who received the Legacy President's Award in honor of his 18 years of dedicated service as Chief Financial Officer. Throughout his tenure, Harry has been a respected and trusted leader, guiding the company through periods of growth, challenge, and transformation with integrity and care. As he prepares to retire this May, we celebrate Harry’s many accomplishments and the lasting impact he’s had on Legacy and the many lives he’s touched throughout his career. 2025 EXCELLENCE IN CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARDS ReederVogel Advertising also presented three funeral homes with the Excellence in Customer Service Award, honoring locations that demonstrated exceptional care and service to the families they serve. Recipients were selected based on the Family Satisfaction Survey feedback and Google review ratings, with locations grouped by their 2025 annual case volume. Combest Family Funeral Homes & Crematory - Managed by Tonya Combest 301+ Families Served | Lubbock, O'Donnell & Tahoka, TX Magnolia Chapel Funeral Homes - Managed by Danah Minges 151-300 Families Served | Northport & Tuscaloosa, AL Ascension Funeral Home - Managed by Jeff Cain 0-150 Families Served | Gonzales, LA PARTNER RECOGNITION Additionally, we were honored to receive the 2025 Top Ownership Group Award from Funeral Directors Life. We’re grateful for their continued partnership and the support they provide across our organization and in the communities we serve. CELEBRATING THE LEGACY FAMILY We are proud to celebrate another year of growth, leadership, and tradition. Events like the Crawfish Boil remind us that while our company continues to expand, our strength will always come from the people who make up the Legacy family.

Martinez West Funeral Home Grand Opening, Odessa, Texas

February 4, 2026
We are pleased to share that the newly established Martinez West Funeral Home in Odessa, Texas, recently celebrated its Grand Opening with a community-wide event on January 22, welcoming more than 300 guests. Led by Managing Funeral Director, Tristan Herrera, alongside Area Manager, Billy Vallie Jr., the Grand Opening celebration brought together families, friends, and community members for an afternoon of connection and hospitality. Guests enjoyed catering by the local Chuck Wagon Gang and live music by Mariachi band Son de Chihuahua, creating a warm and festive atmosphere throughout the event. Martinez West Funeral Home and Crematory is located in west Odessa. Together with Martinez Funeral Home and Crematory on South Dixie Boulevard and Sunset Memorial Gardens off I-20, we are positioned to support every family across Odessa, offering thoughtful services and options to meet a full range of needs and budgets. The strong turnout and positive community response reflect the important role Martinez West Funeral Home plays in serving families with compassion, professionalism, and care. We’re proud to welcome this location as it continues to build meaningful relationships within the community. Please join us in congratulating the Martinez West Funeral Home team on a successful Grand Opening and this exciting milestone

Memorial Oaks Chapel Opens New Location in Carmine, Texas

January 15, 2026
We’re excited to announce that Memorial Oaks Chapel has officially opened a new location in Carmine, Texas. Located at 107 Augsburg Avenue in Carmine, the new location will serve the communities of Round Top, Carmine, La Grange, Giddings, Burton, Windale, Warrenton, and the surrounding communities. This expansion reflects our continued commitment to providing compassionate, professional service close to home.  An Open House Grand Opening celebration was held on December 3, 2025, welcoming approximately 185 community members. Guests enjoyed catering from JW’s Steakhouse, and live music from the Black Cat Choir Trio, helping make the event both welcoming and memorable. We’re happy to share that the Carmine location is now open and available for services. Thank you to everyone who helped make this Grand Opening and event a success. Please join us in congratulating the Memorial Oaks Chapel team on this exciting milestone.

Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Earns 2nd Place in Ozark Christmas Parade

December 31, 2025
The 2025 Christmas season was filled with celebration and community spirit in Ozark, Alabama, as the Kiwanis Club of Ozark hosted its annual Christmas Parade. Among the many festive entries, Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home proudly participated with a beautifully designed float that captured the heart of the community - earning an impressive 2nd place award. The float was brought to life through the dedication and collaboration of several team members and friends. Special recognition goes to Lauren Chancey, Elizabeth Gericke, Justin English, and Jason and Megan DiFilippo. Lauren Chancey and Megan DiFilippo crafted many of the float’s decorations by hand, investing significant time and creativity into making the display truly stand out. Jason and Megan DiFilippo generously contributed their time and talent, helping transform the vision into a festive reality. Their combined efforts resulted in a float that reflected not only the joy of the season, but also the strong relationships and community ties that define Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home. Events like the Ozark Christmas Parade highlight the power of community connection. From planning and decorating to celebrating alongside neighbors and friends, the experience was a meaningful reminder of the funeral home’s commitment to being actively involved in the lives of the families they serve. "We truly enjoy being one with our community, and we’re already looking forward to creating even more memories together." -John Cawley, Managing Funeral Director

Welcome David Holleman, Chief Financial Officer & Vice President

July 30, 2026
We are pleased to welcome David Holleman to Legacy as our new Chief Financial Officer & Vice President. In this role, David will oversee the company's financial operations and serve as a member of Legacy's executive leadership team.

Legacy Welcomes Shafer Mortuary Services & Furrever Pet Crematory

July 22, 2026
Legacy Funeral Group is proud to announce the addition of Shafer Mortuary Services and Furrever Pet Crematory in Amarillo, Texas, to the Legacy Family. Founded by Eric and Candice Shafer, Shafer Mortuary Services has built a reputation for providing compassionate, affordable funeral and cremation services while remaining deeply committed to the families and community they serve. This acquisition is especially significant as it marks Legacy’s first mortuary service and pet crematory. Shafer Mortuary Services supports other funeral homes by providing local transportation, preparation, embalming, cremation, and other essential mortuary services throughout West Texas. Furrever Pet Crematory is an extension of Shafer Mortuary Services that brings care, guidance, and helpful support to families who are experiencing the loss of a beloved pet. We are honored to welcome the Shafer team along with Anthony Shafer to the Legacy Family. Anthony is the son of Eric and Candance Shafer who will remain in the business and further his education in the funeral profession. Their commitment to excellence, integrity, and service aligns perfectly with Legacy's mission of caring for families with compassion, professionalism, and respect. Please join us in welcoming the employees of Shafer Mortuary Services and Furrever Pet Crematory to the Legacy Family.

Career Milestones

July 22, 2026
At Legacy Funeral Group, we know that a career in funeral service is more than a profession, it's a lifelong commitment to serving families with compassion and care. This year, we are proud to recognize three remarkable team members whose decades of dedication have made a lasting impact on the communities they serve and on our Legacy family. Please join us in congratulating Jack Sawyer, Bill Vallie, and Andy High as they celebrate incredible career milestones.