Horace Ford
Owner/Funeral Director
Horace Ford lives in Jonesboro and opened Ford-Stewart in August of 1997 to serve the community with dignified and affordable funeral services. Horace has been in the funeral industry since 1963. He received his funeral director's license in 1968. He has sold monuments in the south metro area for the past 25+ years. He was on the Zoning Appeals Board for Coweta County for 15 years. Horace is a member of the Rotary Club of Clayton County and the Clayton County Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of the International Order of the Golden Rule and the National Funeral Director's Association. Horace is also a member of the Independent Funeral Director's Association of Georgia, of which he was past president in 2001 - 2002.
Horace Ford
Owner/Funeral Director
Horace Ford lives in Jonesboro and opened Ford-Stewart in August of 1997 to serve the community with dignified and affordable funeral services. Horace has been in the funeral industry since 1963. He received his funeral director's license in 1968. He has sold monuments in the south metro area for the past 25+ years. He was on the Zoning Appeals Board for Coweta County for 15 years. Horace is a member of the Rotary Club of Clayton County and the Clayton County Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of the International Order of the Golden Rule and the National Funeral Director's Association. Horace is also a member of the Independent Funeral Director's Association of Georgia, of which he was past president in 2001 - 2002.
Darren Ford
Funeral Director/Embalmer
Darren W. Ford has been with Ford-Stewart since its opening in August of 1997. Darren is the son of Horace and Linda Ford. He lives in McDonough and graduated in 2001 from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service. He is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association and the Academy of Graduate Embalmers of Georgia. Darren also has a license to sell life insurance for prepaid funeral plans.
Darren Ford
Funeral Director/Embalmer
Darren W. Ford has been with Ford-Stewart since its opening in August of 1997. Darren is the son of Horace and Linda Ford. He lives in McDonough and graduated in 2001 from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service. He is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association and the Academy of Graduate Embalmers of Georgia. Darren also has a license to sell life insurance for prepaid funeral plans.
Michelle Gilliam
Funeral Director
Michelle is a proud South Carolina native and a 2018 Valedictorian of Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service. She is also the former Master Artist of the Theta Chapter of Pi Sigma Eta National Morticians Fraternity.
Before joining Ford Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Michelle built a diverse career that included a senior management role with a large funeral organization as well as spending 21 years in Corporate America. Her experience, dedication, and compassionate nature enable her to guide families with care, respect, dignity and professionalism through some of life's most difficult moments.
Michelle considers it a true calling to support families during their time of need. She is committed to honoring every life with dignity while providing personalized care and comfort to those she serves.
When she's not serving families, Michelle enjoys spending time with her family creating lasting memories with loved ones of every generation. Her personal motto reflects the heart of her service: "It is a privilege and honor to serve.”
Michelle Gilliam
Funeral Director
Michelle is a proud South Carolina native and a 2018 Valedictorian of Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service. She is also the former Master Artist of the Theta Chapter of Pi Sigma Eta National Morticians Fraternity.
Before joining Ford Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Michelle built a diverse career that included a senior management role with a large funeral organization as well as spending 21 years in Corporate America. Her experience, dedication, and compassionate nature enable her to guide families with care, respect, dignity and professionalism through some of life's most difficult moments.
Michelle considers it a true calling to support families during their time of need. She is committed to honoring every life with dignity while providing personalized care and comfort to those she serves.
When she's not serving families, Michelle enjoys spending time with her family creating lasting memories with loved ones of every generation. Her personal motto reflects the heart of her service: "It is a privilege and honor to serve.”
Michelle Arivette
Operations Manager , Sr. Funeral Director, Embalmer & CCO
Michelle is a funeral director and embalmer supervisor. She is a California native who now lives in Watkinsville, Georgia, with her partner, Tony. She graduated from Cypress College of Mortuary Science and has been a licensed funeral director and embalmer in California since 1986 and in Georgia since 2001. Michelle is also a Certified Crematory Operator and a member of the Georgia Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association.
Michelle joined our staff in January 2007. Her 30-plus years of experience includes several years as a forensic embalmer and autopsy technician for the Riverside County Coroner's office in California. She has two grown children and enjoys reading, crafts, traveling, and spoiling her two Maine Coon cats, ThunderStorm and BellaDonna.
Michelle Arivette
Operations Manager , Sr. Funeral Director, Embalmer & CCO
Michelle is a funeral director and embalmer supervisor. She is a California native who now lives in Watkinsville, Georgia, with her partner, Tony. She graduated from Cypress College of Mortuary Science and has been a licensed funeral director and embalmer in California since 1986 and in Georgia since 2001. Michelle is also a Certified Crematory Operator and a member of the Georgia Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association.
Michelle joined our staff in January 2007. Her 30-plus years of experience includes several years as a forensic embalmer and autopsy technician for the Riverside County Coroner's office in California. She has two grown children and enjoys reading, crafts, traveling, and spoiling her two Maine Coon cats, ThunderStorm and BellaDonna.
Steve Pridgen
Funeral Director/Embalmer
Steve was born and raised in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. At the age of 14, he began what would be a life-long career in Funeral Service when he started spending weekends at Gay-Yost Funeral Home observing and learning as much as possible about the profession. Upon graduating from Southern Nash High School in 1977 he began serving his Apprenticeship with Branch Funeral Home in Enfield, NC. In September 1978 he moved to Georgia to attend Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science in Hapeville, GA. While attending Gupton-Jones he began working at Pope Dickson & Son Funeral Home in November 1978 and remained there until May 2001, serving as Jonesboro location Manager from 1985 until he left. In July 2001 he joined the team at Ford-Stewart Funeral Home and remained there until “semi retiring” in 2023. Steve now lives in Ocean Springs, MS but returns every month to serve families and continue his career. He is a member of the NFDA and the Academy of Graduate Embalmers of Georgia.
Steve Pridgen
Funeral Director/Embalmer
Steve was born and raised in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. At the age of 14, he began what would be a life-long career in Funeral Service when he started spending weekends at Gay-Yost Funeral Home observing and learning as much as possible about the profession. Upon graduating from Southern Nash High School in 1977 he began serving his Apprenticeship with Branch Funeral Home in Enfield, NC. In September 1978 he moved to Georgia to attend Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science in Hapeville, GA. While attending Gupton-Jones he began working at Pope Dickson & Son Funeral Home in November 1978 and remained there until May 2001, serving as Jonesboro location Manager from 1985 until he left. In July 2001 he joined the team at Ford-Stewart Funeral Home and remained there until “semi retiring” in 2023. Steve now lives in Ocean Springs, MS but returns every month to serve families and continue his career. He is a member of the NFDA and the Academy of Graduate Embalmers of Georgia.
Nick Tolbert
Funeral Director/Embalmer
Nick Tolbert
Funeral Director/Embalmer
Jennifer Ford
Administrative Assistant
Jennifer is from Sharpsburg, Georgia. She graduated from East Coweta High School in 1995. In 1997 she decided to pursue a career in the Funeral Industry alongside her family. After growing up in it all of her life. She loves helping and serving families in their time of need. Jennifer loves spending time at the beach and spending time with her family, and her daughter Kaytlyn and granddog Oatie as well.
Jennifer Ford
Administrative Assistant
Jennifer is from Sharpsburg, Georgia. She graduated from East Coweta High School in 1995. In 1997 she decided to pursue a career in the Funeral Industry alongside her family. After growing up in it all of her life. She loves helping and serving families in their time of need. Jennifer loves spending time at the beach and spending time with her family, and her daughter Kaytlyn and granddog Oatie as well.
Mike Roby
Assistant
Mike is married to his high school sweetheart Terrie. They have been married for 54 years. Mike retired from the U.S. Army at the rank of Sergeant Major (SGM). He also retired from the Georgia Department of Veterans Service as Commissioner. He joined Ford-Stewart Funeral Home in October 2021. He serves as an assistant and works part time.
Mike Roby
Assistant
Mike is married to his high school sweetheart Terrie. They have been married for 54 years. Mike retired from the U.S. Army at the rank of Sergeant Major (SGM). He also retired from the Georgia Department of Veterans Service as Commissioner. He joined Ford-Stewart Funeral Home in October 2021. He serves as an assistant and works part time.
Rodney Lynch
Rodney Lynch
Linda Ford
In Memoriam
Linda, the wife of Horace, served as the office manager, keeping paperwork organized and assisting families with insurance filings and required county and federal documents. She was a warm and caring person who worked closely with families, offering compassionate, one-on-one support. Linda passed away on January 26, 2018, and is fondly remembered for her kindness and dedication.
Linda Ford
In Memoriam
Linda, the wife of Horace, served as the office manager, keeping paperwork organized and assisting families with insurance filings and required county and federal documents. She was a warm and caring person who worked closely with families, offering compassionate, one-on-one support. Linda passed away on January 26, 2018, and is fondly remembered for her kindness and dedication.
