Meet Our Staff
Outstanding Service is Our Priority
The highest level of care starts with the quality staff members who will meet with your family. When you lose someone you love, you need someone who will listen to you and provide a healing and meaningful experience. Our highly qualified staff is ready to assist you throughout this difficult time.
If you are interested in preplanning for your funeral wishes, we invite you to book a meeting with one of our Preplanning Specialists to learn more about the process and its benefits.
James A. Staton is a licensed funeral director and embalmer and the owner of Decatur Funeral Home & Cremation Services. A native of Cleveland, Tennessee, James spent more than 25 years in McMinn County before relocating to Decatur in 2022. With decades of experience in area funeral homes, he brings professional expertise and compassionate care to the families he serves—care that is deeply rooted in his own journey of losing both parents at a young age.
James holds an associate degree in Mortuary Science from Jefferson State Community College in Birmingham, Alabama, where he also serves on the advisory board. He has been a licensed funeral director and embalmer in Tennessee since 2006.
In addition to his funeral service work, James is an ordained minister with an associate degree in Biblical Studies and over 20 years of pastoral experience in the local community. He is an active member of Walnut Grove Baptist Church and remains devoted to his faith and service.
James is also a dedicated Freemason, having proudly served as Master of Meigs Lodge #213 F.&A.M. in 2024, and currently serves as the lodge chaplain. In recognition of his commitment to service and leadership, James was commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel in 2021, one of the highest honors awarded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
He and his wife, Amber, reside in Meigs County and are the proud parents of two children, Jasper and Audrey. In his free time, James enjoys tinkering with old cars.
Amber is a native of Bradley County and a 1997 graduate of Bradley Central High School. She worked for the City of Cleveland for 21 years and is currently a city clerk for the Town of Decatur.
She is also a member of Walnut Grove Baptist Church. Amber has been married to James Staton for over 25 years, and she enjoys spending time with her family and four-legged babies.
Audrey Staton Hall is a licensed funeral director at Decatur Funeral Home & Cremation Services. She has the unique honor of working alongside her family and following in her father’s footsteps in the funeral service profession. A graduate of John A. Gupton Mortuary College, Audrey earned her Funeral Director Certificate in 2023 and brings both professionalism and heartfelt dedication to every family she serves.
Her passion for funeral service is deeply rooted in a desire to support families with compassion and dignity during their most difficult times—a calling inspired by her own experience of loss.
Outside of her work, Audrey is a devoted wife to her husband, Zach, and an active member of Walnut Grove Baptist Church. She enjoys spending time outdoors and cherishes playing with her beloved dogs.
Jasper Staton serves as a funeral assistant at Decatur Funeral Home & Cremation Services, where he offers compassionate support to families during their time of need. He is the son of James and Amber Staton and a proud 2024 graduate of Cleveland State Community College.
An active member of Walnut Grove Baptist Church, Jasper is deeply committed to his faith and serving his community with integrity and respect.
He is also a dedicated Freemason and an active member of Meigs Lodge #213 F.&A.M.
Danny Carter is a valued funeral assistant at Decatur Funeral Home & Cremation Services. A lifelong resident of Meigs County, he makes his home in the Ten Mile community. Danny is a dedicated member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. He and his wife Patsy have shared the gospel through their singing ministry, The Carters, for over 40 years.
Danny has two children, one granddaughter, and three great-grandchildren. His deep faith, warm presence, and commitment to serving others make him a comforting support to the families he serves.
Gary is a native of Meigs County and is retired from Shaw Industries. Since retiring, Gary has become a school bus driver for Meigs County Schools. He is happily married to Darlene, and they have two children.
Rev. Dusty Caldwell serves as a funeral assistant at Decatur Funeral Home & Cremation Services, offering compassionate support to families with a pastor’s heart and decades of community involvement. A native of Meigs County, Dusty is the Pastor of Union Grove Baptist Church in Decatur and retired from Astec Industries after many years of dedicated service as a welder.
He is happily married to his wife, Lavonne. They are blessed with two children, five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Dusty’s deep-rooted faith and commitment to serving others make him a comforting presence to those in need. In his free time, he enjoys spending meaningful moments with his family and hosting family gatherings.
Wayne was a native of Meigs County and lived in the Cottonport Community. He was active in area funeral homes for several years. Before joining the Decatur Funeral Home & Cremation Services team he retired as a truck driver. Wayne served as a deacon at Bethsadia Baptist Church. He had one daughter, three grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
Wayne went to be with the Lord on March 20, 2024.
Michael Langjahr is a licensed funeral director and embalmer and has been a part of funeral service since 1974. A native of Norwalk, Ohio, he graduated from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 1978.
Mike and his wife, Yvonne, owned Sun City Center Funeral Home in Florida for nearly 20 years before relocating to Athens in 2018. He is licensed in both Florida and Tennessee.
