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About Us

History & Staff

We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.

When we sit down with a family, we have just one goal: to create a fitting, memorable and affordable service for their loved one. Together, we explore the wide variety of services and products available, as well as a wealth of creative ideas and suggestions.

Together, we'll design a memorial or funeral service that suits their needs now, and in the future. Families who come to us know that years from now, they will have deep peace-of-mind because in coming to us, they've done their best to honor their loved one.

The year was 1905. W.T. Goldfinch, owner of Kingston Furniture Company on Main Street in Conway, SC, set aside a space in the rear of his new store to display “coffins,” as they were called in those days. This describes the simple beginning of a Company, Goldfinch Funeral Home, which was destined to become a very successful funeral home serving many families in Horry County and the Grand Strand area of South Carolina. Today, Goldfinch Funeral Home is widely recognized as a progressive leader in funeral service in the South East. In 1919, Mr. W. T. Goldfinch died, leaving the business to his two sons, Albert and William Goldfinch. Albert died just ten years after his father, but William, known as “Mr. Will,” continued the family business.

Mr. Will was a Methodist Lay reader who could “preach as well as anybody,” said grandson and current owner of Goldfinch Funeral Home, George H. Goldfinch, Jr. Mr. Will was the first in the family business to study embalming, and in fact, was the first embalmer in Horry County. The practice of preservation was so new in that day, and advent of embalming represented the beginning of public visitations and viewing.

In 1938, Mr. Will moved the funeral service business to his residence on Beaty Street in Conway, thus opening the first funeral home in Horry County, South Carolina. He raised his four children above the funeral home which had been expanded over time around the original home. Today the facility is a state of the art 18,000 square foot structure which bears little resemblance to the original bungalow style home. Mr. Will’s two sons, G. Heyward Goldfinch, Sr., and Mac Goldfinch represent the third generation of the Goldfinch family to work in the family business. Both brothers were known for their personal warmth, professional competence and community involvement. They were quite an exceptional team providing compassionate, dependable care to the region for more than 40 years, and established a legacy for quality service, which is carried on today.

The fourth generations of Goldfinches include Heyward’s son, George, the current owner of Goldfinch Funeral Home, and Mac’s oldest son Will. They entered the family business as children, cutting grass, working at Hillcrest Cemetery, and working with their fathers as they served families in the area. These two Goldfinch cousins took over the management of Goldfinch Funeral Home and later purchased the business from their fathers in 1995. Two years later, Will Goldfinch died of cancer, an untimely death which brought much sorrow to the Goldfinch Funeral Home family, and to the Conway Community. Now President and CEO George H. Goldfinch, Jr., carries on the tradition of service as established by four generations of the Goldfinch Family. George and his wife Susie have two children, Meghan and George H. “Heyes” Goldfinch, III. George H. Goldfinch, Jr. is currently serving as President of the South Carolina Funeral Directors Association, an office held by his Grandfather, Mr. Will; his father, Heyward; and uncle Mac.

Over the years, Horry County’s oceanfront became known as the Grand Strand, and people from other regions of the country began buying second homes and retirement homes in the area. The family opened Goldfinch’s Beach Chapel on US 17 By-Pass in Garden City in 1987. Several years later, the Goldfinch Litchfield-Pawleys Chapel was established to serve the people of South Horry and Georgetown Counties.

Over the many years that have gone by since 1905, traditions, customs, and how we are able to serve families have and continue to evolve, but one key characteristic of the Goldfinch tradition has remained the same over all these years. That tradition is the firm’s strong commitment to compassionate, quality service. Goldfinch Funeral Home is one of the few businesses in Horry County that has operated successfully and continually for over 105 years under the ownership of four generations of one family.

Our Valued Staff

George H. Goldfinch, President/ CEO

A native of Conway, SC, George is a 1974 graduate of the University of South Carolina and 1975 graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science. He is the President/ Owner of Goldfinch Funeral Home; and is a licensed funeral director and embalmer for the state of South Carolina. George currently resides in Conway with his wife Susie and is the father of two children, Meghan and Heyes. He is a member of the Board of Directors of United Way, Conway Medical Center Board of Trustees, Conway Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis Club of Conway. His hobbies include spending time with his family, hunting, and fishing.

Joyce M. Jones, Executive Vice-President

A native of Horry County, Joyce has been employed with Goldfinch Funeral Home since 1954. She has worked as secretary, bookkeeper, Office Manager, Administrative Assistant to the President, and currently assists part-time in all office functions. Joyce currenly resides in Conway with her husband Jimmy and is the mother to two children, Jennifer Parker and Jim Jones, Jr, and has three grandchildren. She is an active member of Brown Swamp United Methodist Church. Her hobbies include spending time with her family and going to the mountains.

Wendy Shelley Garland, Vice-President, Finance; Accountant

Wendy is a 1992 USC-Coastal graduate with a BS in Accounting and a 1993 Winthrop University graduate with an MBA. She has been at Goldfinch Funeral Home since 2006. Prior to working for Goldfinch's, she worked in accounting. Wendy currently resides in Galivants Ferry with her husband Jeffrey and her two children, Alex and Brooke. She is a member of Juniper Bay Baptist Church and the Aynor Lions Club.

Meghan Goldfinch Hayden, Director of Public Relations, Marketing, and Family Care

A native of Conway, SC, Meghan is a 2006 graduate of Coastal Carolina University with a BA in Communication, a 2008 graduate of the University of South Carolina with a Master's of Mass Communication, and a 2010 graduate of Boston University with an MS in Health Communication. She has been with Goldfinch Funeral Home since 2010. Prior to working with Goldfinch's, Meghan worked for the State of South Carolina as a Public Information Coordinator. Meghan currently resides in Conway with her Husband Seth. She has four step-children, Gabriel, Hannah, Bella, and Brooks. Meghan is a member of the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC) and First United Methodist Church, Conway. Her hobbies include fishing, reading, horseback riding, and spending time with family.

Bobby E. Richardson II, Assistant Vice President; Location Manager- Conway Chapel

A Conway, SC native, Eddie attended USC Coastal Carolina College. He is a licensed funeral director in the state of South Carolina, a South Carolina Insurance license, and has been with Goldfinch Funeral Home since 1981. Eddie currently resides in Conway and has one son, Collin. He is a member of the Conway Rotary Club, where he is a Paul Harris Fellow, a member of the SCFDA and NFDA. His hobbies include spending time with his son, traveling, camping, and watching college sports.

Edward H. Briggs, Assistant Vice President; Location Manager- Beach Chapel

A Western North Carolina native, Edward is a 1974 graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science. He is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in the state of South Carolina and has working with Goldfinch Funeral Home since 1977. Edward currently resides in Murrells Inlet with his wife Patricia and is the father of two children, Mandy and Joshua. He is a member and former Deacon and Chairman of the Children's Department of First Baptist Church in and was appointed to the South Carolina State Board of Funeral Service from 2002-2007 by then Governor Mark Sanford, rotating off as President. His hobbies include gardening and traveling.

Casey V. Ward, Assistant Vice President; Location Manager- Loris Chapel

A native of Loris, SC, Casey is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a BA in Political Science and graduate of Fayetteville Technical with an Associate's Degree in Mortuary Science. He is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in the state of South Carolina. He currently resides in Loris with his wife Jada and their son Vance Ward. He is a member of Loris First Baptist Church and Gideons International.

Don V. Odom, Advanced Funeral Planning Director

A Hartsville, SC native, Don attended USC- Sumter and is a 1994 graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science. He is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in the state of South Carolina, holds a South Carolina Insurance license, and has been with Goldfinch Funeral Home since 2004. In 2007, Don was named Advanced Planning Funeral Professional of the Year for Homesteaders Life Co. In addition to his work in funeral service, he has 14 years of experience in the Insurance industry. Don currently resides in Conway with his wife Sharon and their daughter Bethany. He is a member of the Conway Lions Club and attends the Conway Church of God.

Tom Spencer, Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer- Conway Chapel

A native of Lancaster, SC, Tom is a 1987 graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science. He is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in the state of South Carolina and has been employed with Goldfinch Funeral Home since 1995. Tom currently resides in Conway with his wife Edwinna and their two children, Michael and Anna. He is a member of the First Baptist Church in Conway, SC. His hobbies include spending time with his family.

J. Dirk Spivey, Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer- Conway Chapel

A native of Tabor City, NC, Dirk is a 1997 graduate of Fayetteville Technical with an Associate's Degree in Mortuary Science. He is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in the states of North Carolina and South Carolina and has been with Goldfinch Funeral Home since 2001. Dirk currently resides in the Bayboro Community of Horry County and has two sons, Cody and Owen Luke. He is a member of the Tennessee Walking Horse and serves as a Commissioner for the United Racking Horse Breeders Association.

David Byers, Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer- Conway Chapel

A native of Parkersburg, WV, David is a graduate of WV University- Parkersburg and the Pittsburg Institute of Mortuary Science. He is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in the states of West Virginia and South Carolina; and has been with Goldfinch Funeral Home since 2011. David currently resides in Murrells Inlet with his wife Mary Beth, and is the father of two daughters, Katy Pettiss of Parkersburg and Rebecca Byers-Stockwell of Long Island, NY. He also has two grandchildren. David is a member of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Parkersburg, WV, attends St. Michael's Catholic Church in Murrells Inlet, and is a member of the Knights of Columbus in Parkersburg, WV. He enjoys the beach, bowling, gardening, spending time with family, and is an advocate for animal welfare.

Ben Floyd, Apprentice Funeral Director and Embalmer- Conway Chapel

A Lake City, SC, native, Ben is a 2010 graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science. He is currently serving his apprenticeship for licensure in South Carolina as a funeral director and embalmer and has been with Goldfinch Funeral Home since 2010. Prior to funeral service, Ben worked in electrical construction and equipment operation. He currently resides in Lake city and is the father of Ava Grace. His hobbies include hunting, fishing, boating, and jet skiing.

Patty Martin, Administrative Assistant- Conway Chapel

A native of Conway, Patty has been with Goldfinch Funeral Home since 2001. She currently resides in Conway with her husband Chris and their two daughters Krista and Amber. Patty is a member of Horry Baptist Church where she serves as the music director. Her hobbies include spending time with family and friends, cooking, fishing, and sports.

Beverly Ambridge, Receptionist- Conway Chapel

A Gloversville, NY native, Beverly has been with Goldfinch Funeral Home since 2006. Prior to working at Goldfinch's, she was a nursing home Comptroller, owned a construction company for 16 years, and a restaurant for 10 years. Beverly currently resides in Loris, SC with her husband Tom and has one daughter, Melissa. She is a Member of Brown Swamp United Methodist Church and choir, United Methodist Women, and she is a Sunday School teacher. Her hobbies include spending time with family and friends, cooking, hiking, enjoying nature, reading, writing, and riding motorcycles.

Eric Matthew Lemons, Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer- Beach Chapel

An Eden, NC native, Eric is a graduate of Fayetteville Technical College with an Associate's degree in Mortuary Science. He is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in the states of South Carolina and North Carolina and has been with Goldfinch Funeral Home since 2000. Eric currently resides in Myrtle Beach with his wife Crystal and his two daughters, Alexis Morgan and Ella Grace. He is a member of Grand Strand Soccer Club, Coast FA Soccer Club, South Carolina Amateur Soccer Association, South Carolina Youth Soccer Association, NFDA, SCFDA and NCFDA. His hobbies include watching, Coaching, Refereeing, and playing soccer, as well as running and traveling.

Josh Campbell, Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer- Beach Chapel

A Martinsville, VA native, Josh Campbell is a 1993 graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science. He is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in the state of South Carolina and has been with Goldfinch Funeral Home since 1995. Josh currently resides in Myrtle Beach with his wife Neva and their two children, Zoe and Bella. He is a member of the Forestbrook Elementary PTA, SCFDA, and NFDA. His hobbies include boating, fishing, motorcycling, and going to the beach with his family, and he always looks forward to a fine cup of coffee.

Brian Edgerton, Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer- Beach Chapel

A Lansing, MI native, Brian is a 1980 graduate of Lansing Community College and a 2001 graduate of Wayne State University with a BS in Mortuary Science. He is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in the state of South Carolina and has been with Goldfinch Funeral Home since 2005. Brian currently resides in Pawleys Island with his wife Debbie and is the father of five children, Mark, Jeff, Kristopher, Brian and Alyssa. He enjoys all things music related.

Tony Papel, Licensed Funeral Director/ Embalmer- Beach Chapel

A native of Eastman, GA., Tony is a 1995 graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science. He is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in the states of South Carolina and Georgia and has been employed with Goldfinch Funeral Home since 2011. Tony currently resides in Surside Beach, SC with his wife Charlene and two sons, Mason Wirght Papel and Andrew Cook Papel. He is a member of the Roswell Masonic Lodge #165, Roswell, GA; a founding member of the Roswell Royal Arch Chapter #74, Roswell, GA; a member of the Cryptic Masons Atlanta Council #13, Atlanta, GA; and a member of the Masonic Knight Templar Atlanta Commandry #9, Atlanta, GA. His hobbies include filipino cooking, playing golf and tennis, reading, travel, and spending time with family and freinds.

Stephen Roy Kapanka, Apprentice Funeral Director- Beach Chapel

A native of St. Clair, Michigan, Steve attended Kutztown State College in Kutztown, PA and received undergraduate credits from Northwestern University. He is currently serving his apprenticeship for licensure in South Carolina as a funeral director and has been with Goldfinch Funeral Home since 2010. Prior to funeral service, Steve worked for twenty-five years as a member of the Pennsylvania State Police, retiring as a Station Commander. He currently resides in Surfside Beach, SC with his wife Diane and is the father of Michael, a Lt. in the US Navy. Steve is a member of the Murrells Inlet Elks Club, as well as a supporter of the USO and the Salvation Army. His hobbies include reading, playing golf, watching sports, and spending time with family.

Cori Carmine Wilson, Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer- Beach Chapel

Cori attended sierra college in Rocklin, CA and is a 2005 graduate of Mid-America College of Funeral Service. She is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in the state of South Carolina and has with Goldfinch Funeral Home since 2006. Cori currently resides in Murrells Inlet with her husband Eric and their two daughters Hayli Paige and Sophia Claire. She is a member of the Surfside Beach Moose lodge and attends Beach Church of Myrtle Beach. Her hobbies include camping and spending time with friends and family.

Zachary E. Nobles, Apprentice Funeral Director and Embalmer- Beach Chapel

A Sumter, SC native, Zachary is a 2007 graduate of Saint Leo University with a BA in Business Administration and a 2010 graduate of Piedmont Technical College with an Associates in Mortuary Science. He is currently serving in his apprenticeship for licensure in South Carolina as a funeral director and embalmer and has been with Goldfinch Funeral Home since 2010. Prior to funeral service, Zachary served as the Athletic Director for the Sumter YMCA. He currently resides in Myrtle Beach with his wife Kim. His hobbies include playing soccer and the guitar.

George H. "Heyes" Goldfinch III, Apprentice Funeral Director- Beach Chapel

A Conway, SC native, Heyes is a 2010 graduate of Coastal Carolina University with a BA in Communication and a minor in Business. He is currently serving in his apprenticeship for licensure in South Carolina as a funeral director and has been with Goldfinch Funeral Home since 2008. He currently resides in Conway. His hobbies include hunting, deep sea fishing, and spending time with family.

Cindy Jolliff, Administrative Assistant- Beach Chapel

A native of Huntington, WV, Cindy has been with Goldfinch Funeral Home since 1987. She currently resides in Myrtle Beach with her husband David and is the mother of two children Dave and Kari, and three grandchildren, Stella Grace, Mackenzie, Shayla, and CJ. Cindy is a member of Solid Rock Church. Her hobbies include being with family and traveling.

Renee Sullivan, Receptionist- Beach Chapel

A native of Atlanta, Ga, Renee has been with Goldfinch Funeral Home since 2008. She currently resides in Conway with her husband, Rev. John Sullivan and has five children, Jay, Sabrina, Sarah, Lauren, and Justin. Renee is a member of Good Hope Baptist Church. Her hobbies include exercising and collecting shells on the beach.

Lois Griffith, Receptionist- Litchfield-Pawleys Chapel

A native of Woodbury, NJ, Lois has been employed with Goldfinch Funeral Home since 2008. She currenty resides in Pawleys Island with her husband Charlie and is the mother of one daughter, Suzanne, and the grandmother of one.

Christopher L. Ward, Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer- Loris Chapel

A native of Loris, SC, Chris is a 1998 graduate from Coastal Carolina University with a BA in Education and a 2000 graduate from Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science. He is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in the states of North and South Carolina and is Accredited by the Academy of Funeral Service Professionals as a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner. Chris is also a former instructor of Mortuary Science at Fayetteville Technical Community College where he taught Restorative Art, Mortuary Law and Funeral Home Management. He resides in Loris, SC with his wife Olivia. He is a member of Mt. Leon Baptist Church in Longs, SC; a member and past Master of Loris Lodge #205 A.F.M., a member and past Patron of Loris Chapter #106 Order of the Eastern Star, and has served as Vice-President and President of the Loris Civitans, and Chairman of the South Carolina Funeral Directors Association Pee Dee Group. His hobbies include spending time with his wife, fishing, and Shag dancing at Ocean Drive, North Myrtle Beach.

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