Larry Buchanan
Founder, Funeral Director & Embalmer
Larry is a native of Macon County. He graduated from Franklin High School in 1982 and later earned his degree with academic honors from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in 1992, where he was a member of Phi Sigma Eta. Larry holds a North Carolina Funeral Director and Embalmer license.
He married his wife, Missy, in 1986, and together they have two children, Matthew and James . Larry is a former secretary of the Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow. He is a member of First Assembly of God, where he previously served as a Sunday School teacher and deacon.
Larry Buchanan
Founder, Funeral Director & Embalmer
Larry is a native of Macon County. He graduated from Franklin High School in 1982 and later earned his degree with academic honors from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in 1992, where he was a member of Phi Sigma Eta. Larry holds a North Carolina Funeral Director and Embalmer license.
He married his wife, Missy, in 1986, and together they have two children, Matthew and James . Larry is a former secretary of the Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow. He is a member of First Assembly of God, where he previously served as a Sunday School teacher and deacon.
Melissa "Missy" Buchanan
Founder
Missy is a Macon County native and a 1987 graduate of Franklin High School. She is a licensed insurance agent. Missy married Larry in 1986, and they have two children, Matthew and James. She is a member of First Assembly of God Church.
Melissa "Missy" Buchanan
Founder
Missy is a Macon County native and a 1987 graduate of Franklin High School. She is a licensed insurance agent. Missy married Larry in 1986, and they have two children, Matthew and James. She is a member of First Assembly of God Church.
Jensen Leger
General Manager, Funeral Director & Embalmer
Originally from Lafayette, Louisiana, Jensen Leger brings heartfelt Southern hospitality and deep compassion to his role as General Manager of Macon Funeral Home. After relocating to the Sylva/Webster area in 2015, he became a valued member of the local community, known for his dedication to helping families create meaningful, personalized tributes.
Jensen earned his degree in Funeral Service Education from Fayetteville Technical Community College, graduating with a 3.9 GPA. He began his career at Wells Funeral Home, obtaining his Funeral Service License in 2020. In 2025, he joined Macon Funeral Home as General Manager, where he continues to lead with empathy, professionalism, and respect.
Outside of work, Jensen is an avid runner and hiker who finds peace in the outdoors. He enjoys playing guitar, listening to music, and cooking Cajun dishes that remind him of home. He is the father of three daughters—Zia, Fern, and Ella—and married his wife, Heather, in 2025.
Jensen is devoted to supporting families with warmth and understanding, helping them honor life and legacy with care.
Jensen Leger
General Manager, Funeral Director & Embalmer
Originally from Lafayette, Louisiana, Jensen Leger brings heartfelt Southern hospitality and deep compassion to his role as General Manager of Macon Funeral Home. After relocating to the Sylva/Webster area in 2015, he became a valued member of the local community, known for his dedication to helping families create meaningful, personalized tributes.
Jensen earned his degree in Funeral Service Education from Fayetteville Technical Community College, graduating with a 3.9 GPA. He began his career at Wells Funeral Home, obtaining his Funeral Service License in 2020. In 2025, he joined Macon Funeral Home as General Manager, where he continues to lead with empathy, professionalism, and respect.
Outside of work, Jensen is an avid runner and hiker who finds peace in the outdoors. He enjoys playing guitar, listening to music, and cooking Cajun dishes that remind him of home. He is the father of three daughters—Zia, Fern, and Ella—and married his wife, Heather, in 2025.
Jensen is devoted to supporting families with warmth and understanding, helping them honor life and legacy with care.
Rodney Sanders
Location Manager, Funeral Director, Embalmer & Insurance Agent
Rodney is a native of Macon County and a 1988 graduate of Franklin High School. He earned his accounting degree from Western Carolina University in 1994. Since 2015, Rodney has served as a funeral director and embalmer—a role he values deeply for the opportunity to support families through loss and grief.
Rodney has been married to his wife, Rene, for 22 years. They have three children: Nathan, Katie, and Nicholas.
Rodney Sanders
Location Manager, Funeral Director, Embalmer & Insurance Agent
Rodney is a native of Macon County and a 1988 graduate of Franklin High School. He earned his accounting degree from Western Carolina University in 1994. Since 2015, Rodney has served as a funeral director and embalmer—a role he values deeply for the opportunity to support families through loss and grief.
Rodney has been married to his wife, Rene, for 22 years. They have three children: Nathan, Katie, and Nicholas.
Rev. Steve Reeves
Funeral Assistant & Aftercare Coordinator
Steve is a lifelong resident of Macon County. He graduated from Franklin High School in 1966 and holds two associate degrees from Southwestern Community College, as well as a State Electrical Contractor’s License.
A Vietnam War veteran, Steve served from 1968 to 1969. He has been in ministry for more than 30 years, serving as pastor at Prentiss Baptist Church (1976–1979), Sugarfork Baptist Church (1980–1987), and Iotla Baptist Church (1987–2007).
Steve joined Macon Funeral Home in 2007. He married his wife, Debbie, in 1970. They have two children—Steven of Asheville and Ginny of Franklin—as well as six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Rev. Steve Reeves
Funeral Assistant & Aftercare Coordinator
Steve is a lifelong resident of Macon County. He graduated from Franklin High School in 1966 and holds two associate degrees from Southwestern Community College, as well as a State Electrical Contractor’s License.
A Vietnam War veteran, Steve served from 1968 to 1969. He has been in ministry for more than 30 years, serving as pastor at Prentiss Baptist Church (1976–1979), Sugarfork Baptist Church (1980–1987), and Iotla Baptist Church (1987–2007).
Steve joined Macon Funeral Home in 2007. He married his wife, Debbie, in 1970. They have two children—Steven of Asheville and Ginny of Franklin—as well as six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Darlene Dills
Office Administrator
Darlene was born and raised in Macon County. She and her husband, Bobby, have one daughter, Courtney, who is a registered nurse. Darlene worked in the banking industry for 34 years and enjoys helping others. She plays piano, volunteers with community youth sports, and is a member of Pine Grove Baptist Church.
Darlene Dills
Office Administrator
Darlene was born and raised in Macon County. She and her husband, Bobby, have one daughter, Courtney, who is a registered nurse. Darlene worked in the banking industry for 34 years and enjoys helping others. She plays piano, volunteers with community youth sports, and is a member of Pine Grove Baptist Church.
Tim Brackett
Funeral Assistant & Office Administrator
Tim is a native of Henderson County and has lived in Macon County since 1995. He previously served as manager of the Franklin Kmart. Tim is active with Special Olympics, serves on the Macon County Baptist Association Personnel Committee, and is a member and deacon of Cartoogechaye Baptist Church.
Tim and his wife, Janice, have been married for 34 years, and they have two sons, Kyle and Tyler.
Tim Brackett
Funeral Assistant & Office Administrator
Tim is a native of Henderson County and has lived in Macon County since 1995. He previously served as manager of the Franklin Kmart. Tim is active with Special Olympics, serves on the Macon County Baptist Association Personnel Committee, and is a member and deacon of Cartoogechaye Baptist Church.
Tim and his wife, Janice, have been married for 34 years, and they have two sons, Kyle and Tyler.
James Guffie
Funeral Assistant
James is a Macon County native and a 1978 graduate of Franklin High School. He has been part of the Macon Funeral Home staff since January 2006 and is a member of Prentiss Church of God.
He has one daughter, Michaela, and a granddaughter, Aspen Belle.
James Guffie
Funeral Assistant
James is a Macon County native and a 1978 graduate of Franklin High School. He has been part of the Macon Funeral Home staff since January 2006 and is a member of Prentiss Church of God.
He has one daughter, Michaela, and a granddaughter, Aspen Belle.
Mike Arnold
Funeral Assistant
Mike is a Macon County native and a graduate of Monongahela High School in Pennsylvania, where his family moved in 1967. He returned to Franklin in 1972. Mike worked for UPS for 35 years, retiring in 2009, and later served as manager of Meineke Car Care Center for four years before joining Macon Funeral Home in 2014.
Mike and his wife, Nita, have been married for 40 years and have four children and five grandchildren. He is a deacon and member of Cowee Baptist Church.
Mike Arnold
Funeral Assistant
Mike is a Macon County native and a graduate of Monongahela High School in Pennsylvania, where his family moved in 1967. He returned to Franklin in 1972. Mike worked for UPS for 35 years, retiring in 2009, and later served as manager of Meineke Car Care Center for four years before joining Macon Funeral Home in 2014.
Mike and his wife, Nita, have been married for 40 years and have four children and five grandchildren. He is a deacon and member of Cowee Baptist Church.
Bobby Parrish
Funeral Assistant
Bobby is a Macon County native and a 2012 graduate of Franklin High School. He serves as the Field Operations Supervisor at BalsamWest FiberNet and joined the staff at Macon Funeral Home in 2015. He is a member of Franklin Church of God.
Bobby married his wife, Kaya, in 2014. They have two children: Caroline Grace and Charlotte Ruth.
Bobby Parrish
Funeral Assistant
Bobby is a Macon County native and a 2012 graduate of Franklin High School. He serves as the Field Operations Supervisor at BalsamWest FiberNet and joined the staff at Macon Funeral Home in 2015. He is a member of Franklin Church of God.
Bobby married his wife, Kaya, in 2014. They have two children: Caroline Grace and Charlotte Ruth.
Mike Tallent
Funeral Assistant
Mike is a native of Macon County and a 1975 graduate of Franklin High School. He has been part of the Macon Funeral Home staff since February 2006. Mike is a retired paramedic with Macon County EMS, where he served from its founding in 1979.
He is married to Sallie, and they have two daughters, three grandsons, and one granddaughter.
Mike Tallent
Funeral Assistant
Mike is a native of Macon County and a 1975 graduate of Franklin High School. He has been part of the Macon Funeral Home staff since February 2006. Mike is a retired paramedic with Macon County EMS, where he served from its founding in 1979.
He is married to Sallie, and they have two daughters, three grandsons, and one granddaughter.
Katie Bridges
Funeral Assistant
Katie is a Macon County native and a 2006 graduate of Franklin High School. She is a licensed cosmetologist with 12 years of experience. Katie is married to Jason Bridges and is the mother of two daughters, Bella and Fionna.
Katie Bridges
Funeral Assistant
Katie is a Macon County native and a 2006 graduate of Franklin High School. She is a licensed cosmetologist with 12 years of experience. Katie is married to Jason Bridges and is the mother of two daughters, Bella and Fionna.
Stuart Beach
Funeral Assistant
Stuart is a Macon County native with a long history of community involvement. He is the son of the late Ben and Nancy Scott Beach. Having experienced the loss of both parents, Stuart is committed to supporting others during difficult times.
He is a graduate of Franklin High School and Southwestern Community College and also attended Western Carolina University. Stuart works full-time for Macon County 911 and serves as a Captain, EMT, and instructor with the Clarks Chapel Fire Department. He also works part-time as a firefighter for NASCAR. In his free time, he enjoys dirt track racing, NASCAR, and community activities. He is a member of Watauga Baptist Church.
Stuart Beach
Funeral Assistant
Stuart is a Macon County native with a long history of community involvement. He is the son of the late Ben and Nancy Scott Beach. Having experienced the loss of both parents, Stuart is committed to supporting others during difficult times.
He is a graduate of Franklin High School and Southwestern Community College and also attended Western Carolina University. Stuart works full-time for Macon County 911 and serves as a Captain, EMT, and instructor with the Clarks Chapel Fire Department. He also works part-time as a firefighter for NASCAR. In his free time, he enjoys dirt track racing, NASCAR, and community activities. He is a member of Watauga Baptist Church.
Kenny Chastain
Funeral Assistant
Kenny is the son of LeRoy and Caroline Dowdle Chastain. He graduated from Rabun County High School in 2004. He and his fiancée, Kim Smith, have three children: Kaitlyn, Koda, and Kaylee. Kenny is a member of Coweeta Baptist Church and serves with Otto Fire and Rescue.
He joined Macon Funeral Home to support families during times of loss and to be of service to his community.
Kenny Chastain
Funeral Assistant
Kenny is the son of LeRoy and Caroline Dowdle Chastain. He graduated from Rabun County High School in 2004. He and his fiancée, Kim Smith, have three children: Kaitlyn, Koda, and Kaylee. Kenny is a member of Coweeta Baptist Church and serves with Otto Fire and Rescue.
He joined Macon Funeral Home to support families during times of loss and to be of service to his community.
