Staff
Our compassionate, professional staff cares deeply about our community and its people. Anyone who walks through our doors is treated like our own family. And like family, we are available to come to your assistance any hour of the day or night, every day of the year.
Steve is a native of Greenwood and a graduate of Greenwood High School, the University of South Carolina and the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. Steve grew up in the funeral business watching his dad, Wayne Gantt, tirelessly serve his community. Inspired by his compassion and devotion, Steve continues leading the company with the same dedication as his father and those who preceded him.
A member of Greenwood First Baptist Church, Steve is also a member of the Greenwood Rotary Club, past Chairman of the South Carolina Funeral Directors Association, Piedmont Group, and past board member of the South Carolina State Board of Funeral Service.
He is married to Stacey W. Gantt and they have two sons, Brooks and Andrew who are their greatest blessings.
Stacey Wright Gantt, a native of Chester SC, is a graduate of Richard Winn Academy and Columbia College, where she earned a bachelor’s of arts degree. She was employed with Lander University for eighteen years before stepping into her favorite role as wife and mother. She is married to Steve Gantt and is the proud mother of sons Brooks Elliott and Andrew Stephen Gantt.
Stacey is active in the Greenwood Arts community where she serves on the board of Greenwood Performing Arts. In addition, she is a member of Greenwood Kiwanis, Greenwood First Baptist Church and Greenwood Women Care. She is also a devoted and supportive member of the Columbia College Alumnae Association. When she is not enjoying time with her husband and sons, she loves to read, exercise and spend time with friends.
A native of Greenwood, Judy is the daughter of the late John Harold and Bernice Higginbotham West. She is a graduate of Greenwood High School and was formerly employed with Lander University where she served as Book Store Manager. She and her husband Wayne have two sons Larry and Steve.
Judy is affectionately known as Ju-Ju to her three grandchildren Gracen, Brooks and Andrew, with whom she enjoys spending most of her time.
Judy is an active member of Greenwood First Baptist church where she serves in numerous capacities and on several various committees.
Brianna, known to many as “Bri”, is a 2007 graduate of Greenwood High School and a 2012 graduate of Lander University, where she received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychology. She was employed by Lander University Physical Plant until she began her career at Blyth Funeral Home in 2016 as a Funeral Service Associate. In 2021, she began her new role as Business Office Manager.
Bri is married to Marcus Manley who is a CAD Design Specialist at Velux Design and Development. They live in Hodges and are the proud parents of their new son Mason. Completing their family is their miniature Goldendoodle named Marlee. When she has spare time, she enjoys traveling to the beaches of South Carolina, and the Northern Georgia and Western North Carolina Mountains.
Allison is the daughter of Al and Kimberly Finley and a native of Greenwood County. She is a 2017 graduate of Greenwood High School and a 2022 graduate of Piedmont Technical College with an Associate Degree in Business Administration. In her spare time Allison enjoys photography and listening to music.
A native of Greenwood, Earl is married to Lisa Stackhouse Carroll. They have a daughter, Lauren Ashley Carroll.
A graduate of Greenwood High School and Piedmont Technical College, he also attended the University of South Carolina at Columbia and Lander University. He has served on the staff of Blyth Funeral Home since 1990, and is a licensed funeral director and embalmer.
An active member of South Main Street Baptist Church and the Chancel Choir of the church, Earl is also a communicant of the Church of the Resurrection, Episcopal in Greenwood and is a member and past-president of the Greenwood Lions Club. He is also a member of Ninety Six’s Eureka Masonic Lodge #47, and Greenwood Masonic Lodge #91, both A.F.M., and is a member of the Hejaz Shrine Temple. He is also a member of the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce and is active in community affairs and works for the betterment of Greenwood and all the Lakelands area.
Earl is also an avid golfer and amateur artist. He enjoys portrait and landscape painting and is continuously searching for ways to express the beauty of our country and people through art, and through offering his knowledge and expertise in the funeral service industry.
Nathan is a native of Laurens County and has over 20 years’ experience in funeral service. He joined the Blyth Funeral Home staff in 2018 as a licensed Funeral Director. Nathan is a graduate of Ware Shoals High School and Piedmont Technical College where he earned an Applied Science Degree in Funeral Service. He is married to Amanda Davis Hamby who is Senior HR Business Partner at E.A. Sween. They have two children, Cole and Cara, and reside in Ware Shoals. Nathan is a member of Chestnut Ridge Baptist Church in Laurens and Centre Lodge #37 A.F.M. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family and working on his property.
One of the best parts of my job at Blyth is that I have the privilege of meeting a lot of great people in the community; I just happen to do it during one of the most difficult times in their lives. I'm humbled to have the opportunity to offer encouragement and guidance during their time of need; all while working alongside some of the most dedicated and compassionate professionals in the industry.
Tim is a native of Greenwood and a graduate of Greenwood High School, Emmanuel College, and Lander University. His working career has been spent with local industries: Greenwood Mills, Neptune Measurement and VELUX Greenwood Inc., from where he retired in 2016 as Strategic Procurement Manager. He is married to Leah K. Haynes, a native of Bassett VA. Leah is retired from Greenwood School Dist. 50 after 30 plus years teaching. They have two children; Stephen, who along with wife Brooke and children Amelia, Gideon and Titus reside in Chesapeake VA, and Anna who along with husband Austin Peay and daughter Katie reside in Ninety Six SC.
A member of South Greenwood Pentecostal Holiness Church, Tim serves as church organist and worship leader. He also serves as teacher for Kingdom Builders Sunday School class and church elder.
For many years, Tim has enjoyed singing with his brothers Barry, John and Joe in churches throughout the Lakelands area.
Being from Greenwood, one of the most fulfilling aspects of my work at Blyth is being able to assist the families that I have known through the years or that I have met since beginning work at Blyth during these difficult moments in their lives. To take an active part in the service of a loved one is an honor that is never taken lightly.
Rudy is a native of New Mexico, but has lived in the Greenville community most of his life. Rudy majored in Music Education at New Mexico State University and is graduate of the Funeral Services Program at Piedmont Technical College.
Formerly employed as an account executive with Vertis Communications, he worked in the funeral/cemetery business in Greenville before joining the staff of Oakbrook Memorial Park as a full time Family Service Advisor. After several years at Oakbrook, Rudy transitioned to Blyth Funeral Home in 2019, where he serves as a cremationist and funeral service assistant.
A member of Christ Church Episcopal in Greenville, he is a supply pianist for several churches in the Greenville area and is a Member of the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce.
A musician by hobby and vocation, he is also a cyclist and landscape enthusiast.
Preston is a native of Hampton County, SC and has worked in funeral service since he was 15 years old. He is pursuing his degree in Funeral Services at Piedmont Technical College and is honored to be serving his Funeral Service Apprenticeship at Blyth Funeral Home.
Preston is an outgoing person who enjoys public service and helping out in any way he can. He attends South Main Street Baptist Church where he sings in the choir and is a member of the Emerald Rotary Club. He also serves part time under Coroner Sonny Cox as Deputy Coroner for Greenwood County.
Preston is honored to be a part of the Blyth family, and is thankful for the opportunities given to assist and get to know the families served by Blyth Funeral Home and the greater Greenwood community.
In December of 1960, Tom began his funeral service career in his hometown of Branchville, SC with Ott Funeral Home and is a 1965 graduate from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. In 1971, Tom moved to Greenwood where he became an active member of the Blyth Funeral Home Staff and the community for over 17 years.
In 1988, Tom had the opportunity to purchase Culler Funeral Home in North, SC, which later became Culler-McAlhany Funeral Home. After his brief retirement in 2013, Tom returned to Greenwood and rejoined the Blyth Staff. He and wife Libby have a daughter, Beth, and son-in-law, Brian, and a granddaughter, Cecilia who all reside in Charlotte, NC. He and Libby are members of Harris Baptist Church in Greenwood. Tom has always appreciated the commitment Blyth extends to the families they serve, and looks forward to continuing working with the families of the Greenwood community that he has known for so many years.
Gerald Rauton is a native of Greenwood and a graduate of Greenwood High School. He earned an Associate's Degree in Business Management from Palmer College in Columbia and is a US Air Force Veteran having served from 1965-1968 during the Vietnam Conflict. A Licensed Funeral Director, Gerald worked with Blyth Funeral Home from 1968-1980 and later retired from Carolina Pride Foods after thirty years of service in the Shipping and Traffic Departments in supervision. He came back to Blyth after retiring and is honored to assist families at a most difficult time in their lives.
Gerald and his wife, Clydie, are members of First Presbyterian Church where he has served as Deacon and Usher. Gerald is a former member of the Greenwood Lion's Club where he was Past President (1982) and was Lion of the Year (1982).
Gerald and Clydie have one daughter, Michelle Rauton, who is a Child Development Teacher at Greenwood Early Childhood Center for Greenwood School District #50.
Gerald is always busy helping many friends with lawn care and tending to his garden. In his spare time, he enjoys boating and relaxing at Lake Greenwood.
David grew up in Greenwood and was a 1961 graduate of Greenwood High School. He is a US Army Veteran having served from 1960-1968. David worked for forty-three years with Winn-Dixie Food Stores, traveling the Southeast setting up and managing many stores. He served in numerous capacities with Winn-Dixie, retiring as a District Manager. After retiring David was District Manager with Dollar General Stores for three years and Dollar Tree for two years. When he finally stopped traveling, David came to work with Blyth Funeral Home in 2008 where he serves every family with great compassion.
David and his wife of fifty years, Brenda are members of Tranquil United Methodist Church. He and Brenda have one daughter, Lori Katonak, who owns and operates a pet grooming business in Orlando, FL.
In his spare time, David enjoys reading, spending time with his wife Brenda, working in their yard, and traveling. David enjoys working with and serving people. He enjoys meeting the families served by Blyth, and considers his work at Blyth a ministry.
Alvin has spent the largest part of his life ministering to the needs of others. Pastoring for more than forty years, he retired from Rice Memorial Baptist Church after serving the congregation for thirty one of his forty years in ministry. Alvin is a graduate of Anderson University (Associates), Lander University (Bachelors) and Andersonville Theological Seminary ( Doctorate). He and his wife Debra have one son, Al, who also lives in Greenwood. Alvin's hobbies include golf and deer hunting. He and Debra also lead trips to the Holy Land each year. Alvin enjoys his work at Blyth because it continues to provide him with ministry opportunities to the families of the Greenwood community.
Mary Ann is a native and current resident of Ninety Six. In 1989 she opened Mary Ann Smith Insurance Agency, Inc. – Nationwide Insurance, serving Greenwood and surrounding counties. She retired in December 2012 after 32 years in the business.
She is a member of Siloam Baptist Church where she serves on the Personnel Committee. Mary Ann is an active member and board member of the Ninety Six Lions Club and she serves as a volunteer for the Greenwood Arts Council at the Arts Center. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Palmetto Bank.
Since retiring, Mary Ann has enjoyed serving as a funeral assistant at Blyth Funeral Home. With all she is involved in, Mary Ann still enjoys traveling and spending time with her sons and grandchildren.
Jean Ann Polatty is a native of Greenwood and a graduate of Greenwood High School and Anderson College, where she received an Associates of Arts Degree in Fashion Merchandising. She is married to Keith M. Polatty who is employed as Sr. Director of Human Resources for VELUX in North America. Jean Ann and Keith have one daughter, Anna Mills, who is married to D.J. Cox of Lexington, SC. Jean Ann recently retired from her family’s business, Mathis Plumbing Heating and Air, Inc., where she worked as the Corporate Secretary for 35 years. Jean Ann is a member of South Main Baptist Church in Greenwood where she is active in the Women’s Ministry and Chancel Choir. She enjoys playing tennis, coordinating weddings and spending time with her family. She loves working with Blyth and considers every interaction with the families she serves as a ministry opportunity of love and encouragement.
A native of Greenwood, Dwight retired from Greenwood School District 50 after 23 years of service. He has also had a lawn care business for 35 years. Dwight attends Temple Baptist Church where he serves in multiple areas of the church’s ministry. His love of God has also led him to serve with several missions associated groups including South Carolina Disaster Relief, a ministry of the Southern Baptist Association; Send Relief, which involves travel throughout the world; and Camelback Ministries, which travels to Africa to dig wells to supply water in outlying villages.
Dwight is a member of the Eureka Masonic lodge, where he is a past master and also a past District Deputy for the 11th district. He is a York Rite, Scottish Rite, Allied Masonic mason and a Shriner.
Dwight’s passion for service has transferred into a love for cooking. He has perfected his own recipe for sauces which he frequently uses as a way to raise money for missions.
He and his wife Gwyn, live in Ninety Six, SC. They have a daughter, Tara, and one grandson, Wells. He enjoys spending his time with family and friends.
Dwight enjoys working at Blyth because of the opportunities he is provided to serve and minister to friends and family within the community.
A native of West Virginia, David has spent the majority of his life in Greenwood along with his wife Kathy and their family. David is a graduate of Piedmont Technical with degrees in Electrical Engineering and Business Administration. A US Navy veteran, David served the Navy for nine and a half years. His service continued in his civilian life with the US Postal Service. David served as a postal carrier within the city of Greenwood for 25 years. He is actively involved as a member of South Main Baptist Church of Greenwood and assists with the Good News Clubs in our local schools. In his spare time, David enjoys spending time outside, on the farm and fishing as time permits. David enjoys his work with Blyth because it provides an opportunity to continue serving the people of the Greenwood community that he has come to know after working so many years in the area.
A graduate of Greenwood High School, Russell began working for Blyth Funeral Home and Oakbrook Memorial Park in 1989. He has continued assisting Blyth in a part time capacity even after he accepted a full time position with the Greenwood Fire Department in 1999. In addition to his job at the Fire Department, and his work at Blyth, he also makes time to serve the community with his landscape business. He is a member of the Matthews Masonic Lodge and is a Shriner.
Russell and his wife Anne have two children, Michelle, and Rusty. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family. He is an avid sports fan and enjoys racing and an occasional game off golf.
Russell enjoys working with people, and helping others in their time of need. This passion can be seen in both his work at the Fire Department and with the families he serves at Blyth.
Rock spent most of his working life as an educator, teaching science at St. Matthews High School before moving to Ninety Six to serve as a guidance counselor at Edgewood Middle School. In addition, he coached at the high school level for 31 years. He retired from the Ninety Six school district in 1998 and began his second career at the Links at Stoney Point Country Club Pro Shop.
Rock is married to Nancy (Callison) and they have two children, Jonathan (Jessica) and Meredith (Joseph) Lloyd. Rock and Nancy are members of Greenwood's First Baptist Church and he has served on the Boards of the Bowers- Rogers Home, and served as the director of the PJGA program for the SC Golf Association, Lakelands region for twelve years Rock enjoys playing golf in his spare time and his passions include USC athletics and most importantly, his seven grandchildren.
Rock believes that when God closed the door upon his retirement at the Links, that He had another door for him to walk through at Blyth Funeral Home. He enjoys working at Blyth because it provides him an opportunity to serve the families of the Greenwood community which he has had the opportunity to meet throughout the years.
A native of Greenwood, Wayne is the son of the late Paul and Macy Mabry Gantt, who were also Greenwood natives. He is a graduate of Greenwood High School and Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. He and his wife of fifty years, Judy West Gantt, reside in Forest Hills. They have two sons, Larry and Steve who also serve in the family business.
Wayne became affiliated with Blyth Funeral Home in 1962 while still in high school. After returning from college he resumed his employment with the funeral home and in 1971 became co-owner of the firm. He became sole owner of the funeral home in 1986 and continues to serve as president.
He formerly served on the Burton Center Board of Directors and Faith Home Board of Directors for many years and has worked in many other various capacities serving the community in his fifty-four years in the funeral business. He was awarded Small Business Person of the year in 2014 by the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce.
Wayne and Judy are members of Greenwood First Baptist Church.
Samuel P. "Sam" Riley is a native of Ware Shoals and graduate of Ware Shoals High School and Piedmont Technical College. Sam is retired from the Greenwood County Sherriff's Office after over thirty years of service, where he served sixteen of those years as Sherriff of Greenwood County.
Sam and his wife, Sybil are members of Harris United Methodist Church and enjoy spending as much time as they can with their grandchildren. Sam also enjoys cattle farming and working in the community. He is especially honored to serve families through Blyth Funeral Home.
Terry Allen Jones, Jr., 48, resident of Abercrombie Pointe, husband of Heather Simmons Jones, died Sunday, July 23, 2017 after a courageous 18 month battle against pancreatic cancer.
Born in Walterboro, June 18, 1969, he was a son of Terry Allen Jones, Sr. and Debra Barry Jones. Terry was employed by Blyth Funeral Home and Oakbrook Memorial Park in Greenwood and was a member of the First Baptist Church. Terry was also a Shriner and Mason.
Husband to Heather Lea, father to Cowboy, a true Tiger, and fast friend to everyone he met, Terry's infectious smile and big hugs will be missed by so many.
The first one to pull a joke on someone, always trying to make people laugh. Terry loved to hunt and fish mostly because of the people he did it with. With the voice of an angel, Terry moved people with his gift and talent.
From bull riding to wake boarding, Terry always got every second out of life. Terry loved out loud and got it right. Because our love for Terry was so big, our loss is so great, but knowing God loved him the most brings us comfort.
Terry demonstrated a life of richness, courage, faithfulness to his Creator, adoration of his family and through his journey strengthened others' faith and relationships. Terry never once complained during his journey and met each new day with gratitude.
Surviving in addition to his wife of the home, his father of Palm Beach Gardens, FL and mother of Round O, SC is his son, Terry Allen “Trace” Jones, III of the home; a brother, William Thomas (Beth) Jones of Gaffney; a sister, Alexandra Corie Jones; step-mother, Deb Michaels Jones, both of Palm Beach Gardens, FL; uncle, Joe Barry of Round O, SC; two aunts, Kathy (Paul) Martin of Round O, SC and Cindy (Bill) Berl of New Smyrna Beach, FL and a nephew, Reid Jones along with a number of cousins.
