Our Staff

Jonah Rackley has lived in Screven County since 2009. He is a graduate of Screven County High School. He is married to his lovely wife, Elizabeth Wright Rackley. He is the son of Charles Kemball Rackley and Diane Rackley and the grandson of Charles Richard Rackley and Carole Hunt Rackley. Jonah is a member of McDonald Baptist Church and First Baptist Church Sylvania. He is currently enrolled at Ogeechee Technical College in the Mortuary Science program. He is honored to serve the families of Screven County.

Kay G. Strickland was born and raised in Screven County and attended Screven County High School.  She is an active member of the McDonald Baptist Church where she has been a member for many years. Kay is the widow of James M. Strickland, who was an owner and manager of Thompson Strickland Waters Funeral Home for many years and was later the manager for 37 years. Their daughter, Kristan S. Smoak passed away in 2015. Kristan gave Kay two grandsons to spoil, Kameron M. and Tanner K. Smoak. Kay has worked part-time in the funeral home for 37 years. She is honored to assist in serving the families of Screven and the surrounding counties.

Laura Moore is a native and longtime resident of Bulloch County. She is the daughter of the late Louis Olliff Moore and Terri Thomason Moore, the granddaughter of the late Paul L. Moore, Betty June Olliff Moore, and Lola “Tommie” Thomason. She is a graduate of Statesboro High School and attended Georgia Southern University. Laura began her career in the funeral industry in 1997 with Hodges-Turner Funeral Home and graduated from Ogeechee Technical College with an Associate’s Degree in Mortuary Science in 2002. Upon graduation, Laura became the manager of Hodges-Moore Funeral Home and worked in that capacity until 2013. She has worked part-time at Deals over the last several years and returned to the funeral business full-time in 2021. Laura worked for many years with James, Ronnie, and the staff of Thompson-Strickland-Waters and is honored to assist in serving the families of Screven County. 

Laura is the co-owner of Paws 'n Reflect Pet Cremation in Statesboro. She and her business partner, Bob Cook have been involved in funeral and pet services for many years. As longtime pet owners, they know pets are valued and cherished members of the family. At Paws 'n Reflect your pet will always be treated with the dignity and respect they deserve when they cross over the Rainbow Bridge.

Mark Yocco has worked in funeral service for 24 years helping people make funeral arrangements, pre-arrangements, and caring for families after they have experienced the loss of a loved one. He began working with James Strickland and Ronnie Waters in 2000, helping with funeral services and funeral pre-arrangements. Mark believes that serving people in their most difficult hour is living the gospel and serving the Lord by serving His families. He enjoys spending time with his children,  grandchildren, and time in the kitchen cooking.

Hannah Bugos is a native of Illinois. She attended Ogeechee Technical College, and graduated in May of 2024, with her Associate's Degree in Mortuary Science. Hannah has completed the National Board Exams and will become licensed in November of 2024 upon completion of her apprenticeship. She worked alongside James Strickland and Ronnie Waters at the beginning of her career and looks forward to continuing their level of care for the families of Screven County.

Since the 1980s James Strickland helped families in the Sylvania and Screven County communities with compassion and an understanding manner during the worst time in their lives: the passing of a loved one. Born and reared in Royston, Georgia, James graduated with honors from Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science in Atlanta and was certain that the main goal of a funeral service provider was to offer only the best service, sympathy, and respect for people who need a funeral director.

James devoted many years to the funeral profession and was a Rotarian, a Gideon, a deacon and song leader in his church, McDonald Baptist Church, and the coroner of Screven County for nearly 30 years.

Since the 1960s, William "Ronnie" Waters has been associated with the funeral business and helping families with the loss of their loved ones. He dedicated his life to serving grieving families with care, honor, and sympathy.

Ronnie attended certificate courses in management and supervision at Georgia Southern University. He served on the Screven County School Board for 13 years and was deputy coroner for 24 years.