Our Team

In Memory - Stephen Lee Murray

Owner/Funeral Director & Embalmer

Steve was born October 28, 1943 in Port Arthur, Texas to the late Thomas Lee Murray and Jennie Mae Robbins Murray. Steve was the Owner and Funeral Director in Charge of Croley Funeral Home in Gilmer, Gladewater and Hawkins and Grubb’s Lloyd Funeral Home in Gilmer and Diana. He married Karen Borel in 1968 and they spent 52 years together. Steve was a 32nd Degree Mason and Scottish Rite Shriner. Serving as Past Master and Counselor of the Port Arthur DeMolay Chapter, member of the Cosmopolitan Lodge #872 A.F. and A.M. and Past Master and current member of the Bethesda Lodge #142 A.F. and A.M. in Gilmer. Steve received a fifty year pin for his years in the Lodge. He served as a medic in the Army Reserve from 1965 to 1971. Steve began his funeral service career at Levingston Funeral Home in Groves, Texas in 1962 before moving to Gilmer in 1974. He was Past President of the East Texas Funeral Director’s Association and served on the Texas Funeral Director’s Association Board for 2 years. Steve was awarded Funeral Director of the Year and the Ed C. Smith Lifetime Achievement Award by the East Texas Funeral Director’s Association. Steve was also awarded a fifty year pin from the Texas Funeral Director’s Association for his many years of service to his profession. He was also very involved in the community and was past president of the Gilmer Rotary Club where he was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow recipient. Steve also served on the East Texas Yamboree Board for several years. He was a devoted member of First Baptist Church of Gilmer, where he was active in the Workers Sunday School class. Steve was dedicated to his family, his profession and his community, always willing to help and to serve. His legacy will live on through the loving family he leaves behind.


Steve is survived by his wife Karen Murray; son, Troy Murray and wife Jimi; daughter, Lynn Murray; three grandchildren, Kade Murray, Katelyn Perryman and Brettlee Murray.

Steve passed away Monday, November 16, 2020 in Tyler.

Troy Murray

Owner/ Funeral Director & Embalmer

Todd Stansbury

Funeral Director & Embalmer

Todd has been with Croley and Grubbs-Loyd Funeral Homes for over 28 years, and in the funeral service industry in East Texas for over 36 years. He has served on and is still active on many local, civic, state, and administrative boards and committees. Todd enjoys spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, and family. His hobbies include umpiring for high school,
and collegiate showcase games for over 30 years; fishing, hunting, serving in civic and fraternal organizations, is a Past Master of Bethesda Masonic Lodge in Gilmer, and serving friends as a part of the community.

Brandon Glade

Funeral Director & Embalmer

Brandon Glade was born in Salt Lake City, Utah and moved to Clear Lake, Texas as a child, where he graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1996. After graduating from Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Services, in Houston, TX, in 2001 as a Funeral Director and Embalmer, Brandon returned to Salt Lake City, Utah to work for the funeral home founded by his great-grandfather. He furthered his education by getting a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, followed by a Master's Degree in Education. In 2017, Brandon and his family moved to East Texas to pursue a career in teaching in the funeral profession. He joined the Croley Family of funeral directors in September of 2021.

Brandon is married to Nicole and together they have four children, Landon, Carter, Afton and Houston, as well as two dogs, Gus and Lilo. Brandon and his family attend church at the Mount Pleasant Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Brandon enjoys spending time with his family, watching high school and college football, supporting The Pride of Pittsburg Marching Band, playing golf and spending time at the beach.

Keith Brown

Funeral Director & Embalmer

A native of Mississippi, Keith has enjoyed most of his life on the Gulf Coast and in Southeast Louisiana of Ponchatoula. A 1979 graduate of Commonwealth College of Science and 1986 graduate of The National

Foundation of Funeral Service. Keith has held a Funeral Service License since 1979 and has enjoyed serving families for more than 50 years. Keith holds a license to practice Funeral Service in Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.

Keith, his wife Heidi and their dog Walter are boating enthusiast and avid Ole Miss fans. They spend as much of their free time on the Tickfaw River in Springfield, LA as possible and traveling to watch the Rebels play.

Jeremiah Tharp

Funeral Director & Embalmer

Jeremiah was raised in Liberty City, Texas, where he developed strong community roots and a passion for helping others. He graduated from Sabine High School in 1997 and soon began working in the funeral industry, gaining valuable experience at Rader Funeral Home in both Kilgore and Longview. His calling to serve families during their most difficult times led him to further his education at the Dallas Institute of-Funeral Service, where he earned his degree in 2004.

Over the years, Jeremiah has continued to grow in his profession, dedicating himself to providing compassionate care and support. He is known for his calm presence, attention to detail, and heartfelt dedication to the families he serves.

Together Jeremiah and Shannon have built a loving, blended family filled with laughter, faith, and strong values. They are active members of Rosewood Baptist Church, where Jeremiah is involved in the praise and worship team, using his voice to serve the congregation.

Outside of work and church, Jeremiah enjoys traveling with his family, staying active through regular workouts, and spending as much time as possible outdoors. Whether it's a road trip; a hike, or a weekend getaway, he values creating lasting memories with the people he loves most and is always ready for an impromptu weekend getaway.

Staci Wright

Office Manager- Gilmer

Staci was raised in the Gilmer community, where she graduated from Gilmer High School in 2002. She married her husband Adam Wright, of the Harmony community, in 2009. They have three daughters, Landri, Harper, and Carter who attend Winnsboro ISD. Staci worked in the banking industry for over 10 years in the Tyler, Austin, and Plano areas. Her family made the decision to come back to their “roots” in 2016 when their children were ready to start school. Staci came to Croley in August of 2021. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, watching her girls play sports, and volunteering her time with the church and many organizations the children are involved with. They are members of New Beginnings Baptist Church of Gilmer TX.

Amanda Flowers

Office Manager- Gladewater

Amanda is a resident of Gladewater, Texas and 2002 graduate of Gladewater High School. She currently resides with her 2 children David and Ally as well as her German Shepherd Ansell. Amanda is a proud sports, FFA, and Honeybear parent that keeps her busy when not at the office. She stays active volunteering for various school functions and committees along with traveling with her daughter to show goats for Gladewater ISD’s AG department. Amanda has been our office manager since October of 2021 with a total of 12 years of office manager experience. A lifelong resident and alumni, Amanda knew it was the right choice when she was given the opportunity to serve the community; she both grew up in and loved, by working for Croley Funeral Home.

Liz Boren

Office Manager - Gilmer

Roseann Newsom

Office Manager - Diana

Charlotte Chism Waldrum, CFSP

Pre-planning Specialist

Charlotte was born and raised in Irving, Texas coming from a funeral service family. She is a 1988 graduate of Dallas Institute of Funeral Service and has been licensed for over 30 years as a funeral director/embalmer. She is also a licensed insurance agent specializing in preneed advance funeral planning. She is the Past President of the Texas Funeral Directors Association, Irving Yellow Rose AMBUCS.


She currently is President of Irving AMBUCS, serves on several committees for the Texas Funeral Directors Association, is a longtime member of Plymouth Park Baptist Church, and Irving Chapter Order of Eastern Star #777. Her career and community service have earned her with many professional awards such as the distinguished Yellow Rose of Texas by Governor Greg Abbott, Funeral Director of the Year for East and North Texas Regions in 2022. She is the mother of son, Corey. Taking care of others with compassion and care is very important to Charlotte.

Carol Harrell

Receptionist- Hawkins

Carol joined the staff at Croley Funeral Home, Hawkins in 2017 after working in the floral business for seventeen years. She and her husband, Bo have a son Scott and daughter, Stacey. Most weekends they can be found spending treasured time with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She and Bo are members of First Baptist Church, Hawkins where she taught Sunday School for many years.

She will be honored to help you in any way possible to ensure you and your family member receive honor and respect while in our care.

L. Brandon Dodd

Funeral Support Staff

Phil Fowler

Funeral Support Staff

Phil Fowler has been a part of Croley Funeral Home for the past six years. Phil was born in Gilmer and graduated from Gilmer High School in 1970 and attended Stephen F. Austin University with a degree in social work. After working for the State of Texas in Austin, he returned to Gilmer to join his family's business and later opened and operated a successful Pest Control service for 30 years before retiring and joining Croley's staff. Phil is active in the community serving in the Rotary Club of Gilmer, the East Texas Yamboree as a board member and past president, the Upshur County Literacy program, the Chamber of Commerce, City of Gilmer on various boards and as an active member of the Gilmer Church of Christ. Phil assists the Croley team as a funeral assistant, purchasing and inventory and transportation. Phil states "The ability to assist families in their time of need and officiate services, if needed, is considered by me as a ministry that serves God by serving others."

Jimmy McClelland

Funeral Support Staff

Jimmy McClelland is a native of Gilmer and graduated from Gilmer High School, class of 1971 and then went on to graduate from Tyler Junior College in 1973. Jimmy retired from Eastman Chemical Company in Longview, Texas in 2020 with nearly 30 years of service.


Jimmy is married to Beverlee and they have a daughter, Victoria Wolf, and a son, Luke McClelland, as well as five grandchildren.


Jimmy and Beverlee are members of the First Baptist Church of Gilmer. In his spare time, Jimmy's hobbies are spending time outdoors, hunting, fishing and golf.

Tim Marshall

Funeral Support Staff

Tim Marshall is a fifth generation Gilmerite, graduating from Gilmer High School. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science Law Enforcement and Police Science from Sam Houston State University. Tim served over 30 years as a Police Officer at a major Texas city. He has been married for 50 years to an Upshur County native. Tim is proud to say that he has served the families in their time of need for over a decade with the staff of Croley Funeral Home.

Mike Fennell

Funeral Support Staff

Mike Fennell is a native of Gilmer and graduated from Gilmer High School class of 1979. He now resides in Longview. Mike retired after 30 years of service to the Longview Fire Dept.

Mike is married to Debbie have 3 girls and several grandchildren,they attend Spring Hill Assembly of God Church in Longview.

In his spare time Mike spends time running his cattle ranch.

Ray Thompson

Funeral Support Staff

Bridget Fowler

Receptionist/Evening Attendant

Elaine Reeves

Receptionist/Evening Attendant

Deborah Jeter

Receptionist/Evening Attendant

Deedra Dent

Receptionist/Evening Attendant

Deedra Dent was born in Gadsden, Alabama and came to Texas when she was a year old. She is a long-time resident of Ore City, where she grew up and attended school, graduating in 1969. She retired after 32 years of working for US Steel in Lone Star and has worked with Croley Funeral Home and Grubbs Loyd Funeral Home for the last 13 years, working as a receptionist as well as helping as an attendant for evening visitations. Deedra holds a position on the board of the Ore City Cemetery and is a member of the Ore City First Baptist Church. She was married to George Dent, who passed away in 2009. Deedra enjoys bass fishing (she fished professionally for 8 years with Bass'n Gals) and working on her property in her spare time.

Melba Jenkins

Receptionist/Evening Attendant

Ben Morris

Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery Maintenance Supervisor