Valerie Peeples Talley
Co-Owner
Valerie Peeples Talley is a daughter of our founders. She graduated from Murray County High School and obtained a Bachelor of Science from Lee College in 1989. She worked at Shaw Industries for a few years before joining the staff of Peeples Funeral Home and becoming a licensed insurance agent. She and her husband Mark have a passion for worship music and enjoy spending time with their daughters and grandchildren.
Amy Peeples Herndon
Co-Owner
Amy Peeples Herndon is a daughter of our founders. She is a graduate of Murray County High School and the University of Georgia. Amy retired in 2016 after serving as an educator with Murray County Schools for 30 years. She and her husband, Jerry, are longtime members of Holly Creek Baptist Church. They have two children, Wesley and Rachel, and four grandchildren, Quinley Bryn, Zelley Opal, Georgia, and Wilder.
Jerry Herndon
Funeral Director
Jerry Herndon is a licensed funeral director, embalmer, and crematory operator with more than 35 years experience serving our community. He is a graduate of Murray County High School and Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service. Jerry married the former Amy Peeples in 1986. He and Amy have two children, Wesley and Rachel, and four grandchildren, Quinley Bryn, Zelley Opal, Georgia, and Wilder. Upon the retirement of John Peeples, Jerry became the Funeral Director in Charge. He has a passion for the funeral profession and for helping families in the difficult times of their lives. Jerry serves as a deacon at Holly Creek Baptist Church. His hobbies are farming, fishing, hunting and antique cars. Jerry is also the owner of Chatsworth Monument Company.
Mark Talley
Pre-Need Counselor
Mark is married to our co-owner, Valerie. Together, they have four daughters. Mark is a licensed insurance agent and specializes in pre-need planning. He enjoys singing, automobiles, and spending time with his family.
Wesley Herndon
Business Manager
Wesley Herndon is a native of Chatsworth and the grandson of John and Frances Peeples. He was the 2007 Salutatorian of Murray County High School and earned a B.S. in Economics and International Affairs with a Certificate in Music from Georgia Tech in 2011. He and his wife, Lesley, reside in Whitfield County along with their daughters, Quinley Bryn and Zelley Opal. They are active members of Chatsworth First Methodist Church. Wesley is an accomplished tenor and has performed in a number of venues with various ensembles. He also enjoys video games, traveling, and Braves baseball. He joined the staff of Peeples Funeral Home in the summer of 2011.
Cody Vineyard
Funeral Director
Cody Vineyard is a native of Chatsworth, GA. In 2011, he received his degree in Funeral Service from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Decatur, GA. He has two children, Keegan Vineyard, and Naomi Vineyard. He enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending time with his children. Cody has been a member of the Peeples Funeral Home staff since the fall of 2011.
Joe Hogan
Funeral Service Apprentice
Joe is a native of Murray County as well as a graduate of Murray County High School. He is the great-grandson of Bobbie and Emmett Hogan. Joe is currently enrolled at John A. Gupton college and hopes to receive an associates of applied science degree in funeral service.
When Joe is not working he spends his free time with his girlfriend usually attending church functions. His hobbies are playing video games, watching the Oregon Ducks play football, and reading.
Cole Talley
Funeral Service Apprentice
Cole has been on staff at Peeples Funeral Home since the summer of 2022. He is a recent graduate of North Murray High School and is currently attending Jefferson State Community College to pursue a degree in Funeral Service. Cole enjoys singing at his church, watching football, and spending time with his girlfriend.
Rocky Green
Hospitality Team
Rocky is a native of Chatsworth and a graduate of Murray County High School. He earned a Doctorate in Biblical Theology from Gospel Schools of the Bible. He resides in Whitfield County with his wife, Linda Ownby Green. They have one daughter, Jeanna, and one granddaughter, Kristyn Mackenzie Rogers. Rocky is an ordained minister and currently serves as the associate pastor at Boanerges Baptist Church in Old Fort, TN. He enjoys flying, singing, playing gospel music, and hosting Christian tours to Israel.
Jerry Parker
Hospitality Team
Jerry Parker and his wife, Sheila, have two sons and daughters-in-law and four grandchildren: Chris & Julie Parker and their children, Jake and Torre Llewellyn, and Kelly & Danyel Parker and their children, Rylee and Samuel Parker. Jerry has been a member and deacon at Holly Creek Baptist Church for many years. He enjoys playing golf and spending time with his family. Jerry has been with Peeples Funeral Home since February, 2001.
Jay Talley
Funeral Assistant
Jay has been on staff at Peeples Funeral Home since 2021. He is a member and deacon at Holly Creek Baptist Church. Jay is happily married to Stephanie Talley and has three children, Cole, Brady, and Jaynie. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends and watching Georgia sports.
Richard Hammontree
Hospitality Team
Richard has been with Peeples Funeral home for many years. After retiring from the flooring industry, Richard came to our firm to work evening visitations. Richard and his wife, Ruth Ann, attend Homeland Baptist Church.
Emmett & Bobbie Hogan
Funeral Assistants
Emmett and Bobbie Hogan have worked for Peeples Funeral Home and have been personal friends of the Peeples Family for decades. They spend lots of time with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and enjoy traveling and visiting flea markets. They have been members of Holly Creek Baptist Church for many years and have ministered to thousands of grieving families during their time with our firm.
Emily Hollifield
Receptionist
Emily is the daughter of Mark and Valerie Talley. She has been on staff with our firm since November of 2022. She and her husband, Jaron, have one son, Finn. Emily attended Lee University and is a graduate of Miller-Motte College.
She enjoys working out, reading, and spending time with her family.
John Peeples
Founder
IN MEMORIAM
John founded Peeples Funeral Home with his brothers, Harlan and Julian, in 1965. He and his wife, Frances, eventually became the sole owners and went on to serve their community for decades. John was the eleventh of fourteen children in a farming family, and a strong work ethic was instilled in him from an early age. Whether he was at the funeral home, on his farm, or in his woodshop, John thrived on hard work and delighted in solving challenging problems. He taught his children and grandchildren to love God, take pride in their work, have a sense of humor, and always consider the needs of others before their own.
John served in the U. S. Army Reserve and was a member of Chatsworth First United Methodist Church and many organizations, including Lions Club International, American Legion Post 167 of Chatsworth, the American Red Cross, Kiwanis International, the Eton Masonic Lodge #509 F&AM, and various trade associations. He was also inducted into the Murray County High School Alumni Hall of Fame. John was an avid big-game hunter and fisherman, and he enjoyed restoring antique cars, woodworking, and collecting knives.
Frances Peeples
Funeral Director
IN MEMORIAM
Frances was, above all else, a woman of strong faith and conviction who spent countless hours in prayer. Her love for Christ was evident in the way that she cared for her dear husband and always wrapped her daughters and grandchildren in warmth and laughter. She was proud of the business that she and her husband built and to which they devoted so much of their lives. As a funeral director at Peeples Funeral Home, she guided many people through some of their most difficult times. She left an incredible example for her family and friends of how a Christian should live, and everyone who knew Frances Peeples is a better person because of it.
