Chad Woody

Managing Partner/ NC & SC Funeral Service License

Chad Woody was born and raised in South Carolina; he came to live in Richmond County in March 1995 when he was hired by Walter T. Stephenson at Watson-King Funeral Home. Chad became a Funeral Service Licensee in March 1996. Chad joined the Richmond Memorial Park team in April 2011 as Managing Partner and has his North Carolina Cemetery License. He lives in Hamlet with his wife, the former Julie Venable, daughter of Carole Venable and the late Ronnie Venable, and their three sons, Nic, Chase and Trent.

Chad graduated from St. Johns High School in Darlington, South Carolina in 1993 and from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Atlanta, Georgia in February 1995. While in high school, Chad earned his Eagle Scout title and also became member of the Order of the Arrow Brotherhood.

Chad attends Marks Creek Presbyterian Church in Hamlet; he is a member and President of the Rockingham Kiwanis Club and also Seaboard Festival Planning Committee in Hamlet. In his spare time, Chad enjoys watching University of Georgia Bulldogs Football, playing golf, and fishing and hunting, along with spending time with his family. Chad is the son of Kenneth and Eloise Woody of Santee, South Carolina.

James H.

NC Funeral Service License

James H. “Jimmy” Eason  son of the late James and Kathryn Eason  was born and grew up in Hamlet.  After graduation from Hamlet High School he received his A.S. Degree in Mortuary Science from Miami-Dade School of Mortuary Science in Miami, Fla.  While attending school he was employed with Joseph B. Cofer funeral home in Miami, Fla.  Jimmy has many years of  experience in funeral service and is a licensed  N.C. Funeral Director and Embalmer.  He joined  the staff of Powell Funeral Home in Southern Pines in 1972.  In 1983 he became manager of Edwards Funeral Home in Kinston, N.C.  where he later became Owner and President.  In 2017 he retired from Edwards Funeral Home and sold the business.  After retiring he stayed on for one year to assist the new owner then relocated back to Richmond County.  He has been employed with Watson-King Funeral Homes in Rockingham and Hamlet since  2018.   He is married to the former Janice Boroughs of Southern Pines.  They reside here in Richmond County. Jim follows NC State Sports and a long time member the Wolf Pack Club.

Tom Stephenson

NC Funeral Service License

Tom Stephenson is a native of Richmond County and the son of the late Walter and Jane Stephenson, the former owners of Watson-King. He is a graduate of North Carolina State University with degrees in Economics and Business.

Prior to returning home, Tom spent 18 years in Human Resources with an Engineering and Construction group on projects ranging from nuclear power, to pulp and paper, to chemicals.

Tom began work with Watson-King in 1997. He completed the course work in Mortuary Science at Fayetteville Technical Community College, where he was named a J. M. Nolte Scholar for Academic Excellence. Tom became fully licensed to practice funeral service in 1999.

Tom is married to the former Libba Williamson, and they reside in Hamlet.

Amarinda Wilmot

NC Funeral Service License

Amarinda Wilmot was born in North Carolina and raised in numerous states. Coming from a military family, Amarinda spent many of her adolescent years in Florida and Washington State. After relocating back to North Carolina with her family, she would go on to graduate from Fayetteville Technical Community College with her A.S. In Funeral Services July 2022. Along with completing her degree, she has also achieved a certification in Anatomical Embalming.

 Amarinda first came to work for Watson-King Funeral Homes in Hamlet and Rockingham in 2022 originally as an apprentice. She is now working as a licensed funeral director and embalmer as of 2023. Amarinda currently resides in Hamlet with her two cats. 

When Amarinda is not busy with work and school she likes to spend time with her family, or she’s occupied with a new art project. Amarinda dabbles in various mediums but loves sculpting and portrait work the best. She enjoys being able to use her creative and unique skills to offer personalized care to families that have lost a loved one.

James Mims

Funeral Service Student

James Mims was born and raised in Ellerbe, by his parents Frank and Jessica Mims. James attended Temple Christian School beginning in kindergarten, until his graduation in 2022. James has since completed classes at Richmond Community College and is currently enrolled in Fayetteville Technical Community College where he is working to obtain his License in Funeral Services. James first came to work with Watson-King Funeral Homes in May of 2022, and in November of that same year he began his full-time employment with the funeral home and with Richmond County Memorial Park.

     James is a member of Victory Baptist Church in Lilesville, North Carolina, and many Sundays James can be found bringing the word in the county and surrounding areas at churches in need of someone to fill the pulpit.

     James highly enjoys spending time with his extended family. James is blessed with three sets of grandparents in his life. His maternal grandparents, John and Linda “Faye” Hatcher, and on his father’s side, his grandparents Frank Mims Sr. and Kathy Mims, and his great-grandparents Danny and Jane “Honey” Mims.

     James enjoys being able to work in a field in which he can firsthand see the positive affect that he and all within the funeral field have on the families that they have the honor of serving. James also enjoys being able to officiate funerals when a family is in need of a minister.

     In his spare time, James enjoys doing photography and other volunteer work for Richmond County Hospice, spending time reading, studying for sermons and just being in the county with the public he has grown to love over his lifetime here. James is always easy to spot by all who know him for he is never seen without his cowboy boots or his hat.

NC Funeral Service Licensee