OUR HISTORY
It was just after World War II when the Harley family began serving Greenwood and the surrounding communities with compassionate assistance in time of sorrow.Founded in 1947, when L. Ruple Harley, Sr. purchased Mobley Williams' share of the Williams-Harley Funeral Home (formerly Ellis Funeral Home), our firm encompasses four generations of the Harley family to serve the community in this important way. In fact, the family's history of funeral service dates back even further, since Mr. Harley's brothers, I.S. and Clifton, operated Dukes-Harley Funeral Home in Orangeburg long before the founding of our firm.Many changes have taken place since 1947. In 1951, we relocated our chapel to what is now a landmark building on the corner of South Main Street and Creswell Avenue. Over the years, we have renovated our facility several times to serve you more completely. But one thing will never change - the Harley family's commitment to always being available as friends and advisers, and to serving you as we would be served.
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L. Ruple Harley, Jr. Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer #1139
Ruple was born in Orangeburg in April of 1944, and followed his father into the funeral profession after graduating from the Kentucky School of Mortuary Science in Louisville in 1964. His professional affiliations include presidential terms with both the South Carolina Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association. It was during his leadership of the NFDA that major changes in veteran funeral protocol came to be. Now, every qualified veteran will be honored in the manner he or she deserves. He was the recipient of the 2014 SC Funeral Directors Association Piedmont Group Funeral Director of the Year.Ruple was awarded the status of Certified Funeral Service Practitioner from the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. He is the president of the L. Ruple Harley, Sr. Educational Foundation, a scholarship that he set up to honor his father, which is now a part of Piedmont Technical College's Foundation and is awarded each year to a deserving student in the Funeral Service Program at PTC. Ruple is also active within our community, serving as Past President of the Greenwood Jaycees, the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce, the Emerald City Rotary Club, and served as the only 5-time chairman of the S.C. Festival of Flowers. He was awarded the 2018 Southeast Festival and Events Association's Best Volunteer award. He has also been honored as Greenwood's "Young Man of the Year," JCI Senate, and is a Paul Harris Fellow. Ruple was inducted into the Greenwood County Hall of Fame in February 2020.A member of Main Street United Methodist Church, Ruple is married to Karen; is the father of two, L. Ruple Harley, III (Carol) and Allison Harley Cobb (Michael), grandfather of six and has two great grandchildren.
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L. Ruple Harley, III and Carol Sprott Harley
Upon graduation from Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science in Atlanta in 1987, Ruple III was proud to follow his father and grandfather in serving the families of Greenwood. He is a licensed funeral director and embalmer (#2012). Ruple is a member of the South Carolina Funeral Directors Association and also serves our local community as a member of the Greenwood Rotary Club, is a Paul Harris Fellow and has served as chairman of the S.C. Waterfowl Association, Greenwood Chapter and the S.C. Festival of Flowers.Carol is also a licensed funeral director (#1887) with the funeral home, is a member of the Greenwood Rotary Club and is a Paul Harris Fellow. She has served as chair of the S.C. Festival of Flowers and is currently serving on the Executive Board of The Museum, sits on the Board of Directors for the Greenwood County Community Foundation and is a member of the SC Funeral Directors Association and Greenwood Women Care.They are active members of Main Street United Methodist Church, where Carol serves as chairman of the Worship Committee and is the Communion Steward.Ruple and Carol are the parents of three, Kerri Jones Thompson (Will), Davis Renee Harley Migdalas (Theo) and Ben Harley; and grandparents to Annie and Thomas Migdalas.
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Kerri Thompson Licensed Funeral Director #4422
Kerri is a graduate of Ninety Six High School and Lander University. She worked for several years in the food service industry and is excited to be a part of her family's business. Kerri is married to Will Thompson, a local musician. They enjoy live music and travel as often as they can.
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Jerry Coleman Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer #1686, CCO
Jerry grew up in Beaufort and is a US Army veteran, having served in Korea and Vietnam during the Vietnam Conflict. He received his degree at Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Atlanta, GA and his designation as a Certified Crematory Operator from the National Funeral Directors Association. Jerry and his wife, Kathy, are members of First Mt. Moriah Baptist Church.
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Amanda Baughman Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer #4234, CCO
Amanda is a graduate of Wayne State University, received her Certified Crematory Operator from NFDA and has been serving families for over 20 years in Michigan, North Carolina and South Carolina. She is married to Brad and has three children, Cecilia, Sydney and Giuseppi.
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Megan Morgan Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer #4549, CCO
Megan is a native of Greenwood and a graduate of Piedmont Technical College's Funeral Service Program and is a Certified Crematory Operator. She is passionate about serving others. Megan is also a talented singer and has been singing since she was 6 years old. She is married to David and together they have three beautiful children, Shaun, Ayla, and Kaia.
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Hannah Stogner Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer #4609, CCO
Hannah is a graduate of Piedmont Technical College's Funeral Service Program and is a Certified Crematory Operator. Born in Florida, her father's career of planting churches took her family to Utah and Charleston. She enjoys spending her free time with her daughter, Emerson, and their dogs.
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Ryan Pitts Funeral Director and Embalmber Apprentice #3600, CCO
Ryan is a native of Georgetown and is a 2012 graduate of Piedmont Technical College's Funeral Service Program. He received the Certified Crematory Operator certification from the Cremation Association of North America. He is a member of the Greenwood Sertoma Club. Ryan is a talented singer and enjoys sharing this gift with others.
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Ashley Clark Administrative Assistant
Ashley is a native of Chesterfield County and graduate from Piedmont Technical College's Funeral Service Program. Her pleasant phone greeting is the first assurance to families that Harley Funeral Home is here to help, however and whenever you need. Ashley’s passion is serving others and she expresses her work at the funeral home is a ministry rather than a job. In her free moments, she spends time with her husband, Brian and enjoys baking and traveling.
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Rev. Randy Ouzts
Randy served Trinity Baptist Tabernacle for many years and currently serves as a chaplain at The Faith Home. He and his wife, Mary Ann, live in the Kirksey community.
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Tommy Balchin
Tommy is retired from Self Regional Healthcare. He and his wife, Jean, live in Ninety Six and are members of Cambridge United Methodist Church.
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Jimmy Corley
Jimmy served in the US Navy during the Vietnam War and is retired from Monsanto. He and his wife, Beth Banks, attend North Side Baptist Church.
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J. W. Walker
J. W. retired from the Walmart Distribution Center. He and his wife, Mary, are members of Callie Self Memorial Baptist Church.
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Rick Brewer
Rick serves as the funeral home's facilites manager and is a funeral assistant. He is retired from North Side Baptist Church. He is a member of The Links at Stoney Point Golf Course, serves on the board for the buildings and grounds at the Lakelands Baptist Association, serves on the board for Chairman of Greater Greenwood United Ministries and is a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. Rick and his wife, Anne, are members of North Side Baptist Church, where he serves as a deacon.
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Tony Sleister
Tony attended Lander College and graduated from Piedmont Technical College's Nursing Program, retiring from Carolina Health Centers. He is an avid hunter and Clemson fan. Tony and his wife, Donnis, have two children and five granddaughters. They are members of Harris Baptist Church, where he is a leader of the Men's Ministry.
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Ann Brown Martin
Ann grew up in McCormick and retired as an Administrative Supervisor for McCormick and Abbeville County Health Departments. She volunteers with HospiceCare of the Piedmont and attends North Side Baptist Church.
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Linda Brock
Linda grew up in Ninety Six and retired from both Greenwood Mills and Upper Savannah Council of Governments. She is a member of Ninety Six Pentecostal Holiness Church, where she teaches Sunday School.
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Travis Dudley
Travis retired from the SC Department of Natural Resources after long career in law enforcement and is a member of the Ninety Six Lions Club. He and his wife, Laura, live in Ninety Six and have two sons, Will and Hampton. They are members of St. Paul United Methodist Church.
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Tanner Hall
Tanner is employed by the Greenwood Fire Department as Chief. He and his wife, Amanda, have two children.
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Travis Lathren
Travis is employed by the Greenwood Fire Department as the Deputy Fire Marshall. He is married to Stephanie and they have two sons. They are members of Woodfields Baptist Church.
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Jamey Guy March 1, 1976 - March 2, 2019
Jamey served the families of Greenwood and surrounding communities for 20 years before his untimely death at the age of 43. He will always be remembered and missed as a vital part of the Harley Funeral Home family.
