Each of the staff members at Gordon Funeral Service & Crematory, Inc. is committed to providing your family with the finest in personal care. In fact, for years, it’s been comforting for area families to know that we are available to help at any time of the day or night.

When a loved one dies, all you need to do is make one phone call. From that moment on, we’ll take on the responsibilities of the physical care of your loved one, and the emotional care of those left behind.

Please take a few minutes to get to know our staff. We’re sure you’ll find each of us to be all that you would hope for in a trusted funeral professional.

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M. Kelly Byrd Full-Service Funeral Director & Embalmer Owner & Operator
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Freddie York Full-Service Funeral Director & Embalmer
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Freddie B. Gordon Funeral Director
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Monica Griffin Facility & Office Manager
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Sonya Gaddy Office Assistant
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Steve Weade
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Tim Adams
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Bill Wright
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Tommy Maness Funeral Assistant
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Steve Barbee Funeral Assistant
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Ed Roberts Funeral Assistant
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Carol Gordon Funeral Assistant
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Catherine Fowler Funeral Assistant
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Mary Hasty Funeral Assistant
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Judy Hinson
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Johnny M. Gordon
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Linda G. Sims
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CA Hyatt
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John Crook

M. Kelly Byrd

Full-Service Funeral Director & Embalmer Owner & Operator
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M. Kelly Byrd

Owner & Operator

Funeral Service Licensee

Kellybyrd@gordonfuneralservice.com

 

Kelly Byrd is a resident of Union County, NC. He holds an associate’s degree in computer science and is a graduate of Kings Business College, Class of 1997, and holds an associate degree from Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science, Class of 2001, where he also served as Chaplain in the Theta Chapter of Pi Sigma ETA Fraternity.  

 

Kelly joined the family of Gordon Funeral Service & Crematory in March of 2000. In 2016 the Gordon’s came to me and asked me if I would consider buying the funeral home and operate it as it had for over 40 years under their tenure and us to remain a locally owned and operated funeral home & crematory as it had always been. It was my dream come true for me! The Gordon’s continue to support me in all areas and still help on services when they are needed   I was a part of their dream to expand to our new location in 2003, and the first funeral home in Union County to build their own state of the art on-site crematory. It was with no question nor hesitation to continue their dream and still today we have continue to serve families as only a Family Owned Firm can!.  

 

I am a National and State licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer, licensed Preneed Insurance Consultant, and a Certified Crematory Operator.

 

Devoted to my profession and community, I am a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, the North Carolina Funeral Directors Association. I served on the NCFDA Education Committee, was appointed by the governor to serve over six years on the North Carolina Board of Funeral Service, where I served on numerous committees and was elected as Past Vice President & Past President for the board. I also had the honor of serving with The International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Board on the Model Practice Act for a couple of years.

 

I enjoy traveling, singing, flying, and spending time with family, my daughters Kiersten, Adelyn.  I am proud to serve the community of Union County, and a member of Monroe Rotary Club, service in the board of HealthQuest of Union County. I am a Member of Lee Park Baptist Church. I count it an honor to be the owner and operator along with the best loving and caring staff anyone could ask for. We are still Monroe’s most preferred funeral home and crematory serving over 400 families a year, and that is a proof that God had a plan for me to continue to serve our community with Gordon Funeral Service & Crematory. I am grateful beyond words that I have a part to help those in need at one of the hardest times of their life. “Our Family Serving Your Family” with over 80 years of experience. God is Faithful!!

Freddie York

Full-Service Funeral Director & Embalmer
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Frederick “Fred” Scott York is a lifelong citizen of Union County.  He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a Bachelor’s of Science in Computer Science.  He also graduated from Fayetteville Technical Community College with an Associate’s degree in Funeral Service Education.  He is a lifelong member of Lakeview Baptist Church of Monroe and serves as a member of the IT committee, the Audio/Visual committee, and the Upward Sports Ministry.  He is also a proud member of the Kiwanis Club of Monroe.

 

Fred is a National and State Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer.  At Gordon Funeral Service, Fred served his traineeship in Funeral Service for three years while at the same time working on his Funeral Service Education degree, he graduated in the Summer of 2024.  He actively serves the families of Union County through assisting in the funeral arrangement process, offering guidance and direction in how to best honor the memory of a deceased loved one.  Fred also serves as an IT/AV specialist for on-premises technical difficulties.  He is incredibly proud to be serving the Union County area families during some of the hardest times of their lives.

 

Outside of the funeral home, Fred enjoys getting to spend time with his wife, Emma, and their family.  He also enjoys working on personal videography projects showcasing the area in which he grew up and currently lives.

Freddie B. Gordon

Funeral Director
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Funeral Director (Semi-Retired)

Freddie B. Gordon is dedicated to the funeral profession and has been a licensed funeral director for over 40 years and is a member of the N. C. and National Funeral Directors Associations.

Freddie is a lifelong resident of Monroe and Union County.  He is married to Anna Williams Gordon and has one daughter, Merrill Gordon Sawyer, who is married to Jeffrey Sawyer. Freddie and Anna are proud grandparents of Ava Kate Sawyer and Campbell Sawyer.  

Freddie is a graduate of Campbell University and a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Monroe, where he has served on the Vestry. 

He is a former member and past President of the Monroe Kiwanis Club; past President and Director of Rolling Hills Country Club, past member and President of the Board of Directors of Turning Point, a shelter for women and children who suffer from domestic violence.

Freddie has served for over 30 years as a Committee Member, Board Member and most recently as a City Councilman for the City of Monroe.

His service and dedication to his community and the families of Gordon Funeral Service is proof of his passion for helping others.

Monica Griffin

Facility & Office Manager
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Monica Baucom Griffin is a lifelong resident of Union County, NC. She currently resides in the Fairview community with her four children, Reagan, Wriston, Macie and Maggie. Monica enjoys spending time with her children, family and friends. 

Monica joined the Gordon Funeral Service family in 2017. After experiencing the loss of her daughter Mylee Sue in 2009, she knew that her calling was to help others that may sadly travel the same path, with that said, she feels it a blessing to serve and love the families of Gordon Funeral Service and Crematory. Monica handles many of the administrative duties, specializing in monument creations and service, but loves to serve in any capacity.

Being a teammate at Gordon’s is the most fulfilling job and experience and has truly been the best career and life choice.

Sonya Gaddy

Office Assistant
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Sonya W. Gaddy is a lifelong resident of Union County, NC, and a graduate of Piedmont High School.  She currently resides in Unionville with her husband, Tommy.  They have a son, Lucas; a daughter-in-law, Lea; a granddaughter, Ryan Jean and a grandson, Robert Thomas. Sonya also serves as the clerk, tax collector and land use administrator for Town of Unionville.   She has been an active member of Antioch Baptist Church all her life. 

Sonya joined the Gordon Funeral Service family in 2006, handling many administrative duties.  She is honored to assist the families at Gordon Funeral Service. 

Steve Weade

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Steve comes to us having spent the last 24 years serving families in both Roanoke, Va. and Charlotte, NC.

He currently resides in Matthews and has been a member of the Gordon Staff since 2020. He attended East Mecklenburg and UNC Charlotte.

He spends his off time playing mandolin, banjo and guitar and has been playing since he was 12. Occasionally he plays at The Vine Methodist Church for Sunday services. He also spent much of his time in Virginia as an owner and guide of Virginia Anglers Services, a fly-fishing service. He is also a self-described music festival fan and has been attending them since the late 1990's.

Steve's true source of pride is his daughters, Emily who currently lives in Washington State and Elizabeth who lives in Matthews.

Tim Adams

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Tim Adams has been a resident of Union County since 1987 and taught high school English for 36 years with Union County Public Schools and Union Academy and worked at Lowe’s Home Improvement before joining the Gordon Funeral Service family in October of 2023.

 

He lives in the Unionville area with his wife, Tonya, and they have two children, Luke and Shelby.  While Luke has gained his heavenly wings, Shelby is a senior at UNC-Charlotte working on her communications degree and interning for UNC-Charlotte football.

 

He is a member of Trinity Baptist Church, and he enjoys spending time at the beaches of Sullivan’s Island and Hilton Head Island.

 

His focus at Gordon Funeral Service is assisting and supporting families in their time of need to enable them to begin the process of healing after the loss of their loved one.

Bill Wright

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Bill is a lifelong resident of Union County; He has been married to Kym Pate Wright for over 23 years.  He served his country in the US Marines from 1974 until 1982 and was ranked SGT.

He grew up as a minister’s son, he enjoyed singing at this father’s church and still has a love for Gospel music. Bill is a graduate of Independence High School and a graduate of Central Piedmont Community College where he studied business.

Bill takes pride in being a funeral assistant at Gordon Funeral Service and counts it an honor to serve the families of Gordon Funeral Service.

Tommy Maness

Funeral Assistant
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Tommy Maness is a life- long resident of Union County. He and his wife Ann live in the Unionville community. They have been married for 47 years. Tommy has owned and operated The Weathered Wood Shop, A custom picture framing business for 43 years. Tommy and Ann have two children and three grandchildren.

Tommy and his wife are members at Lakeview Baptist Church in Monroe. He is a train enthusiast, and an avid collector. 

Tommy has been with Gordon Funeral Service for over six years. He has found it very rewarding to be able to assist families in their time of need.

 

Steve Barbee

Funeral Assistant
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Steve was born in Stanly County NC and is a graduate of West Stanly High School.

He lives in Unionville NC with his wife Debbie.  They have a daughter, Jennifer and three grandkids, Jamie, Makenzye and Will.

Steve worked for the NCDOT for 30 years before his retirement in 2002. After retirement he worked for Wilson Air Center at Charlotte Douglas Airport as a ramp agent.  He still works on a part time basis for engineering companies as a consultant.

Steve is a member of Benton Heights Presbyterian Church in Monroe where he has served as session member, president of the BHPC Men’s Fellowship and sings in the church choir.

Steve enjoys golf, fishing and traveling. 

His time with Gordons Funeral Service started in 2022.  People ask me how can you work at a funeral home?  Well, first Gordons has a great staff to work with and I enjoy being a part of such a great team. I am a people person and if I can say something or just give someone a hug when they are going through a sad time it gives me great peace. 

Ed Roberts

Funeral Assistant
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Eddie (Ed) Roberts was born in the Prospect Community of Union County. He and his wife Kathy live in Weddington and have been married for 30 years. Ed was formally employed as a Manager of Nuclear Operations Training. After retirement, Ed and Kathy travel extensively all over the world. Ed and Kathy have two children and two grandsons.

After using Gordon Funeral Service for his own family and experiencing the care Gordon’s provides, Ed found it satisfying to be able to give that same care to families in their time of need.

Carol Gordon

Funeral Assistant
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Carol B. Gordon is a lifelong resident of Monroe, NC and Union County.

She has worked with Gordon Funeral Service since 2007. Being employed with such a caring staff has given her opportunities to share with individuals that have found themselves in her same situation--that of losing a spouse and other family members.

Carol has a son, Jimmy Gordon, Jr. and a daughter, Amy Yermack and her husband, Michael and a grandson, Triston. She spends most of her time keeping her grandchildren, Kathryn and Kennedy Yermack. She enjoys attending Lee Park Church, where she has been involved in several bible studies.

Carol enjoys being on staff with Gordon Funeral Service and hopes that in some way she can be an inspiration to all who use our service.

Catherine Fowler

Funeral Assistant
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Catherine K. Fowler is a lifelong resident of Union County, and lives in the Unionville area.

Catherine is married to her husband of 37 wonderful years, Ron. They have three daughters, Christi, Sarah, and Laura, a son-in-law, Wan, and a grandson, Khai. She enjoys spending her time with her family, cooking, baking, and gardening, as well as helping with various ministries in her Church and the community.

She has been blessed to work with Gordon Funeral Service since 2023.  She considers it an honor to work with a team of professionals who genuinely care for each of their customers like family. This has given her the opportunity to care for grieving families during their time of loss and perhaps share a few words of encouragement.

 

Mary Hasty

Funeral Assistant
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Mary R. Hasty is a lifelong resident of Union County. She grew up in a family of seven children, five sisters and one brother. She was married to Wilburn Hasty for 33 years until his passing, and worked alongside him until their business, Hasty’s Woodworks was destroyed by fire caused by a strike of lightning.

Mary is the mother of a daughter Amy, son Everett and a stepdaughter Lori. She is Maw-maw to five living grandchildren and one deceased. She also has 4 great grandchildren and loves her family and is very thankful for them!

Mary is a loyal member of Trinity Baptist Church in Monroe.

Since being retired she enjoys baking for people and has made many new Friends!!!

 Mary considers it an honor to work for Gordon Funeral Service and Crematory. She enjoys meeting new people and helping those in their time of need.

Judy Hinson

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Judy Hinson is a lifelong resident of Union County, NC. She was married to Dwayne Hinson, until his passing in May of 2023, for 57 years and is the proud mother of Tina Fillmer (Joe) and Stan Hinson (Debra) and grandmother of three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, Judy loves her family and friends.

She retired from Alltel Corporation and was employed with Gordon Funeral Service for over 20 years until she retired. Judy truly enjoyed serving others.

Judy is very active at Midway Baptist Church, and she enjoys serving in the choir and cooking for her church family. Judy also enjoys hosting family reunions at her homestead, a 3-generation home built by her grandparents. She enjoys the outdoors, especially gardening and landscaping.  Judy also loves to travel and has taken three cross-country trips visiting 45 states.

Johnny M. Gordon

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Johnny Merrill Gordon, a dedicated family man and respected figure in the funeral service community, passed away on February 10, 2025, at his residence in Mt. Pleasant, NC. He was born on March 7, 1939, in Union County, NC, and dedicated over 70 years of his life to serving the families of Union and Cabarrus counties as a funeral director.

A 1957 graduate of Benton Heights High School, Johnny furthered his education at the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science graduating in 1959. Johnny began his lifelong love for funeral service in high school at Harris-Wells Funeral Home in Monroe washing cars and putting up tents. In 1965, he became the owner of Gordon Funeral Home in Mount Pleasant, where he and Carolyn raised their family. In 1977 Johnny and his family purchased the former Harris-Wells Funeral Home now Gordon Funeral Service in Monroe to also serve families in that community. In 1986 he and Carolyn returned to Union County settling in the Fairview community. His commitment to his profession was evident through his active involvement in various associations, including serving as former President of the North Carolina Funeral Directors Association from 1985-86. Johnny was a member of the Mt. Pleasant Jaycees and the Monroe Rotary Club, where he was honored to receive the Paul Harris Fellow award on two occasions. His dedication to the community extended beyond his professional life; he volunteered as a fireman in Mt. Pleasant and served as a board member of the Fairview Volunteer Fire Department. Additionally, he was a member and deacon at Bethlehem Presbyterian Church, demonstrating his commitment to both his faith and his community.

Johnny’s family legacy continues through his beloved wife of 66 years, Carolyn Simpson Gordon. He is also survived by his daughters, Johnette Gordon Preddy (David), Susan Gordon Lee (Barry), and Lenora Gordon Barnhardt (Kenneth); brother Freddie Gordon (Anna); sister Linda Gordon Sims; most loved and cherished grandchildren; Rebekah Lee Mullis (Dustin), Rachel Lee Long (Zach) and Gordon Preddy (Brooke); and great-grandchildren, Emmett Mullis, Keegan Long, Palmer and Deacon Preddy.

Johnny is preceded in death by his father, Fred Merrill Gordon, mother, Ruth Crook Gordon, and brother, Harry Gordon.

Johnny Gordon will be remembered fondly for his unwavering commitment to funeral service, his dedication to his family, and his significant contributions to the communities he cherished. Johnny will be tremendously missed as we all here at Gordon Funeral Service strive to continue to honor him and our families.

Linda G. Sims

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Linda Gordon Sims is a lifelong resident of Monroe and Union County, NC.  She served as Secretary/Treasurer of Gordon Funeral Service & Crematory for over 40 years, until her retirement in 2016.

She is a member of First Baptist Church, Monroe, NC.  She enjoys spending time with her son, Brian and his wife, Natisha. 

In her leisure time, she enjoys shopping and spending time at her second home in Cherry Grove, SC. 

CA Hyatt

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C.A. Hyatt is a native to the Unionville Community. He currently lives in the Town of Fairview. C.A. graduated from Unionville High School and Kings College in Charlotte, N.C. He retired from ATE Specialty Materials where he was a cost Analyst. C.A. is an active member of Bethlehem Presbyterian Church. He operated a furniture repair and refinishing business for over 35 years. He also created and sold Barn Quilts for many years, if you wonder what a Barn Quilt is then stop by Gordon’s and see for yourself. We proudly display one of his beautiful creations.

C.A. served in the U.S. Army Reserves.

C.A. was married to the late Alice Jane Price for over 52 years. He has four children and twelve grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

C.A. worked at Gordon Funeral Service for over 7 years, until he retired in 2020. He enjoyed serving families in their time of need.

 

John Crook

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Will forever be in our hearts. He was a TRUE GENTLEMAN, and was a huge asset to Gordon Funeral Service & Crematory.

John Alex Crook Jr., (Uncle John) 96 of Monroe, NC passed away on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. He was born in Union County on June 9, 1927, son to the late John Alex Crook and Wilma Bass Crook. He is also preceded in death by his loving wife Nora Lee Boone Crook, as well as his sisters; Pauline Stegall, Ruth Gordon, Jo Secrest, and Hilda Smith.

Those left to cherish his memory are nephews; Johnny Gordon (Carolyn), Freddie Gordon (Anna), and nieces; Linda G. Sims, Melissa Stroup (Paul), Deborah Moser, and Ann Bump (Lawry), as well as many other nieces and nephews.

He was born and raised on his parent’s farm right before the great depression and his work ethic was instilled in him by his father at an early age. This continued throughout his life. His public career started as a clerk in a grocery store in the Benton Heights community. He went on to work and manage Merit Shoe Store in downtown Monroe. John then worked for Union Electric Membership Corporation for 22 years and retired having served as their Director of Purchasing and Inventory Control. He was instrumental in the creation and served on the Board of Directors of the Bank of Union (now Fifth Third Bank). In 1977 his family purchased and began the operation of Gordon Funeral Service and Crematory, where he contributed immensely to their success until the age of 91.

John was a charter member of the Board of Visitors of Wingate University, where he also established a scholarship in memory of his wife Nora B. Crook, the John A. and Nora B. Crook Endowed Scholarship Fund, He served many roles within the Presbyterian Church and was an early and loyal volunteer with Loaves and Fishes of Union County. John also took great pride in the landscaping and upkeep of his home.

Uncle John was a dedicated employee of Gordon Funeral Service and Crematory.