Lawrenceville Staff

Rick Johnson
Chief Executive Officer
Rick Johnson started working with Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, LLC in 1978, coincidentally the year he and Mr. Wages’ daughter, Tommie Ann, were married. He is a native of Gwinnett County, a licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director and has grown up with Gwinnett County. Rick and Tommie Ann have three children, Matthew, Kathryn and Sam. Rick presently serves as CEO of the company and is available daily to serve you.

Valerie J. Wages, CFSP
President
Valerie returned to the family business in 2006 after a fifteen year career in consulting with and developing funeral home personnel throughout the United States, as well as abroad. She was recognized during that time as one of the most sought after public speakers in the funeral service profession. Valerie graduated from Georgia College & State University, Milledgeville, GA in 1971 and was an honor graduate from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Atlanta on August 19, 1977. She has received numerous awards and recognitions in her career, such as, serving as the first woman President of the Georgia Funeral Directors Association (1988-89) and the first licensed woman Embalmer and Funeral Director to serve on the Georgia State Board of Funeral Service. As always, Valerie’s desire to improve client family satisfaction, along with her gift of meticulous attention to detail and compassion, will be the hallmark of her service within the family business.

Alan H. Johnson
Chapel Manager
Alan H. Johnson, Chapel Manager of the Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, LLC, Lawrenceville Chapel, is a Licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director. Alan has the rare distinction of representing the 6th generation of his family from Gwinnett County. In 1984 Alan began his apprenticeship and later went to Gupton- Jones College of Funeral Service in Atlanta where he graduated in 1992 with perfect attendance. He is a member of Pi Sigma Eta Mortuary Fraternity and is a member of the Academy of Graduate Embalmers of Georgia.

Bryan E. Rickert
Licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director
Bryan E. Rickert, immediately following his 1992 graduation from Central Gwinnett High School in Lawrenceville, started his funeral service career with Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, LLC. In 1994 he graduated from Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science and soon thereafter earned a license as an Embalmer and Funeral Director. Bryan started at the apprentice level and after many years of hard work and dedicated service has proven to the company, his co-workers and our clientele that he has been gifted in the area of embalming. He now oversees all preparation work done at any of the locations. You may email Bryan with any questions at bryan@wagesfuneralhome.com.

R. Jeremy Watkins
Licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director
R. Jeremy Watkins, a Licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director, has been a part of Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, LLC since 1991. He is a 1995 graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science. Jeremy’s background involves the care and operation of a national cremation society in the Atlanta area. His knowledge of cremation options has led to his appointment as Manager of the North Georgia Crematory. Jeremy welcomes any questions about the cremation process, which includes available options and cost associated with cremation. You may email Jeremy with any questions at jeremy@wagesfuneralhome.com.

Steve “Bo” Roberts
Funeral Assistant
Bo, known as “Boweevil” to the families of Barrow County, Georgia and surrounding areas, has been in the Funeral Business since age 11. He worked at Wise Funeral Home in Winder, Georgia for 20 years before coming to Tom M. Wages where he has found a home since 1991. Between the years of 1981 and 1984, Bo was the Coroner for Barrow County. He is an active member of the Winder Apostolic Church of the Lord Jesus Christ and has family in both Barrow and Gwinnett Counties. His life has been dedicated to the funeral industry and his compassion is known throughout North Georgia. Bo has coached and mentored many funeral service apprentices in how to exceed each family’s expectations and the importance of high quality family service. He is an expert floral arranger and has done some of the large funeral services in the area. His talents also include being a soloist at many services where he sings acappella. Bo holds the distinction of being certified by the Crematory Association of North America as a “Certified Crematory Operator”.

Tom M. Wages, Jr.
Funeral Assistant
Tom M. (Tommy) Wages, Jr. was literally born into the funeral profession. As a child he spent most of his time at the funeral home with his father. It is his ambition to display the attitude of service instilled in him by his father, our founder, Tom M. Wages, Sr. Tommy plans to serve his apprenticeship upon his graduation from high school and attend a college of funeral service to become a Licensed Emalmer and Funeral Director.

Lisa Brooks
Administrative Assistant and Special Projects
Lisa Brooks comes to Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, LLC after 9 years as an Administrative Marketing Assistant in the field of private probation and offender monitoring services. She brings to us a deep compassion for families who are in need and is dedicated to our goals of family care with compassion and competence. Lisa’s husband of 26 years, Rick, is a Capt. in a Metro Atlanta Fire Department and they have two daughters.

Brad Ewing
Family Services Manager
Brad has worked in the area of preplanning since 1992. He is a licensed insurance agent in the state of Georgia and is a member of the Optimist Group. In 1978 Brad finished his schooling at Plymouth State College. Brad and his wife, Heta, have one daughter who is a school teacher in the local area. Brad is a member of North Star Church.

Bernice Dodson
Ambassador and Weekend Administrative Assistant
Bernice was born in Alabama and moved to Snellville, GA in 1991. Bernice began her career in Banking in 1969 when she lived in Alabama. She has been employed with The Brand Banking Company since 1999 as a teller, currently at the downtown Lawrenceville Branch. Bernice has been with Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, LLC since 2003 as a Weekend Administrative Assistant. She is a very compassionate and caring individual and develops great rapport and relationships with the many families she comes in contact with through our organization, as well as her service to the Brand Banking Company. Bernice has one daughter, Ashley. Ashley is married to Snellville native Wayne Briscoe and they have a daughter (Bernice's first Grandchild).

James McClure
Ambassador
James McClure has worked for Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, LLC as an Ambassador since June of 2004. He is a resident of Snellville, Georgia and is retired from the Snellville Police Department. He and his wife Nancy are members of the Woodlake Baptist Church where James teaches an adult Sunday School Class.

Tim Hunter
Funeral Assistant
Tim Hunter has lived in Gwinnett County since he was three years old. He grew up in Lilburn where he learned about community service through the Boy Scouts of America where he earned his Eagle Scout status. Tim joined the Gwinnett County Police Department in 1979 and recently has retired. He sees his involvement with Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, LLC as an opportunity to continue the community service for which he has been called. Tim married a Tucker, GA girl, Tracy Lynn Roberts. They have resided in Dacula with their two children, Daniel and Mary since 1984. They are active members of the Hebron Baptist Church where Tim plays in the church orchestra.