Snellville 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.

Christopher S. Banks
Chapel Manager
Christopher S. Banks, Chapel Manager of the Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, LLC, Snellville Chapel, and is the Funeral Director in full and continuous charge. Chris is a 1992 graduate of LaGrange High School and graduated in 1993 from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service. In 1995 he obtained his licenses with the State of Georgia as an Embalmer and Funeral Director. Chris is a member of the Georgia Funeral Directors Association, and the Academy of Graduate Embalmers of Georgia. He has been trained by Emory University and certified by the Georgia Eye Bank as an Eye Enucleator.

J. Nicholas Ergle
Licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director
J. Nicholas Ergle is a graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service and is a Licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director. He has been with the funeral home since the Fall of 2000 and looks forward to serving the community for many more years to come.

Matthew Kendrick
Funeral Assistant
Matt graduated from Shiloh High School in Snellville, GA in 2002 and plans on attending Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service after the completion of his apprenticeship with Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, LLC. Prior to funeral service, Matt was an Emergency Medical Technician with a private company in the Metro Atlanta area. Matt’s concern for his fellow man has led him to the funeral profession to carry out his desire to help people when they need it the most. Matt enjoys outdoor activities including hunting, fishing, climbing and loves attending Georgia Bulldog football games and NASCAR races.

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.

Barbara Petersen
Administrative Assistant
Barbara Petersen has been the Snellville Administrative Assistant since 1988. Barbara handles the accounting, the funeral related filings and day-to-day business activities of the facility. She is married to Richard E. Petersen, Jr. and has 2 children, Scott and his wife Tina, Sheridan and her husband Charles, and two grandsons Joshua and Jonah Soper. Barbara is a member of the First Baptist Church of Snellville where she has become an active member of the nursery ministry.

Brad Ewing
Family Services Manager and Continuing Care
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 Gwinnett County. Brad is a member of North Star Church.

Jim Overstreet
Ambassador
Jim Overstreet is retired after 33 years of service with the DeKalb School System. He was part of their Computer Information Systems Department. Jim is married, has three children and one granddaughter. He and his wife are members of the First Baptist Church of Snellville.

John Bailey
Funeral Assistant
Johnny Bailey and his wife Angie are members of the First Baptist Church of Snellville. They have two sons and four grandchildren (two boys and two girls).

John E. Mitchell
Ambassador
John E. Mitchell, a native of North Carolina, is a graduate of R.P.I of The College of William & Mary with a BFA Degree. He is a retired Advertising and Marketing Executive and is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and Naval Service. John and his wife, Elaine Shell Mitchell, have lived in Snellville since 1964 and are members of Snellville United Methodist Church. They raised two daughters and a son. John is a Stephen Minister at Snellville United Methodist Church and a Co-Director of the Cancer Ministry.

Ken Hood
Funeral Assistant and Ambassador Services Coordinator
Ken Hood, a native of Gwinnett County, lives in Snellville and has been employed with Tom Wages Funeral Service, LLC since September, 2003. Ken, a graduate of the University of Georgia, retired after 38 years of services with Casualty Claims Insurance. Ken and his wife Carolyn are members of the First Baptist Church of Snellville. He has two children and four grandchildren. Ken oversees all the Ambassador services that arre provided to client families.

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.