In Loving Memory of

Wayne Worrell

1950 ~ 2025

Mr. Merlin

Fur-neral Director & Manager of O-purr-ations

Mr. Merlin joined our funeral home team in 2025 and quickly rose to the esteemed position of Fur-neral Director & Manager of O-purr-ations. With a soft paw and a calming purr, he brings comfort to grieving families and staff alike. His daily duties include greeting visitors at the door, supervising nap-taking procedures, inspecting floral arrangements, and ensuring everyone remembers to pause for a moment of quiet reflection (and a good head scratch).

Known for his impeccable bedside meowner and strong purr-sonal presence, Mr. Merlin specializes in emotional support, lap warming, and the occasional paperweight duties during family meetings. When not hard at work, he enjoys lounging in sunbeams, knocking pens off desks, and offering gentle companionship to all who walk through our doors.

Mr. Merlin reminds us all that love, in any form, is a powerful part of the healing process.

Carly Shumate

Licensed Manager & Funeral Service Licensee

Carly has been in the funeral industry, in some form or another since she was only 16.  She graduated with an AAS in Mortuary Sciences from Tidewater Comm. College in 2012.

After almost a decade of working as a certified crematory operator, both for pets & people, she has now obtained her license as a NC & VA Funeral Director & Embalmer.  She also has plans to obtain a Bachelors degree in Funeral Management.

Carly came to American Funeral Partners in October of 2020 as an apprentice.  Since then, she has helped manage Carolina Cremation Center & now travels between our multiple sister funeral home locations to help serve families wherever they may be.  As of April 2024, she was named Licensed Manager of Cox-Needham Funeral Home.

In her time away from work, she enjoys spending the day with her husband, John & son, Daniel & her favorite fur-child, Ava Lou.

Email: 

Steve Snow

Funeral Director

Steve is a 1970 graduate of Surry Central High School and a 1974 graduate of Pfeiffer University where he earned a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. Before entering the funeral profession , Steve worked as Department Supervisor at RJR Tobacco. 

In 1990 Steve became a partner and began his career with Cox-Needham. He currently serves as Vice President and Funeral Director with the company and has been a board member of the Fulton Family YMCA in Winston-Salem for 12 years. He was a charter member of the Pilot Mountain Jaycees and a past member of the board of directors of Pilot Knob Fire Department. 

He is married to Lin and has one daughter Anna Katherine.

Mary Ann Freeman

Funeral Assistant

Mary Ann is a 1981 graduate of Mount Airy High School. 

She is married to Mitchell Freeman and they have two wonderful children together, Michael Brandon Freeman and Candice Michelle Freeman.

In 2010 she joined the funeral home staff as a funeral assistant.

Telephone: 1-336-368-2233

Norman Jones

Funeral Assistant

Nick Burton

Removal Tech & Crematory Operator

Sam Faw

Crematory Operator & Apprentice

Sam Faw is an Apprentice Funeral Director and recent graduate of Fayetteville Technical Community College’s Funeral Service program. Dedicated to serving families with care and compassion, Sam is gaining hands-on experience in all aspects of funeral service under the guidance of experienced professionals. With a strong foundation in funeral service education and a commitment to excellence, Sam is passionate about supporting families through meaningful services and honoring the lives of their loved ones.

Email: 

Izzabell Heinke "Smalls"

Funeral Attendant & Mortuary School Student

Smalls began her journey in funeral service two years ago, shadowing at one of our sister locations. A recent high school graduate, she is currently enrolled in Mortuary School, pursuing her passion for helping families during their time of need. At Cox-Needham Funeral Home, Izzabell serves as an Office Assistant and Funeral Attendant, bringing dedication, compassion, and a warm presence to every family she serves.

Autumn Beeson

Removal Tech & Funeral Attendant

Autumn Beeson joined the Cox-Needham Funeral Home team in September 2025. She serves as a Removal Technician, Funeral Attendant and Office Assistant, where she is known for her reliability, professionalism, and caring demeanor. Autumn plays an important role in supporting both our staff and the families we serve with compassion and respect.

Crissa Desgrottes

Removal Tech

Crissa Desgrottes has been familiar with the work of funeral service for years, having shadowed her best friend and our Office Manager, Carly, for the past five years. She officially joined the Cox-Needham Funeral Home team in September 2025 as a Removal Technician, bringing experience, dedication, and a compassionate heart to every family she assists.

Jackson Hodge

Crematory Assistant & Removal Tech

Jackson Hodge joined Cox-Needham Funeral Home as a Removal Technician and Crematory Assistant and is quickly climbing the ranks. Known for his playful personality—often trying to match the attitude of his mentor, Mr. Merlin Wayne—but don't worry, Jackson always maintains a warm and cheerful demeanor when working with families, bringing professionalism and kindness to every service.

Whitney Hodges

Removal Tech & Funeral Attendant

Whitney Hodges is a Removal Technician and Funeral Attendant at Cox-Needham Funeral Home with extensive experience supporting grieving families. She previously worked at a cemetery, assisting at-need families, and brings compassion, understanding, and professionalism to every service she is a part of.

Tammy Moser

Removal Tech & Office Assistant

Tammy Moser has been a valued member of our team for several years as a removal technician. Recently, she has also begun assisting with office tasks, bringing her dedication and experience to multiple areas of our operations.

AJ Daoud

President, Funeral Director & Embalmer

AJ started his career in law enforcement and working part-time at a funeral home. As a police officer AJ served as State President and National Vice President of non-profit police youth organization (PAL).   

In 1986 he entered funeral service full time and became nationally known in the industry for writing articles and speaking to several organizations about his progressive ideas about funeral service. Having served various leadership roles in Pilot Mountain/Surry County including past chairman of United Way, past vice chairman for Habit for Humanity, past president of the Pilot Mountain Merchants Association. AJ currently serves as vice chairman for the town planning and zoning board. 

AJ is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in North Carolina, Virginia, Florida & Texas. His expertise in funeral service has led him to become appointed to serve on several national committees in funeral service organizations. In his career he has guided and served thousands of families during their time of need. 

Email: 

Bobby Knouse

Removal Tech

Katie Thompson

Office Assistant

Katie came to work with Cox-Needham in November of 2023.  She will be starting school at the first of the year for Mortuary Sciences.

Katie lives in Shoals with her 4 y.o. son Waylon, her chocolate lab Huck.

In her spare time, she loves spending time with her son, her sister & her two nieces.