Our History
In the fall of 1990, Grant Memorial Chapel was opened to meet the needs of the families of North Marshall County and the surrounding area. Since opening, Grant Memorial Chapel has offered a wide range of funeral services, both traditional and non-traditional, including cremations at the on-site crematory at our sister funeral home, Guntersville Memorial Chapel. Many things are the same from funeral home to funeral home, but we our services set us apart. Our personal attention and professional service have been our foundation. Our services and support do not end at the graveside. We continue to assist the family in whatever their particular situation requires.
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Gene East, Area Manager
Gene has more than 30 years of experience as a funeral director and embalmer, including 20-plus years of experience managing funeral homes and cemeteries. He graduated from Jefferson State in Birmingham with a degree in mortuary science.
He is currently an area manager for Gamble Holding Company, serving as manager of their Guntersville (Carr Funeral Home), Grant (Grant Memorial Chapel) and Scottsboro (Scottsboro Funeral Home) locations.
Gene, his wife Shana and their son, Jackson, reside in Arab. The East family attends Desperation Church of Arab. Gene is also an active member of the Guntersville Civitan Club and he serves as the president of Arab Youth Football League. -
Cody Gore, CFSP, CCO, Funeral Director/Preneed Counselor
As a licensed funeral director (Alabama and Tennessee), cremationist, and registered preneed sales agent, Cody has been serving families of Marshall County, Jackson County, DeKalb County, and the surrounding areas since 2008. He also holds the designations of Certified Funeral Service Practitioner from the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice and Certified Crematory Operator from the National Funeral Director’s Association. Cody has served his community as a Deputy Coroner for Marshall County, as well as DeKalb County, and also served with the Family Assistance Center of the State Mortuary Operation Response Team. He is also a board member of the Grant Chamber of Commerce, where he currently serves as Vice-President. After graduating from Geraldine High School, he attended Northeast Alabama Community College, Jacksonville State University, and Jefferson State Community College. Cody lives in the Swearengin community with his wife, Kelsy and two sons, Greyson and Tripp. They are members of Oak Grove Holiness Church.
If there are any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact him directly at [email protected] -
Michele Willmon, Office Administrator
Michele is originally from Morgan County, AL in the Priceville community. She graduated A.P. Brewer High School in 1985 and Northeast Alabama Community College in 2013. She is the mother of three children, Jaron Willmon (deceased in 2019), Jacob Willmon and Kaylon Willmon Williams and grandmother of 5 grandchildren; Drake & Oakley Willmon and Kolt, Kynlee and Jaryn Williams. She began working at Grant Memorial Chapel in the fall of 2004 and later took some time off to be with her children before returning to work in June 2020 as the office administrator. Michele has a true love serving the people of Grant and surrounding areas during their most difficult times. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her kids, grandchildren, and friends. Michele and her husband, Jeff, are long time members of Oak Grove Holiness Church, near their home in Swearengin.
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Debra Sutphin, Hostess/Office Assistant
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Joan Stapler, Hostess
