History & Staff

Kyle Struempf, Funeral Director, CEO

Kyle was born and raised in the Cobb County area. He graduated from South Cobb High school, and went on to graduate from Shorter College on a basketball scholarship. After receiving his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1996, he helped establish Davis-Struempf Funeral Home along with his mother, Debbie, and Uncle Jim. Kyle received his license in Funeral Service in 1999 and became the 3rd generation of his family to serve in the funeral business (Roy Davis, his grandfather, being the 1st in 1937). Kyle is married to Kortney and they have 2 beautiful daughters, Miller and Murphy. Nothing brings more joy to Kyle than spending quality time with his family and dogs, Regan and Jasper. He is also an avid sports fan and loves the Atlanta Braves, the Falcons, and the Hawks.

Lauren Davis, Family Counselor, COO

Lauren joined Davis-Struempf Funeral Home full time in 2011. She grew up in the funeral business as a child with her grandfather, Roy Davis until her father, Jim Davis and aunt, Debbie Struempf built Davis-Struempf Funeral Home in 1996. Lauren strives to follow her father’s legacy after his passing in July of 2021 by building strong relationships with the community. Before joining the staff at Davis-Struempf, Lauren spent many years teaching at several Montessori Schools. In 2009, Lauren spent eight months in Jamaica where she helped train and set up a small community school. Lauren stays busy outside of work by volunteering as a member of the PTA Board of Education and serves as the Education Enrichment Chair by organizing many PTA events. In her spare time, Lauren enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and reading.

Debbie Struempf, Co-Founder

Debbie grew up in Austell working with her father, Roy O. Davis, in the family’s funeral home. After graduating from Gulf Park College, she married Richard Struempf, and they just celebrated their 53rd anniversary. They raised two children, Kelly and Kyle, and have four granddaughters. When her youngest started school, she began working full-time with her father and brother, Jim, at the funeral home. In 1996, she and Jim opened Davis-Struempf Funeral Home. In 2021, Jim passed away suddenly and she was blessed with continuing to work with her son, Kyle, and Jim’s two daughters, Lauren and Hannah. Her father instilled in her respect and honesty for all the families that were in need of their services. Debbie cherishes her church, family, service to the community, and traveling.

Jim Davis, Co-Founder

Jim and his sister, Debbie Struempf built Davis-Struempf Funeral Home in 1996. Jim has served families in and around the Austell community for many years. Jim worked side by side with his father, Roy Davis at Roy Davis Funeral Home for over a decade until his father’s passing in 1992. He attended South Cobb High School and then graduated from Arlington High School. Jim then graduated from Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL. He decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and graduated from John A Gupton College, Nashville, Tennessee in 1978. He served on the Georgia State Board of Funeral Service from November 3, 1998 until July 13, 2004. James “Jim” Burton Davis, age 64 of Austell passed away July 22, 2021.

Anna Lavin, Funeral Director, Manager

Anna has been with Davis-Struempf since 2016. She is a Clarkdale native and had lived in the Austell area most of her life. After graduating from South Cobb High School, she went on to graduate from the University of Georgia, and then got her funeral director's license from the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service. She lives in Marietta with her husband, Patrick, and loves to read, exercise, craft, and play videos games in her free time.

Hannah Davis, Administrative Assistant

Hannah is Jim Davis’ youngest daughter. Hannah has been a life-long resident of Austell and graduated from Hillgrove High School. She now lives in Villa Rica with her daughter, Raylee; 3 dogs, Gatling, JoJo, and Pepper; and cat, Mufasa. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her daughter, especially cheering her on at softball games, and spending time with her pets. Hannah has always been interested in the funeral industry and is excited to continue the family tradition.

Christina Coats, Funeral Director

Christina has always had a passion for helping those in need— whether it’s through her previous work in an addiction treatment center, a domestic violence shelter, or though her current career as a Funeral Director—she finds a true purpose in helping others. She graduated from Kennesaw State University with a bachelor’s degree in Human Services in 2018, then graduated from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in 2020. She has been working with Davis-Struempf since 2020. Christina lives in Marietta with her partner, Murice and her two cats, Bella and Winter. She enjoys spending her free time reading, painting, traveling, and being with family.

Teri Farrell, Funeral Director

Teri joined our team as an apprentice in 2021 while attending Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service. She has since earned her degree and licenses as a Funeral Director, Embalmer and Certified Crematory Operator. She finds serving our families deeply meaningful and personally fulfilling. Teri and her husband, Patrick, are both Air Force veterans and reside in Paulding County. They have two wonderful daughters, Devin and Tatum, a puppy named Leo and cat named Salem. Teri enjoys vacations out West, quiet evenings at home and spending time with loved ones and friends.

Kortney Struempf, Pre-Need Counselor/Aftercare Specialist

Kortney joined Davis-Struempf as our Pre-Need Counselor and Aftercare specialist in 2024. She is a licensed insurance agent and looks forward to sharing her expertise with the community. Kortney was raised in Cobb County and graduated from Walton High School. She went on to Georgia Southern University with a fine arts scholarship and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in painting and a certification in Art Education K-12. After graduation she taught art at Harrison High School for two years before joining her father in his Real Estate brokerage. She has been and still is an active agent for almost two decades. Kortney is married to Kyle and together they have 2 wonderful daughters, Miller and Murphy, whom are both active in competitive volleyball. Kortney still actively paints and loves meeting new people.

Farren Roper, Chaplain/Funeral Assistant

Farren has pastored for 31 years, the former pastor of Ewing Road Baptist Church and the new pastor of Tayorsville Baptist Church. He has a PhD in Biblical Counseling and we are looking forward to his invaluable experience.

Thomas Blagg, Chaplain/Funeral Assistant

Bishop Thomas Blagg is the pastor of Riverside Church of God in Powder Springs, where he has served his congregation for 25 years. He was ordained as a Bishop at the age of 25, and has served the North Georgia Church of God as District Overseer for the last 10 years. He completed his ministers internship in 1998 and took courses in Ministerial Studies from Lee College in Tennessee. Thomas brings 10 years of experience as a funeral assistant and considers it an honor to serve families in their time of grief. He resides in Paulding County with his wife of 37 years, Sherry; 3 daughters; and 4 grandchildren.. He has been a valuable member of Davis-Struempf since December 2023.

Jimmy Lewis, Funeral Assistant

Jimmy came to work at Davis-Struempf Funeral Home in June, 2007 after working in the IT/Computer field for almost 40 years. He is a lifelong member and Deacon of Mt. Harmony Church in Mableton and member of the South Cobb Lions Club for the past few years. Activities through the years include bowling, playing softball, coaching Little League Baseball and Basketball, umpired Girls’ Softball, as well as serving as President of the South Cobb Youth Association. His hobbies are watching all sports.
Jimmy has been a resident of Mableton all his life. He has been married to Susan for 53 years. They have two sons, Brian and Michael Lewis; and three grandchildren, Carson, Dalton, and Anna-Lin.

Susan Lewis, Visitation Hostess

Susan Lewis joined the Davis-Struempf family as a Visitation Hostess in 2024. She is a lifelong resident of Mableton. After graduating Pebblebrook High School in 1967, she married the love of her life, Jimmy Lewis. God blessed them with two sons and daughter-in-laws, Brian & Candice and Michael & Alison Lewis and 3 grandchildren, Dalton, Carson and Anna-Lin. Susan has been a dedicated member of Mt. Harmony Baptist Church for more 56 years and served as the Administrative Assistant for 24 years until her retirement in 2020.

Evelyn Moore, Visitation Hostess

Evelyn Moore has been a Visitation Hostess with us at Davis-Strumpf for 17 years, and she enjoys helping our families. She has been married to the love of her life, Freeman Moore, for 61 years. She has 3 children, 6 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. She is a devout Christian and has attended church at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church for over 61 years. Her hobbies include reading, baking, and sewing.

Ryan Jennings, Funeral Director

Ryan began working with us at Davis-Struempf in 2005. He received his license in 2008 and was a valuable part of our team until 2021. Ryan now works in the Cyber Security field, but helps us as needed. He lives in Acworth with his wife, two children, and dog.

Lee Reid, Funeral Assistant

Lee Reid has lived the Cobb and Paulding areas most of his life. Previous to coming on staff at Davis-Struempf, he worked for many years and honed his craft as a machinist at Wither’s Tool and Die. He now works part-time for Davis-Struempf and part-time as a CNC training instructor for lathe and mills. His hobbies include flying drones, hunting, fishing, riding motorcycles, and walking his adorable dog, Nosey. Lee is a member of Macland Baptist Church.

Bill & Betty Rorie, Chaplain & Visitation Host

Gene Thomas, In Memory

Gene was a life long resident of Austell and worked with us for over 15 years. He is married to Jane and they have several children and grandchildren. Gene passed away April 21, 2024.