Who We Are

We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.

When we sit down with a family, we have just one goal: to create a fitting, memorable and affordable service for their loved one. Together, we explore the wide variety of services and products available, as well as a wealth of creative ideas and suggestions.

Together, we'll design a memorial or funeral service that suits their needs now, and in the future. Families who come to us know that years from now, they will have deep peace-of-mind because in coming to us, they've done their best to honor their loved one.

• Our History

In March of 2003, Ted and Amy Guerry opened the doors of a newly constructed funeral home, built on the grounds of Forest Lawn Cemetery. Today they are the leading funeral home in Lake City, for many very good reasons.

Our staff members are professional, as well as very kind and courteous. Each does an excellent job in the way they conduct themselves during the course of serving those families who choose to use us, as well when serving the needs of those that attended services for other members of the community.

Many times, these guests make the decision to either use us when the time comes or opt to plan ahead with us due to the impression that was made during their interaction with us.

Our facilities offer unparalleled convenience. After all, we offer families a funeral home, perpetual care cemetery, and crematory at one location. Many who visit tell us there is beauty in both the architecture and the surroundings.

Our years of experience. Ted Guerry, Sr, the owner and visionary of Gateway-Forest Lawn has been active in the funeral and cemetery business since 1958 and a funeral director since April of 1962. Couple his 53 years of experience with those of his staff members, and you’ve got the foundation of excellence in funeral care.

• Our Valued Staff

  • 
    Ted Guerry Sr, Funeral Director/Owner

    Ted is a native of Columbia County and is a second generation funeral director. He is a graduate of Dallas Institute College of Mortuary Science and his career in the funeral business has spanned several decades. He has owned and operated Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Lake City since 1984.
    
    Ted is married to the former Amy Barnette, who is president of Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery and is associated with Gateway-Forest Lawn Funeral Home as the Advance Planning Counselor. He also has two children, Ted L. Guerry, Jr. and Paige Bunch. He is a member of the Lake City Elks Lodge, a past president of the Lake City Jaycees and has been active in many civic organizations over the past years.
  • 
    Amy Guerry, President Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery / Advance Planning Counselor

    Amy is the wife of Ted L. Guerry, Sr., L.F.D., and owner of Gateway-Forest Lawn. She is the Advance Planning Counselor for the funeral home as well as the president of Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
    
    Amy has been working in the funeral home/cemetery business since 1989 and had previously worked for the Social Security Administration for 18 years. A native of Abbeville, Alabama, Amy has been a resident of Lake City since 1986.
  • 
    Brad Wheeler, Funeral Director

    Brad is a lifelong resident of Lake City spanning back several generations. A Columbia High School Graduate and Lake City Community College Graduate, Brad graduated from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Atlanta, Georgia with high honors and was a member of the Pi Sigma Eta National Morticians Fraternity. He is married to the former Lorrie Cason from Lake City and they have four children, Holly, Haley, B.J., and Hanna.
    
    Brad is very involved in his community and Church. He is currently in the Kiwanis Club (past board member), Suwannee River Chapter of Ducks Unlimited, Board of Directors of the Christian Service Center of Columbia County, and is a board member of the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce.
  • 
    James Curry, Funeral Director

    James has been serving the families of Columbia County since 2002. James is a graduate of Baker County High School in 1987, and John A. Gupton Mortuary College in Nashville, Tennessee in 2000. He enjoys fishing and hunting, and spending time with his five children, and is married to Shannon Curry, L.F.D.