Our Staff

Lyle W. Donaldson

President, Owner, Funeral Service Licensee

Lyle  Donaldson is President and Owner of Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory.   He grew up in Pittsboro and is the seventh generation of his family to live in Chatham County.  He is the son of Sara (Cooper) and the late Mark Donaldson. 

Lyle graduated from Greensboro College with a BS in Business Administration and Economics.  After experiencing the loss of his Grandmother while in college, Lyle found himself working a summer job at Hall-Wynne the following two years.  

The desire to help families in their greatest time of need lead him to pursue a career as a Funeral Director.  He enrolled in the Funeral Service Licensee program at Fayetteville Technical Community College and graduated in 2014.  He was fortunate to serve his apprenticeship in Sanford, NC at Bridges-Cameron Funeral Home under the leadership of Mr. Tommy Bridges.   

Lyle has always had the desire to serve the people of Chatham County.  In 2015 he purchased Hall-Wynne Funeral Service in Pittsboro.  With the purchase of the business the funeral home is now once again under local ownership.  

Lyle and his family have been life-long members of Hanks Chapel United Church of Christ in Pittsboro, NC.  In his spare time, he enjoys spending time at the beach, duck hunting, an occasional baseball game, and most outdoor sports.  

In September 2017 Lyle was selected by Department Chair of Funeral Service Education Ronald Montgomery, Jr.  to serve as a Board Member on the Funeral Service Education Advisory Board at Fayetteville Technical Community College.

In October 2018 Lyle and Donaldson Funeral Home & Cremation were asked to serve as a Board/Coalition Member for Chatham-Orange Grief Oasis.  A Grief Support Group in Chapel Hill. 

Lyle is a member of the Masonic Columbus Lodge #102 A.F. & A.M. and a member of Rotary Club of Pittsboro, Chapter #88190 as well as the Chatham Chamber of Commerce. 

Lyle and his new wife Brittany (Barham) Donaldson love to visit the local businesses and restaurants in downtown Pittsboro so please stop them and say hello when you see them.

Telephone: 1-919-542-3057

Email: 

Thomas D. Klopfenstein

Funeral Service Licensee

Tom, a former resident of South Bend, Indiana, now makes his home in beautiful central North Carolina.  He brings over 47 years of funeral service experience to Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory; experience that includes funeral directing, embalming, estate planning, and funeral pre-planning for all types of services.

In 1976, Tom began his career with Forest G. Hay Funeral Home of South Bend.  He attended Indiana University, studying Business and Language Arts, and went onto Indiana College of Mortuary Science, where he graduated with a B.A. degree in 1979.  He is the past president of the St. Joseph County Indiana Funeral Directors Association, the Indiana Funeral Directors Association, the North Carolina Funeral Directors Association, Rotary International, The National Exchange Club, the Men's Christian Association International and was a former docent with the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame.  Tom and his late wife, Susan, were married for 33 years and the couple had two children. In addition, he has two beautiful granddaughters.

Tom's philosophy of funeral service is best expressed in his own words: "I have always wanted to be helpful to others and to serve bereaved families in a supportive, dignified and compassionate manner.  I will seek to continue the fine traditions established by Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory dependably and professionally serving the community by offering affordable traditional funeral and cremation services.  I believe funerals are important as they recognize the dignity and purpose of life and offer us a way to celebrate that life, following the pretext that no one individual is an island alone, rather his or her life touches all of us in a dramatic and profound way.  I consider it a privilege to continue the timeless tradition of the "Funeral."

Telephone: 1-980-833-4251

Email: 

Patt Sturdivant

Licensed Funeral Director

Patt is a native of Chatham County, having grown up in the Bells Community and Bells Baptist Church. After graduating from Northwood High School, she received her BS in Chemistry from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Patt also has an AAS in Respiratory Therapy. Patt joined the Donaldson staff in 2015.  She has worked as part of our administrative team while she obtained her Funeral Director’s License in 2022 from Fayetteville Tech Community College.

Patt retired in 2011 from UNC Hospitals after 30 years of service, with 10 years of service on the Carolina Air Care Team and Director of Anesthesia Support for 20 years. She is married to Terry Sturdivant of the neighboring White Cross community. They have two children, son Blaine and daughter Brittany.  Blaine and his wife Elizabeth (Parks) are of Pittsboro, daughter Brittany (Sturdivant) Phillips and her husband Tanner Phillips are also of Pittsboro. Patt has three grandchildren, Colby and Natalie Sturdivant and Rhett Phillips.

Patt and her husband currently attend New Salem Baptist Church in Pittsboro. They are also very active with Living Free Ministries and the Durham Rescue Mission.

Patt enjoys playing the piano and singing, doing yard work and spending time with the grandchildren. She feels assisting families during the difficult days and weeks following a death of a loved one, is a ministry unto itself.

Telephone: 1-919-542-3057

Email: 

Billy Lewis Griffin (Retired)

Funeral Service Licensee

William L. "Billy Lewis" Griffin, Jr., is a native of Chatham County and resides in Pittsboro. Bill attended UNC-Chapel Hill and is a 1963 graduate of Gupton College of Mortuary Science in Nashville, TN.

Following graduation, he joined his father and uncle in the family business - Griffin Funeral Service in Pittsboro.

After his father's and uncle's deaths in 1973, he became owner/manager until 1997. He then served on a part-time basis until 2010.

Billy Lewis has been a mentor to Lyle Donaldson from the beginning of Lyle serving his apprenticeship at Bridges-Cameron Funeral Home in Sanford, NC. 

Although retired, Billy Lewis continues to help on occasion with funeral services of close friends and relatives.

He is a member of Pittsboro Baptist Church and a member of the Masonic Columbus Lodge 102, AF & AM.

At present Bill is a musician-singer with Front Porch Ministry, a gospel band.

A veteran of the United States Air Force, he is the father of four children Darlene, Daryl, Kathy, and Brian, and grandfather of eight grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.  

Telephone: 1-919-542-3057

Judy Lewter

Funeral Service Assistant/Administration

Judy a native of Chatham County, resident of the Bells Community, and graduated from Pittsboro High School. 

Judy retired from UNC in July 2003 after 31 years. In 2004 she became a tax preparer for H&R Block, retiring in 2019 after 15 years. 

Judy is currently the treasurer for Bells Baptist Church and enjoys baking, needle work, and golfing in her spare time. 

Judy joined our team in 2019 as an Administrative Assistant.  She has truly been an asset to our team, working in the office as well as visitations and funerals. 

Archie Hackney

Funeral Service Assistant

Archie L. Hackney is a native of Chatham County and a resident of Pittsboro. Archie has been the owner and operator of Pittsboro Appliance Center for more than 30 years.

Archie served proudly in the U.S. Army in Vietnam.  He is a member of the Joe Wagner VFW Post 7313 and is very active in building a Veterans Memorial in Pittsboro. He joined the Hall-Wynne Funeral Home Pittsboro location in 2013 which later became Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory. 

Archie is married to Peggy (Riddle) Hackney of Pittsboro and they have one son, Donnie Wayne. Archie and his wife are active members of Hanks Chapel United Church of Christ.

Matt McDiarmid

Funeral Service Assistant

Matt joined the Donaldson team in 2023 he was born in Storm Lake, Iowa. His parents moved around so Matt got to experience life growing up in Iowa, Missouri, and Minnesota.  

He and his wife Kimmel McDiarmid have lived 25 yrs in Chatham County. They have two

college graduate daughters, one living in TX south of Houston and one recently moved to Atlanta, Ga.

Matt's mother, Marolyn McDiarmid also lives in the Pittsboro area as well as his sister, Stephanie Lilly,

Matt is a 39 yr. Army veteran. having served as Airborne Infantryman. He has done three tours to the Middle East in 2004, 2009, 2019 and retired Spring 2022. Matt and Kimmel are members of Browns Chapel Methodist Church and try to be active in all aspects of church life. Matt is also a life member of VFW Post 7313 in Pittsboro. Matt loves automotive technology and anything mechanical.  He enjoys construction and fixing anything. He has interest in American History and International affairs. He is always ready to take a road trips to anywhere.

Matt came to us with prior funeral experience by served at Arlington National Cemetery. His service at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier solidified a deep respect for those who have passed before us.

Matt makes a great addition to our team as he wanted to give the families we serve support during the most difficult time.

Tommy Perry

Funeral Service Assistant

Tommy Perry is a native of Chatham County and a life long resident of Pittsboro.  He spent 30 years with the North Carolina Division of Community Corrections and joined the funeral home in 2009 after his retirement.  Tommy also helps drive the bus for Chatham Transit.  He enjoys helping and talking with people.

Tommy, and his wife Kelly, are active members of Pittsboro United Methodist Church.   They are the proud parents of their daughter, Candace Perry.  They are enjoying travelling and when Tommy has time he enjoys reading and watching various sports.

Ken Ellis

Funeral Service Assistant

Ken Ellis is a native of Chatham County and resident of Pittsboro.  Ken is retired from the State of North Carolina.  He and his wife BJ are from the Bynum community and members of New Salem Baptist Church.

Ken is married to Betty Jean (BJ) Council Ellis. They have a daughter, Gidget Jenkins and a son, Wyatt Ellis.  They are the proud grandparents of Brandi Morris, Kasey Jenkins, Angelica Ellis, and Cheyenne Ellis.

Ken joined our team in 2007 and continues to help serve the community by helping work visitations and funeral services.

Kenneth Farrell

Funeral Service Assistant

Kenneth Farrell is a native of Chatham County and resident of Pittsboro. 

Kenneth grew up in Pittsboro and graduated from Northwood High School. 

Kenneth joined our team in 2020 and has been a great asset working visitations and services. 

James Dean

Funeral Service Assistant

James Dean a native of Chatham County,  joined the Donaldson team in 2022.  James retired from UNC Hospital, Police & Parking Department.    He and his wife Kathy Gales Dean are members of the New Salem Baptist Church.   James enjoys his family time with son, Trent Cooper and daughter, Leslee Justice and his three grandchildren. 

James wanted to join the Donaldson team as he enjoys helping people in their time of need.  When time allows he loves to follow UNC football, basketball and baseball.

Debbie Horton

Funeral Service Assistant

Debbie Horton is from the Silk Hope/Crutchfield Crossroads Community.  She grew up in our neighboring County of Wake in what was called the Carpenter Community.  She is a retired human resource manager and she and her sister still are living on and running their family farm.  They raise cattle and also tend to the family peach orchard.  She attends the Rocky River Baptist Church and also is an independent consultant with Thirty One gifts.

Debbie has worked part time for us for over six years when her schedule allows.  She  joined the team as she enjoys working with professional people and helping others.  

Gene Locklear

Funeral Service Assistant

Gene Locklear joined the Donaldson Funeral Home team in 2022 shortly after he and his wife Leitha moved to Pittsboro Christian Village.  Gene served in the US Airforce for 20 years.  He later retired from Scotland County Schools and then began his retirement career in funeral service at Boles Funeral Service in Laurinburg, NC.  Gene serves as the Donaldson Liaison for Pittsboro Christian Village and their residents.   

C. "Shorty" Johnson

Transport Care Team

Dalton Victorino

Transport Care Team

Michael Braxton

Transport Care Team

Allison Trill

Transport Care Team

Nicholas Laponto

Transport Care Team