Our Staff

Josh is the owner of Appalachian Legacy Funeral Services, LLC and a licensed funeral director and embalmer. Josh is a native of Ashe County. He graduated from Ashe County High School, attended Wilkes Community College  and graduated from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. Working with the community is very important to Josh as he is involved with various local civic organizations: Past President of The Rotary Club of Ashe County,  Ashe Masonic Lodge #594, Oasis Shriners, and the Ashe Shrine Club. Josh also serves on the Board of Directors for the Ashe County Chamber of Commerce,  Ashe County Children's Endowment, a member of the Board of Trustees for Wilkes Community College and was elected in November, 2020 to the Ashe County Board of Education. Being active in the funeral profession, Josh has served as District 10 Director of the NC Funeral Director's Association. He is a member of Union Baptist Church in Lansing, NC. He is the son of Tim and Roxann Rhodes Roten of Lansing, grandson of Lena Sexton Rhodes, the late Gilbert Rhodes and  Ilene Lewis Roten and the late J.B. "John" Roten. Josh is married to Holly M. Roten, a former Literary Specialist at Mountain View Elementary School and they have a daughter, Lila Katherine, son, Lawson Kendrick and a daughter, Lena Kaye.  Josh views his occupation as a calling and pledges to serve each family with the utmost care and compassion.

Autumn is a native of Ashe County. She is a graduate of Ashe County High School. Autumn has attended, Wilkes Community College, as well as East Tennessee State University. She began her career in funeral service while in high school and returned following her time at ETSU. Autumn obtained a funeral directing degree from Fayetteville Technical Community College and received her Funeral Directors license in Spring of 2022.

Herb has been a resident of Ashe County since 1975. He has been involved with the funeral business since 1998. He is a licensed funeral director and licensed agent with Forethought Life Insurance Co. His primary responsibility with Badger and Ashelawn is in the area of advanced funeral planning. Herb is also currently serving as pastor of Grace Covenant Community Church in Jefferson, NC. He is married to Tammy Davis of Lansing and has four children and one grandson.

Allen is an Alleghany County native who joined the staff of Appalachian Legacy Funeral Services, LLC. in August 2017. He is a graduate of Alleghany High School of the class of 2006. Allen then attended Fayetteville Technical Community College where he earned his Associate’s in Applied Science in Funeral Service Education in May of 2009. Allen is a licensed embalmer and funeral director in the state of North Carolina. Allen announced his calling to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in April of 2015. He was ordained to the title of Elder on November 14, 2015. Allen is also a member and Past Master of Sparta Masonic Lodge #423. He is also a member of Piney Creek Masonic Lodge # 432 and the North Wilkesboro York Rite Masonic Bodies. Allen is married to his wife Ashely.

Renita Roten is a native of Ashe County. She is a graduate of Northwest Ashe High School. She has been employed with us since 2000 as an administrative assistant. She resides in West Jefferson with her husband, Danny.  She has two children, Brian and Ashleigh. She attends Obids Baptist Church in West Jefferson.

Melissa has been employed with us since 2004 as an administrative assistant. She is a native of Ashe County and a graduate of Northwest Ashe High School. She resides in Lansing with her husband, Scott and son, Justin. She attends North Beaver Baptist Church in West Jefferson.

Jeff is a native of Ashe County and graduated from Northwest Ashe High School. He has worked in funeral service since 2004 and has been employed with us since 2013 as a funeral and cemetery assistant. Currently, he serves as the Chief of the Lansing Volunteer Fire Department and is a member of the West Jefferson Church of Christ. His care and compassion make him a valuable addition to our staff. Jeff and his wife Becky reside in Lansing.

Lloyd is a native of Ashe County. He is a graduate of Ashe Central High School. Lloyd has been employed with us since 2001 as a funeral assistant. Lloyd has been a minister since 1971 and serves as pastor of Sturgills Baptist Church in Lansing. Lloyd and his wife, Letha reside in West Jefferson.

Jim has lived in Ashe County most of his life. He is a graduate of Northwest Ashe High School. Jim has been employed with us since 1993 as a funeral assistant. Jim has been a minister since 1977 and is the former pastor of Sugar Tree Baptist Church in Warrensville. Jim and his wife Judy reside in Warrensville.

Walter has been with us since July 2007 as part of our cemetery maintenance team. He and his wife, Bonnie reside in Warrensville and have two children and two grandchildren. He is a member of Pine Grove Baptist Church where he serves as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, and the church clerk.

Junior has been with us since 2011 as a part-time funeral assistant. As a veteran of Vietnam, Junior is a member of American Legion Post #275, Disabled American Veterans Post #80, and Veterans of Foreign War Post #794. Before retirement, he was Sheriff of Radford City, Virginia. Junior and his wife, Joyce Cox Taylor and son, Jody reside in Jefferson and are members of Smethport United Methodist Church.

Kermit was a native of Ashe County and has been with us since 2003 as a part-time funeral assistant. He was a member and Past Commander of American Legion Post #275 in Lansing. He was a member of Sturgills Baptist Church.

On August 25, 2022, "His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord." Matthew 25:23

Gionia was a member of the Badger Family, and has been connected with funeral service all of her life. She was a part-time office associate and one of the founding member of Mount Jefferson Presbyterian Church. She was the matriarch of the Badger Family and a wealth of knowledge. At the age of 99 she retired from part time work but still maintained in close touch with the funeral home.

On June 17, 2019 Mrs. Cook passed unto  "The undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveller returns."

Randy had been with us since 2015 as a part-time funeral assistant. As a veteran of Vietnam, retired from the U.S. Army in 2001. After retirement from the Army, Randy, in 2005 started work with the West Jefferson Police Department retiring there in July 2015. He was a member of American Legion Post #275, Association of Retired Government Employees, and Association of Law Enforcement. Randy was a devoted husband, father and friend.

On August 15, 2017, God's finger touched him, and he traveled to that undiscovered country from whose born, no traveler return