Our Story
Learn our story, from the beginning and into the future.
While some just see the end of a loved one’s life as a time for grief and mourning, we prefer to think of it as a time for reflection, appreciation and even celebration. This is evident in everything we do, from the way we conduct our services to the amenities we choose to offer. We are family owned funeral home dedicated to honoring, sharing and preserving your amazing and inspirational stories.
Why Us?
Experience, professionalism, compassion, and empathy.

Learn about our legacy.
Since 1932 our funeral home has prided itself as being a leader in service to the families of Columbia. Over the years, Shives Funeral Home has seen the city change and grow, yet our commitment to outstanding service and caring for people has never changed.
The funeral home, built in a beautiful, colonial style, is located near downtown Columbia. Originally founded and operated by the Talbert family, the funeral home was purchased in 1967 by William W. Shives. Mr. Shives continued in the tradition of providing exceptional care for the families of our area, and over the next 30 years, he completed major renovations and additions to the funeral home facility.
Today, the funeral home is owned and operated by E. Randolph Shives III. He, along with the caring and highly experienced funeral home staff, provide the families of the Midlands with dignified and personal funeral services that honor and celebrate the lives of their loved ones.
Who We Are
Meet our staff. Members of the local community make everything that happens possible.
Together, we make this place amazing.

Randolph, a native of Lincolnton, NC, is a 1993 graduate of North Carolina State University and a 1995 graduate of Gupton Jones College of Mortuary Science in Atlanta, GA. After college, he moved to Columbia and joined his uncle and aunt at Shives Funeral Home. Randolph assumed management of the firm in 1999 and ownership in 2012. He is a licensed funeral director and embalmer and a member of the South Carolina Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors Association, as well as the Selected Independent Funeral Homes. Randolph is married to Brandon Davidson Shives of Columbia, owner of Brandon Davidson Interiors. They have two children, Alexander and Eliza Madison. Randolph and his family are members of First Presbyterian Church where he served as Deacon. Additionally, Randolph, an Eagle Scout, is a member of the Executive's Association of Greater Columbia (Board of Director & President ), Rotary Club of Columbia (Board of Directors), St. Andrew's Society of the City of Columbia (Steward), the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, is a past president of Brennen Elementary School Improvement Council, is on the Board of Directors for the Richland County Coroner’s Foundation and Advisory Board of Home Works. You may e-mail Randolph at [email protected]

Bill is a native of Lincolnton, NC where he started working in the funeral profession at Warlick Funeral Home. While attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Bill was drafted into the US Army which led him to Ft. Jackson in Columbia. Following the Korean Conflict, Bill graduated from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science as well as earning a BS in business administration from University of South Carolina. In 1967, Bill purchased Talbert Funeral Home which he operated as Talbert Shives Funeral Home until his retirement in 1999. Since then, Bill has continued to be active in the business. He has resided in Blythewood for nearly 50 years where he and his wife, Barbara, who worked alongside him in the business, are members of Trinity United Methodist Church. Bill has served on the SC Board of Funeral Service, the Transplantation Committee of the American Red Cross for the Southeastern United States, Washington Street United Methodist Church Administration Board, the advisory board of Transport for Christ, member of Blythewood Rotary Club, The Colonel Thomas Taylor Chapter of the Son's of the American Revolution, and The American Legion Post #6.

Joe is a native of Valdosta, GA where he graduated from Valdosta State University. He received his Masters of Divinity from Columbia International University. In 35 years of ministry, Joe served churches in Valdosta, Bamberg, SC and Columbia. For the last 15 years, he worked in pastoral ministries at North Trenholm Baptist Church, especially enjoying his work with senior adults. Prior to joining North Trenholm, Joe was a supervisor with the Lexington County Department of Social Services, specializing in Adult and Child Protective Services. Joe is married to Martha Tucker Copeland of Columbia and they are members of North Trenholm Baptist, where they continue to teach Sunday School classes. They have five grown children: Sam, his wife, Miller; Paul and his wife, Ainhoa; Anna, her husband, Chris and their son, Bender; Andrew; and Caleb. Joe’s life-long focus on helping families will continue as part of the Shives staff, which he joined in January 2015. You may email Joe at [email protected]

Kelcey was born and raised in Horry County, SC and relocated to Columbia with his family in 2018. He attended Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC and John A. Gupton College of Mortuary Science in Nashville, TN. Kelcey has been a South Carolina licensed funeral director/embalmer since 2002 and previously served as an executive committee member and group president for the South Carolina Funeral Directors Association. When he’s not working, you will find him spending time with his wife, Carey Clark Dickinson; son, Andrew Clark Dickinson; and dog, Max. He also enjoys golf, travel, yardwork, and attending sporting events. You may email Kelcey at [email protected]

Born and raised in Superior, MT, Amanda is a first-generation Funeral Director, Embalmer and Certified Cremationist; having made the transition from social services. While attending Piedmont Technical College in 2010, Amanda began serving families in the Midlands with Shives Funeral Home. In 2012, she earned her Associates in Mortuary Science and completed her apprenticeship in 2014.
Amanda enjoys spending time with her family, especially her children Lucas and Emily. She and her family are members of St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Columbia, where Amanda assists in Christian Formation and Outreach programs. You may email Amanda at [email protected]

Andrew, a native of Columbia, is a graduate of the Homeward Bound Education Association, a former student of Christian Studies at North Greenville University, and the funeral service program at Piedmont Technical College. He has served as a pastor’s aid at Temple Baptist Church in Simpsonville, SC and previously provided the Sunday morning service and worship for the Palmettos Assisted Living Facility on Parklane. Andrew has passion for music and dance and devotes his free time to teaching and serving with the Palmetto Swing Dance Association.

Aaron is a Columbia native and a graduate of Dreher High School, the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, and numerous courses from the National Fire Academy. Aaron served in the Mortuary Affairs Section of the U. S. Army doing recovery, identifying and returning our fallen soldiers and served in the Army Reserves for eight years. He owned and operated funeral homes in Denmark, SC, was a partner in McMillan-Small Funeral Home in Myrtle Beach, SC, and has been a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer for over 50 years. Aaron semi-retired in 1997 and returned to his home in Columbia to care for his parents.
Aaron’s second enjoyable profession is being associated with the volunteer and paid Fire Service and serving on committees with the South Carolina State Firefighters' Association.
He married Betty Hilton Small in 1961 and they have two adult children and two grandchildren.
It is a pleasure being on the staff of Shives Funeral Home & Crematorium working with such dedicated and caring professionals.

Robert B. “Bobby” Raines, a native of Blythewood, is the only child of Brian and Donna Boney Raines. Bobby’s roots run deep in Blythewood, where graduated from Blythewood High School. At a very young age, Bobby became interested in pursuing a career in funeral service and took advantage of job shadowing opportunities. He joined the Shives Funeral Home Team in January of 2017, where he worked as a funeral and office assistant before becoming a licensed apprentice. Bobby attends mortuary school while working full time and is a member of the Blythewood Chamber of Commerce. He enjoys spending time with family and friends, as well as being involved with various events and making the most of his time. Bobby attends Village Church in Blythewood and loves to volunteer inside and outside of his community, where he takes pride in being raised in such a small, tight knit area where you seldom meet a stranger. You may email Bobby at [email protected]

Jesse R. Joslin, a native of Sumter, is the youngest son of Scott and Jeanne Joslin. A member of Harmony Church in Sumter, Jesse graduated from Laurence Manning Academy, located in Manning, South Carolina in 2016. He attended the University of South Carolina, before enrolling in the Funeral Service Program at Piedmont Technical College. His passion for Funeral Service began in his hometown of Sumter, before moving to Columbia in November of 2020. Jesse is excited to be working in Columbia while continuing his education and serving his apprenticeship. In his free time, he enjoys playing golf, spending time with friends and family, and watching football. You may email Jesse at [email protected]

Catherine Mabry joined Shives Funeral Home in October of 2017, in the newly developed position of Community Outreach. Catherine is from Charlotte, NC and is married to Hank Mabry. They have two adult children, Cate and Fil.
She graduated from The University of Alabama in 1988 with a BA in Communications. Having been in Columbia for 25 years, she has enjoyed several retail positions in Columbia since her Physician Services days at Palmetto Baptist where she spent several years prior to raising her family.
The Mabry’s attend Eastminster Presbyterian Church, where Catherine serves as Elder, and previously as Deacon, and enjoy an active membership there among many friends. Free time includes visits to Clemson in the fall and time outdoors with their black lab, Retta.
You may email Catherine at [email protected]

Kimberly K. Street Rodriguez, a native of Grundy Virginia, Is the daughter of Dorothy Boardwine Pietras and the late Cecil M. Street. Kimberly is a 1979 Graduate of Grundy Senior High School in Virginia. She was raised in a military family and traveled all over the United States while her father was in service before eventually settling into South Carolina. Kimberly is a member of Sawney’s Creek Baptist Church in Ridgeway and the midlands chapter of Blue Star Mothers. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, being outdoors and helping others. She has a son, TSgt. Zachery A. Rodriguez (Samantha Anne); grandson, Ethan H. Rodriguez; twin sister, Michelle Renee Lamm; and brother, Mike Dye. She joined the Shives team in October of 2018 with over 20 years of Office, Insurance and Funeral Home knowledge. You may email Kimberly at [email protected]

Beth, a Columbia native, graduated from Cardinal Newman High School and the University of South Carolina. She worked for AT&T as an Office Assistant until her retirement in 2012. She and husband Mark have two adult daughters. Beth is a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Her hobbies include reading, gardening, traveling and spending time with friends and family. You may email Beth at [email protected]

Trenholm Buyck Hardison
Read BioTrenholm, a native of St. Matthews, SC, is a 2006 graduate of the University of South Carolina. After graduation, she continued to reside in Columbia working various retail and sales jobs before finally joining Shives Funeral Home as an administrative assistant in 2015. Trenholm is married to Owens Hardison of Orangeburg, SC and they have two children, Loitton and Baylies. She is a member of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Columbia, serves on the Board of Director’s for the Richland County Coroner’s Foundation and is a past member of the Junior League of Columbia. Trenholm’s second enjoyable profession is working with Brandon Shives at Brandon Davidson Interiors. When she isn’t working, Trenholm loves cheering on her Gamecocks at football games and various sporting events as well as spending time with her family and friends at her family’s beach house at Edisto Island. You may e-mail Trenholm at [email protected]

David Crump
Funeral Assistant

Mike was born in Anchorage, Alaska, grew up in Mooresville N.C. and graduated from Mooresville Senior High School. He moved to Columbia in 1978 and received an Associate of Arts degree from Midlands Technical College. After serving as an Air Traffic Controller for the U. S. Navy, Mike spent 25 years in the Automotive Sales Management industry here in Columbia. In his leisure time he enjoys golf and cooking. He, along with his wife Janet and their daughter McKenzie are currently members of Salem United Methodist Church.

Benji was born in Panama and joined the US Army in 1989. After serving in Korea he was discharged at Ft. Jackson and remained here in Columbia. Benji is a member and employee of North Trenholm Baptist Church where he serves as the Director of Facilities and Grounds. He has three children and enjoys playing soccer in his free time.

Caroline Hudson
Funeral Assistant

Tucker Jackson
Funeral Assistant

Ed, a native of Columbia, is a graduate of Dreher High School, Furman University and The School of Banking of The South at LSU. He is retired from a career serving the Greater Columbia area in commercial and mortgage banking. Ed was married to the late Kay Wilson Kennedy of Shelby, NC, prior to her death in 2015. Ed is a member of Shandon Baptist Church, where he has served as Deacon, Stewardship Committee Chairman, and a Sunday School Director and Teacher. His community service has included Division Chairman of the United Way, Chairman of the Richland County Housing Authority, and Membership Chairman of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce. In his leisure time, Ed enjoys reading, sports, spending time with friends and family, and playing golf.

Kenny Mattox, a native of Blythewood, joined Shives Funeral Home in 2012. Kenny’s Blythewood roots run deep, having graduated from Blythewood High School in 1963 and working for Mattox Electric until retirement after 26 years. Kenny, along with his wife, Sheila, and daughter, Hayden, are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ridgeway Ward. He also has two adult children, Carla and Duane, and six grandchildren. When Kenny is not with his family, he spends much of his time volunteering within his community, offering a helping hand to anyone in need.

Harry is a native of Charlotte, N.C where he graduated from Tech High School in 1954. Shortly thereafter he entered the U.S. Marine Corps. Serving in several stateside duty stations and on Okinawa.
He drove vacation tours across the US, Canada, and Mexico and took several groups on ocean cruises.
Harry and his wife Joan moved their young family of four girls and one boy to Columbia in 1972 where Harry became involved in a sales career that lasted more than forty years. He traveled the Southeast serving the textile industry with specialty chemicals and equipment, became a small business owner serving the Columbia area, and retired as store manager of a regional furniture chain.
As an active member of North Trenholm Baptist Church, Harry in 1997, started a Nursing Home/Assisted Living ministry at National Health Care; bringing a weekly worship service to the residents who were unable to attend their home church. This ministry has now evolved into serving six facilities in Northeast Columbia. In 2015 Harry was named National Health Care Volunteer of the year. He is a published author, God Speaks We Listen, 2014.
Leisure time is spent reading, writing and finding ways to help his fellowman.

JoAnn, a Columbia native, graduated from Dentsville High School and went on to attend Columbia Commercial College. For 27 years, she owned and operated Ashley Rose, Inc. She joined Shives Funeral Home in 2012. JoAnn is a member of Killian Baptist Church. Following the death of her first husband, Roger Richardson, JoAnn married Herbert Null. She has one son. When not working, she enjoys shopping and decorating.

Sara Jacobs Peake is a graduate of Dentsville High School and retired from Blue Cross Blue Shield. She also worked at Siebels Bruce for 14 years and is currently employed part time with Shives Funeral Home and Living Springs Lutheran Church Daycare. She is an involved member of Harmony Baptist Church. Sara has two sons, one daughter and two grandsons. In her free time, she enjoys working in her yard and watching sports.

Born at Eglin AFB in Florida, Paul moved from one military base to another until his father retired from the US Air Force. After graduating from Charles B. Aycock High School in Pikeville, NC, he wound up in Columbia, where he attended Midlands Tech and started his banking career. Paul spent almost 30 years in banking, serving the Charlotte area. Upon retirement, he moved back to Columbia with his wife, Cheryl. In his free time, he enjoys riding his bike and doing yard work.

Robert Leonard
Funeral Assistant

Rosie Leonard
Funeral Assistant

Erwin is from Lancaster, South Carolina and had the privilege of growing up in a Christian home where he heard the gospel both in his home and the church. While studying at the University of South Carolina, God transformed his life through the ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru). During this time, he met Roxann on a summer mission project with Cru. They were married right after graduating college. God called them on staff full time with Cru for 21 years, serving in Kentucky, South Carolina, and Russia.
While working with Cru, Erwin completed his Master of Divinity from Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC. He has served in pastoral ministry for the past 10 years, and is an ordained Teaching Elder in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), Palmetto Presbytery.
Erwin is passionate about preaching and teaching God’s word, helping develop leadership within the church by making disciples who make disciples, and encouraging the body of Christ to walk with God for a lifetime.
He is married to his best friend Roxann and God has blessed them with four children.
Erwin enjoys time with family and friends, football, cycling, and riding his motorcycle.

Ree, a native of Columbia, is a graduate of Hammond Academy. He attended and played basketball at Presbyterian College, and graduated from the University of South Carolina. He is retired from a career serving the Greater Columbia area in the savings and loan and supplemental insurance businesses. Ree is married to Bettie Brennen Whitmire of Columbia, and they have two sons; Bo (married to Katie English Henderson of Greenwood, SC) and Cam. Ree and Bettie are members of First Presbyterian Church of Columbia, where Ree has served as a Deacon, Elder, Sunday School counter, girls and boys basketball coach, and chairman of various committees. His community service has included chairing the United Way and Chamber of Commerce, Past President of the Downtown Sertoma Club, and the Palmetto Baseball League. Ree also serves as the Director of the Christian Life Center at Eastminster Presbyterian Church. In his leisure time, Ree enjoys reading, working in his yard, sports, exercising, spending time with his family and friends, as well as playing basketball and golf.

Susan Sturkie has been playing the organ and piano for services at Shives Funeral Home since 1985. Born in Mooresville, NC, Susan graduated from St. Andrews Presbyterian College (now St. Andrews University) in Laurinburg, NC, with a B.M. in Music Education studying both organ and voice. After graduating, she taught elementary school music at Ft. Bragg and Ft. Jackson Dependents Schools. Susan has been Organist at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church since October 1988. She is a member of the American Guild of Organists, the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, and the Association of Lutheran Musicians of SC. Susan serves as Registrar and Membership Chair of the Greater Columbia chapter of the American Guild of Organists and Treasurer of the Association of Lutheran Musicians of SC. Susan and her husband Dick are the parents of one son, Trey.

Amy is a native of Charlotte, NC. Through the process of a job transfer, Amy’s family relocated to Lexington 17 years ago where she and her husband raised their three children and now enjoy spending their free time with their four grandchildren. Amy and her husband, Jim, are members of Radius Church in Lexington and she likes to travel in her spare time. Her favorite hobby is photography and through her travels has enjoyed many sights through the lens of her camera. Amy also enjoys a love of baking cultivated by cooking when her house was filled with her children and their friends. You may email Amy at [email protected]

Jim Long
Funeral Assistant

Tammy Roberts
Funeral Assistant
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