Gordon Rhoden, Sr., CFSP
Owner/Operator
Email: [emailprotected]
Gordon L. Rhoden, Sr, CFSP, grew up in the Doctor’s Creek Community of Colleton County and attended the public schools in Walterboro. A 1966 graduate of Walterboro High School, Gordon served his two year apprenticeship at Dunbar Funeral Home in Columbia. After his apprenticeship was completed, he and his wife Brenda lived in Cincinnati, Ohio for two years while he attended the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, graduating in 1970. Upon graduation, he and Brenda returned to Columbia and, once again, enjoyed a productive association with Dunbar Funeral Home until 1975 when he learned that Peeples-Holland Funeral Home was in need of a manager after the untimely death of the co-owner, Jimmy Holland. He was offered, and accepted the position, and they began their move to Hampton. In the ensuing 33 years Gordon purchased and is now, along with his wife, the sole owner of Peeples-Rhoden Funeral Home, Inc. in Hampton. Gordon is a member and Past President of the South Carolina Funeral Directors Association. In 1978, he was elected to the position of Hampton County Coroner and served in that capacity for 32 years making him the 3rd longest serving coroner in South Carolina. He was a Past Vice President of the South Carolina Coroner’s Association. Gordon served his country in the United States Marine Corp and was for many years a member of the SC National Guard in Hampton. He is presently a member of the American Legion Post 108 in Hampton, is an Advisory Board Member of BB&T in Hampton, and a past member of the Hampton Lions Club as well as being a member and former Deacon of Hampton First Baptist Church in Hampton. He and Brenda were blessed with three wonderful children, Lee Rhoden, Lori Rhoden Bowen and Ryan Rhoden Brunson and 7 grandchildren, Gretchen, Cress and Emmie Rhoden, Grant Ewing and Olivia, Emma Clare and Sims Brunson.
Brenda Rhoden
Owner/Operator
Brenda R. Rhoden is co-owner of Peeples-Rhoden Funeral Home, Inc. in Hampton. Brenda was born in Laurens County, SC and grew up in Newberry. She and Gordon were married in 1968. For many years, she was a stay at home wife and mother, devoting the majority of her time to her husband and to her children as they grew up. After their youngest child entered school, Brenda was employed with Hampton County Bank, now BB&T for a number of years. In 1992 when the secretary at Peeples-Rhoden Funeral Home retired after many years of service, she assumed that responsibility until her retirement. Brenda has been a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority in Hampton for over 30 years serving as President several times, is a member of The Other Book Club, and the Magnolia Garden Club. She is a member of Hampton First Baptist Church where she previously served as a Sunday School Teacher and has held many leadership roles in GA’s and Mission Friends.
Lee Rhoden
Funeral Director/Embalmer
Lee Rhoden Phone: (843) 549-5081 Cell: (843) 908-2588 Lee Rhoden Lee was born March 23, 1969 a son of Gordon L. Rhoden Sr., and Brenda Rice Rhoden. He is a 1987 graduate of Wade Hampton High School, and a 1991 Graduate of The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, where he received a BA Degree in History. During the four years he was a cadet at The Citadel, he was a member of OSCAR Company, and held the ranks of Corporal, Sergeant, and Platoon Sergeant. He served on the training Cadre for two years, and was a member of the Dean's List. He attained the rank of Cadet 2nd Lieutenant his senior year and served as Platoon Leader. Lee then attended Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Atlanta, Georgia. While there, he was a member of Pi Sigma Eta Fraternity. He graduated with an Associate Degree of Funeral Service with the February class of 1992, and was the class Valedictorian. Lee is a former member of the Region IV Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team (DMORT). As a team member, he responded in the recovery and identification efforts following Hurricane Floyd, The World Trade Center (twice),American Airlines Flight 587, the Noble Georgia Cremation Disaster, Hurricane Lili, and Hurricane Katrina. As a part of DMORT, he was also a member of the Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Response Team and The Disaster Portable Morgue Unit (DPMU). Lee is a SC Certified Interior Structural Firefighter, and a nine year veteran of the Varnville Fire Department, where he served as a Lieutenant. Additionally, he served as the Chief Deputy Coroner for Hampton County for ten years. Lee is a former President of the South Carolina State Board of Funeral Service and the SCFDA Central-Coastal Group. He is a former member of the First Baptist Church of Hampton, where he served as a Deacon and member of the Finance Committee. He is a member of The Walterboro Elks Lodge #1988, the NWTF, Ducks Unlimited, The Citadel Brigadier Club, a life member of the Citadel Alumni Association, and a member of the Walterboro Chamber of Commerce. Lee is married to Amy Harrison Rhoden. He has three daughters, Gretchen, Cress, and Emmie and one step-son, Harrison Cook.
Rufus Gibson
Assistant Funeral Director
Rufus Gibson is a native of Hampton County, and has been employed with Peeples-Rhoden Funeral Home since 2002. He began his service with this facility after retiring from Westinghouse with over thirty-eight years of service. A resident of Varnville, Rufus has been a member of the Varnville Fire Department for over fifty years, and currently serves as assistant chief of the department. He is an active member of Rice Patch Christian Church in Islandton. Rufus is married to Frances Sineath Gibson, and they have two children, Theresa and Edwin, as well as four grandchildren.
Preston Altman
Funeral Director/Embalmer Apprentice
Preston Altman is a native of Hampton County and first began work with Peeples-Rhoden Funeral Home at the age of 15. After moving to Greenwood, SC to attend college where he majors in Funeral Services, he has returned to Hampton and rejoined the staff of Peeples-Rhoden in May of 2024. Being set to graduate from mortuary school in July of 2024, he served majority of his funeral service apprenticeship at Blyth Funeral Home in Greenwood while also serving as a part-time Deputy Coroner in Greenwood County. Preston is now completing his apprenticeship in Hampton and is looking forward to serving his home community and surrounding areas soon as a Funeral Director/Embalmer. He is a member of the Hampton County Chamber of Commerce and attends St. Paul and Black Creek Primitive Baptist Churches in Hampton. He also serves the citizens of Hampton County as a Deputy Coroner. Preston is the son of Benji and Kristen Altman of Hampton and the late Samantha Pope. He is proud of his large family and deep Hampton County roots. Preston has a strong passion for serving others and greatly loves Hampton County.
Elisabeth Christie
Funeral Director/Embalmer Apprentice
Elisabeth Christie is a native of McCormick County and began her employment with Peeples-Rhoden Funeral Home and Parker-Rhoden Funeral Home in May of 2024 after moving to Hampton. She previously worked in funeral service in the upstate of South Carolina and Augusta, Georgia. Elisabeth holds a degree in nursing and is set to finish her degree in Funeral Services in December of 2024. She is now completing her funeral service apprenticeship at Peeples-Rhoden and Parker-Rhoden and is eager to serve the Lowcountry area through the funeral home and through community events. Elisabeth is an outgoing person who is always willing to lend a helping hand to others. She is a member of Rehoboth Baptist Church in Edgefield, SC. Elisabeth is daughter of Robbie, who is a retired police officer, and Beth Christie of McCormick. She also has a sister, Margaret Anne Christie Green, and a brother-in-law, Zach, who reside in Gainsville, Georgia. Elisabeth is proud to be in Hampton and is looking forward to her future in funeral service and in our community.
Donna Murdaugh
Administrative Assistant
Donna Murdaugh is a native of Colleton County and has been employed with Peeples-Rhoden Funeral Home in Hampton since August 2023. She has worked over 30 years in customer service in the Lowcountry area. Donna is an active member of Pine Grove Baptist Church No. 1 in Colleton County and is the daughter of Helen Kinard and the late Cassie Murdaugh. She also is the sister of Carl Murdaugh and Gail Murdaugh. Donna brings much experience to Peeples-Rhoden and aids in the day to day operations to best serve families during the difficult time of losing a loved one.
Herman Altman
Funeral Assistant
Herman Altman is a native of Hampton County and has been employed with Peeples-Rhoden Funeral Home since 2014. He began his service with this facility after retiring from the South Carolina Army National Guard with over 34 years of service. He is a resident of Brunson and a member of Sandy Run Baptist Church. He is also a member of the Crocketville Masonic Lodge. Herman is married to Melissa Altman and they have two daughters, Amanda and Christy.
Robert Brown
Funeral Assistant
Robert Brown is a life long resident of Hampton County. He began his service with Peeples-Rhoden Funeral Home in July 2017 after retiring from the National Guard with 35 years of service and 22 years of service with the United States Postal Service.
Robert is a member of Varnville First Baptist Church, American Legion Post 108, Evergreen Lodge 153 and past Chairman of the Hampton County Watermelon Festival.
He is married to Joan Terry Brown. They have two children, Kaye and Kirk, as well as three grandchildren.
Arthur Smith
Grave Technician
Arthur Smith is a native of Hampton County. He has been with our company since 1979. He handles our grave preparation and installs our monuments and coping. He is also responsible for our grounds maintenance. He and his wife Natashia have 5 children and 4 grandchildren.
