J. Wells Greeley

Funeral Director Emeritus and Funeral Service Licensee FSL #775

J. Wells Greeley is a native and life-long resident of Haywood County. He is a 1970 graduate of Pisgah High School in Canton. He received a full athletic scholarship to play football for the University of Minnesota, from which he graduated in 1975 earning a BS Degree in Mortuary Science. He joined his family-owned funeral establishment in 1975 and is past- owner and President of Wells Funeral Homes & Cremation Services. In his tenure of employment and ownership, the family business has expanded to two locations and also is co-owner of Cremation Services of WNC, LLC. Wells is active in many civic affairs and is a member of First United Methodist Church of Waynesville. He is married to Kathryn C. Greeley and has two children, Jennifer Wells Greeley Jacobson and James Alexander "Alex" Greeley.

Ryan Jacobson

General Manager FSL #2640

Ryan is a native of Brighton, Michigan, but has spent the majority of his life in North Carolina. He graduated Cum Laude in 2003 from N. C. State University with a degree in Business Management concentration human resources. He is also a 2004 graduate of Fayetteville Technical Community College with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Funeral Service. He is married to Jennifer Greeley Jacobson and resides in Clyde, NC.  "It is my duty to serve each family with dignity, compassion and sincerity.  Every individual that is entrusted into our care deserves to be remembered, no matter the scale". Ryan is a member of Long's Chapel United Methodist Church and currently sits on the Leadership Counsel.  He's been a supporter of the Big Brothers / Big Sisters Program of WNC and is the three time president of Canton Lion's Club. He also enjoys golfing, exercising and spending time with friends and family. He and his wife Jennifer have a son, Wells.

Don Cooper

General Manager FSL#1364

Don is a native of Fayetteville, North Carolina. He is a 1983 graduate of Fayetteville Technical Community College with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Funeral Service. He began his career in funeral service in 1979 and became licensed in North Carolina as a Funeral Director/Embalmer in 1983. Don is a member and past President of the Canton Lions Club and has also served as a past officer of the Canton Papertown Association. He is a former member of the Haywood County Schools Board of Education and a past member of the Haywood County Schools Foundation. He is also a Volunteer Mentor with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Western North Carolina. Don first joined Wells Funeral Homes in 1983 and currently serves as Director of Funeral Service Operations.

Joseph Sellars

Funeral Service Licensee FSL #2018

Joseph is a life-long resident of Haywood County and a 1982 graduate of Pisgah High School in Canton, NC. He graduated from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in 1995 and has been associated with the funeral service industry since 1989. He has been a volunteer with the Canton Fire Department since 1983 and has also served with many civic organizations in Haywood County. He was a past member of the Canton Kiwanis Club from 1982 until 1999, serving as President for two terms, Vice-President for two terms, Secretary and Board of Directors. While a member of the Kiwanis, he also served as Lt. Governor for the Division of the Carolinas District of Kiwanis International and was the Carolinas Kiwanis Key Club Zone Chairperson for four years. He and his wife Patti have one daughter Makayla. Joe realizes the importance of a loving and caring family and this attribute carries over to the families he serves.

Daniel R. Pottinger, Jr.

Funeral Service Licensee FSL #1979

Dan is a second-generation funeral service licensee who has resided in Haywood County since 1992. He and his wife, Stacey, have a daughter, Courtney, and a son, Zack. Dan enjoys many outdoor activities. Dan is a Mason and Shriner. Dan first joined Wells Funeral Homes in 1999 and currently serves as Manager of the Waynesville location. Dan believes it is important to be compassionate, understanding, and show attention to every detail when serving families.

Jennifer Wells Greeley Jacobson

Funeral Service Licensee FSL #2659

Jennifer is a native of Haywood County, NC and currently resides in Clyde. She is married to Ryan Michael Jacobson. She attended and graduated from N. C. State University with a B. S. Degree in Business Management and the University of Minnesota with a B. S. Degree in Mortuary Science.  Her love of funeral service comes from being able to help and serve families in their time of need. Jennifer is a member of Long's Chapel United Methodist Church. In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys running, swimming and biking and participating in triathlons. She and her husband Ryan have a son, Wells Patrick Jacobson, born December 7, 2011.

Dave Brening

Funeral Director Emeritus FSL#3064

Dave is a native of the Midwest, including Port Huron, Michigan, Marion, Indiana, and Rockford, Illinois. He and his wife recently relocated to Waynesville and have two sons finishing high school and a daughter attending college in Indiana. He graduated from Rock Valley College in 1974, George Williams College/Aurora University in 1976with a degree in Psychology and from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 1980. For more than 30 years, Dave has served families in the funeral industry. His recognition of individual needs and attention to detail have supported many during their grief journey. Prior to funeral services, Dave was a director for the YMCA. His interests include bicycling, traveling, and fishing. He has been actively involved in United Methodist Men and looks forward to establishing his home in Western North Carolina.

Erin Touchet

Funeral Service Licensee

Jensen Leger

Funeral Service Licensee

Naomi Reece Henderson

Canton Office Manager

Naomi is a native and lifelong resident of Haywood County, N.C. She was a 1970 graduate of Pisgah High School and a 1971 graduate of Continental Hair Styling Academy. Naomi is the pianist for her church and secretary/treasurer for the ladies auxiliary. She is married to Curt Henderson and has three children and the loves of her life are her six grandchildren. Naomi's compassion for people who are in grief and the way that she love to help people whenever and however that she can; makes her an asset to funeral service.

Jean Messer-Evans

Waynesville Office Manager

Jean is a Haywood County native and was a 1978 graduate of Tuscola High School. She was employed in the banking industry for 25 years. Jean was past President of the Waynesville Lions Club, and served as an EMT-D with the Crabtree Iron Duff Volunteer Fire Department. While living in Georgia she was past President and very active in the Appalachian Children’s Advocacy Center. Jean enjoys fly fishing and spending time at the lake with her husband, Ronnie Evans.  She also enjoys spending time with her daughter, Amanda Greene and three grandchildren, Colby, Ethan and Caitlyn Traber.

Angie Leatherwood

Event Center Coordinator

Angie is a native of Haywood County and a 1978 graduate of Tuscola High School. She attended East Tennessee State University and is a member of Long’s Chapel United Methodist Church. Prior to joining Wells Events & Reception Center, Angie was employed in the Haywood County School System at Jonathan Valley Elementary for 13 years as a Kindergarten and 1st grade Teacher Assistant. She received her hospitality experience during her 16 years with The Swag Country Inn in Dining Services and as Assistant Innkeeper. Angie enjoys working with the Haywood County community to assure them their event will be just as they envision. She’s dedicated and committed to those she works with during an event and knows that attention to detail makes each event special. Whether she’s coordinating a funeral reception or meal for a bereaved family, or a life celebration such as a birthday party, wedding reception, anniversary, class reunion or training seminar, she works diligently to coordinate each event from beginning to end. Angie and her husband, Troy, make their home on their family farm in the Jonathan Creek area. Their daughter, Erin Henson lives in Atlanta. In her spare time, Angie enjoys time with family and friends, cooking, gardening, outdoor activities, Clemson football and front porch relaxing.

Carolyn Anderson

Office Administrator

Bruce Bowman

Funeral Assistant

Jane Bowman

Office Administrator

Beth Carlisle

Office Administrator and Payroll Specialist

Kevin P. Mukosiej

Pre-Need Funeral Director

Kevin came to the Wells Funeral and Cremation in March of 2020. Growing up in Candler he graduated from Enka High School before going on to pursue a career in funeral service. Kevin is a graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Decatur, GA. He received his North Carolina funeral service license in August of 2010.

He currently attends St. Barnabas Roman Catholic Church and is a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #8923. In his off time, he enjoys spending time with his friends, family and his dog, Murphy.

Lonnie Hipps

Funeral Service Assistant

Lonnie is a native of Haywood County and has been associated with Wells Funeral Homes since 1985. He is past Choir Director for Crestview Baptist Church and his love of gospel music and song has enabled him to use his talents to minister to the needs of the families we serve.

Deroy Shuler

Funeral Assistant

Roy Haynes

Funeral Assistant

Terry Scroggs

Funeral Assistant

Vernon Russell

Funeral Assistant

Jean Walker

Visitation Staff

Pat Howell

Visitation Staff

Sandy Denman

Visitation Staff

Brenda Hipps

Visitation Staff

Carol Barton

Funeral Assistant/Visitation Staff

Kate Holland-Lovin

Visitation Staff

Robin Henson

Office Admin/Visitation Staff