Staff
Our dedicated staff members are here to provide support, compassion, and information to help you through your journey of grief and the celebration of your loved one’s life.
Erin Whitaker is the 3rd generation to join the family business, and has been with Whitaker Funeral Home since 2007. She is a licensed funeral director and embalmer and a Certified Crematory Operator. Prior to joining the staff at Whitaker Funeral Home, Erin worked as a chemical engineer and project manager for the Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester, NY and Windsor, CO.
Erin received her Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and her International Masters of Business Administration from the University of South Carolina, Moore School of Business. She is a graduate of the Piedmont Technical College, School of Funeral Service. Erin is also certified as a Blackbelt in Six Sigma Methodology.
She has served on the board of the Cremation Association of North America, the Advisory Board of Funeral Service at Piedmont Technical College and the board of the Chapin Chamber of Commerce.
Erin is a member of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. She loves music and anything outdoors. She is also an avid runner, and you are likely to see she and "Lily", her rescued border collie, out enjoying a run together around Newberry.
Justin has been a Licensed Funeral Director /Embalmer for more than 20 years and is licensed in both South Carolina and Florida. He is also a Certified Crematory Operator.
In his career, he has been an owner/operator of a multi location funeral home and cemetery company as well as an executive for a large national company. Over the last few years, he has enjoyed making Newberry and Chapin home, and has embraced the opportunity to return to his passion of helping families prepare for and walk through the most difficult days of their lives.
An avid musician and event planning specialist, he is driven by helping families create expreiences that are unique and personal. He often says, "There is no cookie-cutter life, so there should be no cookie-cutter funeral tribute."
Justin is married to Erin Whitaker, and together they are proud to continue the Whitaker family legacy of serving in the Midlands of South Carolina. He is the proud Dad of Jacob, who was recently married to Mia, and Joshua, who graduates high school this year.
Justin enjoys playing guitar, singing, hunting, and spending time on Lake Murray in his boat.
Doggett Whitaker has been a South Carolina Board Certified licensed funeral director and embalmer since 1971. He is also a S.C. licensed pre-need life insurance agent.
Doggett Whitaker is a 1965 graduate of Newberry High School and received his Bachelor of Science Degree from North Carolina State University. He is a graduate of the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science.
Doggett is a Past President of the South Carolina Funeral Directors Association and Past President of the National Funeral Directors Association, a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner, a Certified Preplanning Consultant, a charter member of the Academy of Funeral Service Practice, and a member of the Heritage Club. He also served as the U.S.A. member of the General Council of FIAT-IFTA.
Doggett is a member of The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer and over the years has served on numerous committees including Chairman of the Congregational Council. He is actively involved in his community and is a member of the Newberry Lions Club, Newberry York Rite Bodies, Hejaz Shrine Temple, and is a Life member of Amity Masonic Lodge #87 AFM. He is an active member of both the Newberry and Chapin Chamber of Commerce.
He is married to the former Christie Crowder, the father of four daughters, and grandfather of five.
Christie is a native of Newberry, South Carolina having grown up in the Bush River section. She received her undergraduate degree from Newberry College and her Master of Social Work from the University of South Carolina. She has completed additional course work in a number of areas including critical incident stress management and mass fatalities incident response courses.
Christie is a licensed funeral director and has been involved in funeral service since 1970.
She has been actively involved in her community and state and has served on a number of local, state and national Boards. She is a member of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer.
She is married to R. Doggett Whitaker, is the mother of four daughters and grandmother of five grandchildren.
Huger Caughman is a Certified Funeral Service Practicioner (CFSP), and has been a S. C. board certified licensed embalmer and funeral director since acquiring his license in 1978.
Huger is a graduate of Dreher High School in Columbia, SC and the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science.
He is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, of the Academy of Funeral Service Practice, and of the Heritage Club.
Huger is a member of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. He is actively involved in his community and is a member of Amity Masonic Lodge, Newberry York Rite Bodies, Hejaz Shine Temple and an honorary member of the Newberry Fire Department.
He is married and the father of a son and a daughter.
Arthur T. Staniec was born in Chicago, IL. He attended Worsham College of Mortuary Science and received his BA degree from DePaul University. Art served as a funeral director and embalmer in his family funeral home in Chicago for 40 years. When the business closed in 2015, he moved to Blythewood, SC. He joined the Whitaker staff in April of 2015.
He is a member of Sandhills Community Church in Columbia.
Art is married to Frances (Hollerbach) Staniec and is the father of 2 sons and grandfather of 2 grandchildren.
