Our Staff

After graduating from Auburn University in 1993, Lance began his professional career with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM). He later moved to a position with Westinghouse Government and Environmental Services, working at the Anniston Army Depot. In 2000, he joined his wife’s family business, Vance Memorial Chapel. He worked closely with Mr. Lesley Vance in opening a new Columbus Chapel in 2002, and they changed the name to Vance Brooks Funeral Home. After Mr. Vance died in 2017, Lance and his wife, Carmen, acquired the Phenix City Chapel and changed the name to Vance Brooks Funeral Home.

Lance believes strongly in community involvement which is demonstrated by his involvement in the Phenix City Rotary Club, the Phenix City Exchange Club, serving as a board member of the East Alabama Chamber, a board member of the CVCC Foundation Board, and a board member of Columbus Hospice. Lance and Carmen have three boys, Jake, Jared, and James. They are long-time members of Epworth United Methodist Church. Lance carries on the tradition instilled in him by Mr. Vance, to treat everyone like family.

Carmen Brooks is a co-owner in both the Phenix City, AL Chapel and Columbus, GA Chapel locations of Vance Brooks Funeral Home.  Being a family-owned business, everyone in the family has to do their part.  She started working in the funeral home at age 13.  During her tenure in the funeral industry, she heard the same message from Mr. Lesley Vance, to treat everyone like family.  Now that Carmen is involved in every facet of the business, she strives to continue the legacy that Mr. Vance started in the early 70s.  Carmen is married to Lance Brooks and has three sons, Jake, Jared, and James.  Other than spending time with her family, her passion is traveling and experiencing new cultures.

Barbara Jean Melton has served this funeral home and the Phenix City community for over 30 years. She was in nursing with Dr. Norman Luton, Sr. for 30 years until his retirement and has continued as a nurse in the Phenix City area. Barbara is a longtime member of Lakewood Baptist Church. She is married to George Huff Melton, Jr. and they have one daughter, Janet Gresham (Jernigan), and one granddaughter, Dr. Helen Lee Gresham Miles (Graham).

Charles was born in Bisbee, Arizona, and spent his childhood in Miracle Valley (Hereford), Arizona. He married the love of his life and moved to Phenix City in 1988. He joined the Vance Brooks Funeral Home team in 2013 and began serving the families of the surrounding area. He is currently serving his apprenticeship while earning his degree in mortuary science from Jefferson State Community College in Birmingham, Alabama. Charles enjoys spending time with his family and four grandchildren. His hobbies include working in the yard and caring for his many parrots.

Harold has been working at Vance-Brooks since November 2019. Born in Crenshaw County, Alabama, he has been a resident of this area since graduating from Auburn University. Harold is a retired teacher, having taught vocational/agricultural classes at Smiths Station High School for 33 years. He is an active member of the Gideons, International and a member of Concord Baptist Church in Bleeker. He has been married for 31 years to his wife, Sherryl. They have three grown children and two granddaughters. Harold enjoys hunting and other outdoor activities.

Jeana retired from the Georgia Department of Human Services in 2018 after 30 years of service. She is a graduate of Manchester High School and Columbus Technical College. Jeana joined the Vance Brooks team in 2019. She is married with three children, and in her spare time, Jeana enjoys reading and going to the beach.

Jeff H. Proffitt has served as a funeral director and embalmer at Vance Brooks Funeral Homes & Cremation Service since 2004. Jeff is a funeral director and Embalmer licensed in Georgia and Alabama.

Jeff received a Funeral Service Degree from Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science.

Michael Holbrook has been a member of the Vance-Brooks family since 2018. He served in the U.S. Army before joining our team, where he attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Originally from the state of Washington, Michael, his lovely wife, Sarah, and their two beautiful daughters are proud to call the East Alabama region their forever home.

Pat is a native of Columbus and is now a resident of Harris County, Pine Mountain Valley, GA. He retired from Callaway Gardens in 2007 after 30+ years as Sales/Conference Services coordinator for The Callaway Gardens School of Needle Arts. He enjoys cooking, Southern Gospel Music, and being home.

Ricky was raised in Phenix City and graduated from Central High School. After working 30 + years with Flowers Foods and part-time in the Ministry, he felt the call to go into the Ministry full-time. Ricky is the Pastor of Grace Free Will Baptist Church and currently serves as a moderator for The Twin Cities FWB Association. Ricky and his wife, Robin have one daughter, Jennifer Kennefick (Dan), and two grandsons, Caleb & Cason.

Rodney Brown has served in Funeral Service for over 25 years. He earned his BBA in Small Business from LaGrange College in LaGrange, GA, and his Associate of Science in Funeral Service from Jefferson State Community College in Birmingham, AL. Rodney is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in Georgia and Alabama and is a Certified Cremationist. He truly can say he loves what he does, serving families in their time of need, as this is his calling and passion.

Rodney is married to Gina Brown, and they live in Phenix City, AL. They are originally from Georgia. They have three children and two grandchildren.

Roger is a Native of Phenix City/Russell County. Prior to the funeral business, he served and retired from the Phenix City Police Department at the rank of Captain. Roger joined the staff of Vance Brooks Funeral Home 11 years ago and currently serves as our Pre-Need Family Services Counselor. Roger is a licensed Funeral Director and also possesses an insurance license in the state of Alabama and Georgia. Roger is married to his wife, Donna and they have two adult children: Allen Newman and his wife, Ashley, and Heather Gilbert and her husband, Dave. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his three beautiful grandchildren. Roger is also a musician in the Eastwind Bluegrass Band and the Seekers Quartet. Roger is a charter member of The Way Church in Smiths Station and believes his service to our Vance Brooks families is God’s ministry for him.

Vicki joined the Vance Brooks family in 2018 after retiring from the Muscogee County School District where she taught chorus, piano, and general music for 30 years. She and her husband, Tommy, have worked in several church ministries throughout their 32 years of marriage and currently attend Cornerstone Church of God where Tommy serves as Lead Pastor. Vicki and Tommy have a daughter and son-in-law who live in Columbus and a son who is in college.

After high school, Will began a career with the U.S. Air Force where he served for over 23 years. Working in Air Force hospitals, one of his responsibilities, while stationed in Mississippi, was death protocol, where he assisted families when a death occurred. From this, he knew God was calling him to help families in the funeral industry once he retired. After he retired from the military in 1998, he became licensed as a Funeral Director in Alabama and began working full-time.

Since 1998, Will has served families as a Co-Owner, Manager, Funeral Director, and Embalmer in Mobile, Alabama, Columbus, Georgia, and Phenix City, Alabama. He is a graduate of the Community College of the Air Force (Health Administration) and Jefferson State Community College (Mortuary Science), and obtained his National Board certification in 2002, being licensed in both Alabama and Georgia. Will has two sons, Justin and Adam; and a daughter, Robyn. He is an active member of Grace Freewill Baptist Church, a former member of the Columbus Exchange Club, and VFW Post 12110, Columbus, Georgia. When not working, he enjoys car shows, riding motorcycles, and playing golf.