Our Story
Learn our story, from the beginning and into the future.
Ever since we opened our doors we have approached life (and death) differently. 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 not a burial ground. We are a close knit community dedicated to honoring, sharing and preserving the amazing and inspirational stories that are life.
"Experience, professionalism, compassion, and empathy"

We've learned a lot over many years. Like how to present options without overwhelming. And how to meet the needs of many caring parties. People come to us in difficult times, and we respond kindness, calmness and expertise. Our goal is to create a beautiful occasion and make you feel welcome, always. We spend our days planning with families. We stay up to date with industry developments. And we make hard times a little easier.
Learn the legacy.

Holder-Wells Funeral Home
Holder-Wells Funeral Home was founded in 1972. Our current location at 4007 Main Street celebrated it's grand opening November 11, 1973. A contemporary facility, it was designed by founder, George W. Holder and his friend and business partner, Preston Wells.
The building underwent major remodeling in the summer of 1995 and we continually work to maintain a clean, safe facility to serve our friends and neighbors in the Jackson County and surrounding areas. As always, our professionally landscaped grounds are breathtaking and change with each season. We are so very proud of the legacy left to us by our founders George and Mary Holder. Mr. and Mrs. Holder served our local area for many years in funeral service and upon retirement, George Holder alone had over fifty years of funeral service to the state of Mississippi. He served as president of the Mississippi State Board of Funeral Service and was very active in the Mississippi Funeral Directors Associaton for many years. Mr. Holder was a United States Army veteran and was awarded the Bronze Star for his acts of bravery and meritorious service in World War II.
Today we continue to serve Moss Point, Pascagoula, the East Central community, Vancleave, Gautier, Ocean Springs and other surrounding communities with friendship, dependability and excellence in funeral service. Our staff would like to thank you for the trust and confidence you have placed in our funeral home throughout the years. We are very proud to have served this area for forty years and we place great value in the relationships that we have created. We look forward to being here to serve you and your family for many years to come.

Coastal Chapel
Holder Wells Funeral Home on Main Street in downtown Moss Point announces its expansion to northern Jackson County with the acquisition of Coastal Funeral Home, Coastal Cremations, and Serene Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
“One Trusted Name, One Caring Team, Two Convenient Locations” is the new Holder Wells motto. Coastal Funeral Home will be known as Holder Wells Coastal Chapel and Serene Memorial Gardens Cemetery, while the original downtown location of Holder Wells will be known as Holder Wells Main Street Chapel.
Holder-Wells Funeral Home was founded in 1972 by George W. Holder and his friend and business partner, Preston Wells. In its 45 year history, Holder Wells has served over 15,000 families in Jackson County and surrounding areas.
Serene Memorial Gardens Cemetery had its beginnings as a small community cemetery in the 1960’s. In the early 2000’s, Mr. Bill Daniel, a long time cemetery professional, acquired the cemetery and added a crematorium. In late 2007, Mr. Daniel opened Coastal Funeral Home on the grounds of Serene Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Following his death in 2009, the funeral home and cemetery continued to be operated by his family until recently acquired by Holder Wells.
Today, the combined Holder Wells and Serene Memorial Gardens staff includes ; Martha Thompson, LFD; Mike Graham, LFD; Dale Shows, LFD; Lynn Born; Bubba Cunningham, LFD.
With deep roots in Moss Point and Jackson County, our highly trained professional staff continually strives to maintain the trust and confidence placed in our funeral home throughout the years, and plan to be here to serve you and your family for many years to come.
Who We Are
Meet our staff. Members of the local community make everything that happens possible.
Together, we make this place amazing.

Martha Thompson
Funeral Director, Embalmer, and Preneed Sales.
Martha is a seasoned Funeral Director and Embalmer with a wealth of knowledge, compassion, and professionalism. With a career that spans back to 1985 and graduating from the esteemed Dallas Institute of Funeral Service in 1987, Martha has honed her expertise over the years and is recognized as a Master Embalmer. Her unwavering dedication to her profession is evident in her meticulous attention to detail and compassionate approach to serving families during their time of need. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Martha finds joy in spending time with her pets and three adult children. Her caring and empathetic nature extend beyond her work, reflecting her genuine concern for others and her commitment to fostering meaningful connections.
Martha's extensive experience, coupled with her considerate and empathetic approach, make her an invaluable asset to the Funeral Director profession and a trusted resource for families in their time of grief. Her unwavering commitment to providing the highest level of care and service is a testament to her passion and dedication to her craft.

Dale Shows
Funeral Director, Crematory Operator, and Preneed Sales
Dale has been a valued member of Holder-Wells since July 2014, bringing with him a deep-rooted connection to our community. As a Vancleave native and graduate of Vancleave High School, Dale has strong ties to the area. He also attended Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, further solidifying his commitment to the local community. As a person of faith, Dale possesses a profound understanding and empathy for the process individuals go through during and after the loss of a loved one. He is an active member of First Baptist Church Vancleave and The Gideons International (Gautier-Vancleave Camp), reflecting his spiritual values and dedication to serving others. With 35 years of marriage under his belt, Dale's compassionate communication style is guided by his commitment to family and community.
In addition to his unwavering commitment to the community, Dale's passion for genealogy has been a driving force for over 25 years. He continues to cultivate his interest in this field, further enriching his knowledge and expertise. Dale's extensive experience, community involvement, and compassionate approach make him an invaluable asset to Holder-Wells and the individuals and families we serve.

Mike Graham
Funeral Director, Embalmer, and Crematory Operator
Mike Graham embarked on his illustrious career in the Funeral Service at a young age, working alongside George Holder, the esteemed founder and proprietor of Holder-Wells. After graduating from East Mississippi Community College (Scooba, MS) in 1988 with a degree in Funeral Service, Mike furthered his education while also participating in football during his time at the institution. Over the years, Mike has diligently served his community with unwavering compassion, taking immense pride in his chosen profession. His commitment to excellence and his deep empathy towards grieving families have earned him a distinguished reputation as a accomplished funeral director, embalmer, and crematory operator.

Lynn Born
Cemetery Administrator and Preneed Sales
Lynn is a dedicated mother of three, with one daughter and two sons, as well as a proud grandmother of five boys. With over 12 years of experience in office administration, Lynn brings a wealth of expertise to her role at Holder-Wells since joining in 2017, and is deeply passionate about her career in assisting families during their time of need. As a Preneed Agent since 2019, Lynn is committed to providing families with the utmost care and support. She understands the importance of clear and empathic communication, and works diligently to ensure families are prepared for the future, thereby minimizing unnecessary stress. When meeting with families who are experiencing the loss of a loved one, Lynn offers compassion and understanding, recognizing the grieving process and assisting with the burial arrangements. Lynn's unwavering dedication to her community is evident in her daily efforts to provide the best possible service. She continuously strives to go above and beyond to meet the needs of families with warmth, professionalism, and empathy, making her an invaluable asset to the Holder-Wells team.

Margaret Migues
Funeral Assistant
Margaret is a dedicated Funeral Assistant who joined our team in 2018. Margaret brings comfort to families by navigating the unknown which can be a very scary time. Helping to process and fulfill important wishes to the best of our ability is what our team is all about.

Dave Spence
Funeral Assistant
Dave is a Funeral Assistant who is focused, detailed, passionate, and closely connected to his community since 1976. He has a diverse background from his past U.S. Army service, experience as a family man, father of two daughters, grandfather to two grandchildren, and his successful battle against cancer has greatly added to our team experience.

Ed Hibbard
Funeral Assistant
Ed is a Funeral Assistant dedicated to building a compassionate, respectful, and reliable environment for our community members. He has over 35 years of continued excellence and commitment to our local community which continues to grow as part of our team. Ed has diverse skills and expertise to assist your family.
Explore Our Locations
See where we are and find the place that best meet your needs.
Serene Memorial Gardens Cemetery at Holder Wells Coastal Chapel
12800 Hwy 613
Moss Point, MS 39563