Our Staff

Ann Martin

Office Manager

Ann has been in the funeral service industry for 3 years and came to work for Cox-Needham Funeral Home in September of 2023.

She graduated from Fayetteville Technical Community College with her associate degree in Funeral Service/Mortuary Science. She will soon begin her apprenticeship and complete her board exams to obtain her license as an Embalmer and Funeral Director.

In her time away from work she enjoys spending the day with her daughters, Shelby Louise, and Josie Grace; her family; and her fiancé Steven; and her fur baby Honey.

Carly Shumate

Licensed Manager & Funeral Service Licensee

Carly has been in the funeral industry, in some form or another since she was only 16. She graduated with an AAS in Mortuary Sciences from Tidewater Comm. College in 2012.

After almost a decade of working as a certified crematory operator, both for pets & people, she has now obtained her license as a NC & VA Funeral Director & Embalmer. She also has plans to obtain a Bachelors degree in Funeral Management.

Carly came to American Funeral Partners in October of 2020 as an apprentice. Since then, she has helped manage Carolina Cremation Center & now travels between our multiple sister funeral home locations to help serve families wherever they may be. As of April 2024, she was named Licensed Manager of Cox-Needham Funeral Home.

In her time away from work, she enjoys spending the day with her husband, John & son, Daniel & her favorite fur-child, Ava Lou.

Email:

AJ Daoud

President, Funeral Director & Embalmer

AJ started his career in law enforcement and working part-time at a funeral home. As a police officer AJ served as State President and National Vice President of non-profit police youth organization (PAL).

In 1986 he entered funeral service full time and became nationally known in the industry for writing articles and speaking to several organizations about his progressive ideas about funeral service. Having served various leadership roles in Pilot Mountain/Surry County including past chairman of United Way, past vice chairman for Habit for Humanity, past president of the Pilot Mountain Merchants Association. AJ currently serves as vice chairman for the town planning and zoning board.

AJ is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in North Carolina, Virginia, Florida & Texas. His expertise in funeral service has led him to become appointed to serve on several national committees in funeral service organizations. In his career he has guided and served thousands of families during their time of need.

Email:

Steve Snow

Funeral Director

Steve is a 1970 graduate of Surry Central High School and a 1974 graduate of Pfeiffer University where he earned a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. Before entering the funeral profession , Steve worked as Department Supervisor at RJR Tobacco.

In 1990 Steve became a partner and began his career with Cox-Needham. He currently serves as Vice President and Funeral Director with the company and has been a board member of the Fulton Family YMCA in Winston-Salem for 12 years. He was a charter member of the Pilot Mountain Jaycees and a past member of the board of directors of Pilot Knob Fire Department.

He is married to Lin and has one daughter Anna Katherine.

Mary Ann Freeman

Funeral Assistant

Mary Ann is a 1981 graduate of Mount Airy High School.

She is married to Mitchell Freeman and they have two wonderful children together, Michael Brandon Freeman and Candice Michelle Freeman.

In 2010 she joined the funeral home staff as a funeral assistant.

Telephone: 1-336-368-2233

Dennis Beck

Funeral Assistant

Bio and pic coming soon!

Norman Jones

Funeral Assistant

Tom Nuckols

Office Assistant

Tom came to Cox-Needham in the Spring of 2022. A native of West Virginia, Tom holds several advanced degrees and has a very extensive resume. He has served in many different leadership positions in academia both as a professor as well as an administrator. Tom holds a Master's degree in Counseling, Guidance, and Student Personnel and a Doctorate in Higher Education Administration.

Tom lives in King with his wife Linda and has two children, and six grandchildren. When he isn't serving as treasurer at his church or helping out at the funeral home, Tom enjoys golf, reading, and assisting parents with college decisions.