Family Owned. Family Focused.
Our staff is comprised of dedicated and licensed professionals with the experience to answer all your questions regarding our services. Please feel free to contact any of our staff members at any time.
Owner, Funeral Director & Embalmer, License #1316
Martin
is the owner of Sauls Funeral Home of Ridgeland and
Martin is a US Navy veteran of
Co-Owner & Manager
Diane Punzel Sauls is a native of Hardeeville, SC (Levy
Section) and one of three daughters of Lawrence F. and Jacqueline Punzel. She
is a graduate of Hardeeville High School and Bolen-Draughton Business School of
Savannah, GA. She has worked alongside her husband, L.Martin Sauls, III for 40
years.
Prior to co-owning the business, Diane worked as a
hospitality professional for more than 14 years. In this role, she traveled
throughout the United States coordinating the opening of properties for the
Hilton Hotels Corporation.
Diane has served on several Jasper County Boards
including the Jasper County Chamber of Commerce, Morris Center Foundation, and the
Resource Foundation for Jasper County. She has a passion for serving her
community, as demonstrated by her commitment to assisting families make
arrangements for passed loved ones.
Funeral Director, License #4249
Rachael N. Dye-Arney, daughter of Deborah Johnson Dye and
the late James “Jim” R. Dye, Jr., was born and raised in Trenton,
Missouri. She is a graduate of Central Missouri State University
(Warrensburg, Missouri; now University of Central Missouri). Rachael
earned her Missouri Funeral Director license in 2007 and her South Carolina Funeral Director license in 2021. She and her husband
(Scott) and their son (Mason) relocated to the beautiful low country to
enjoy the southern lifestyle and ocean in 2020.
Funeral Director & Embalmer, License #3711
Alan Micheal Martin has been a licensed funeral director and
embalmer for 41 years, graduating from Gupton Jones College of Mortuary Science
in 1979. He is a member of Masonic Lodge F&AM 452 of Savannah, GA, York
Rite, Scottish Rite (9th Degree Presentation Team), an Ailee
Shriner, a member of the Royal Order of Jesters Court 134 of Savannah, and a
member of the Ailee Dune Cats. Micheal resides in Savannah with his wife,
Nancy.
Apprentice, Lincense #4254
Kathryn C. Stoner is a great-niece to Martin Sauls III and takes joy in being a member of the Sauls Funeral Home staff. She received her degree in Funeral Service in May of 2018, graduating with honors from Ogeechee Technical College in Statesboro, GA. She is a Ridgeland native, a high school graduate of Thomas Heyward Academy, and a member of Ridgeland Baptist Church. She is married to Blake W. Stoner of Ridgeland. Kathryn enjoys traveling, spending time on the beach, and playing with her dogs, Sadie and Ranger!.
Assistant
Scott
Arney was born in Princeton, MO and raised near Mount Moriah, MO. He is a
graduate of Central Missouri State University. Scott and his wife, Rachael, and
their son, Mason, moved to the Lowcountry in the summer of 2020. In his spare
time, he enjoys visiting the beach, bird-watching, and landscaping.
Assistant
Ryan Speegle is originally from Marietta, Georgia and has lived in the Lowcountry since 1999. He has been working as a Funeral Assistant with Sauls Funeral Home since 2011. He and his wife Meagan currently live in Beaufort, SC with their two sons, Trey and Seth and daughter, Sara. Ryan enjoys boating and being on the water in his spare time.
Apprentice
Hannah C.
O’Quinn, daughter of Gerald and Christi O’Quinn, is a native of Ridgeland, SC
and a graduate of Thomas Heyward Academy. She began working for Sauls Funeral
Home in 2018 after graduating cum laude from Piedmont Technical College with an
Associate’s Degree in Funeral Service. During her free time, Hannah enjoys
drawing, spending time with her three dogs, and going out in the river.
Assistant
William
Shoemaker, a U.S. Navy veteran, grew up in Switzerland, South Carolina. He arrived
in Ridgeland, South Carolina at 27 years old as a police officer. He was the
first bike officer. After spending some time in cemetery maintenance in the
state of New Hampshire, William returned home to South Carolina. During his
free time, he enjoys riding his Harley around the Lowcountry.
Funeral Assistant
Brenda Thomas Reiser is a part time employee of Sauls Funeral Home. Brenda was born in Ridgeland and lived in Columbia, South Carolina for 25 years before retiring and moving back "home" to Ridgeland. Brenda is an avid gardener and travels to Texas and Louisiana every chance she gets to visit with her two grandsons. Brenda is a granddaughter of Martin Sauls I and is very proud and delighted to be a member of the staff at Sauls Funeral Home. As a child, Brenda fondly remembers hearing her Uncle Martin (Martin Sauls Jr.) tell stories of her family.
Courier
Rita Adams serves as the courier for Sauls Funeral Home. Rita is originally from Danville, Kentucky but grew up in Richmond, Kentucky. She moved to South Carolina in 1989. Rita is a member of the Edgar Mole Chapter Order of the Eastern Star and the First Presbyterian Church of Hardeeville, South Carolina. She enjoys gardening, painting, and stock-car racing.
Granddaughter
Macy Anne Sauls is the eldest granddaughter of L. Martin Sauls, III. She recently graduated from John Paul II and is attending Clemson University. Macy loves cheering on her Clemson Tigers, spending time on the Chechessee river, and traveling.
Granddaughter
Emma Martin Sauls is the youngest granddaughter of L. Martin Sauls, III. Emma currently attends John Paul II Catholic School and plays volleyball. She enjoys hunting and spending her summers in the river.
Grandson
Schaffer is the youngest grandchild of L. Martin Sauls, III. He loves riding the boat in the river and fishing with his dad!