LAKELAND —
W.G. “Dub” Music of Music Funeral Services in Lakeland and Valdosta views his services as a ministry, and his recent award from the Independent Funeral Directors of Georgia (IFDG) speaks volumes about his work ethic and compassion.
More than 120 Georgia funeral home directors were eligible for the IFDG’s first President’s Award. But the man who has held every position in the organization, except treasurer, was lauded with the association’s newest and highest honor during IFDG’s annual convention which was recently held in Savannah.
“I was surprised and humbled to receive the IFDG award from my peers,” said Music who also stated that he was on the board for seven years. “I am greatly honored because there are some great people in this industry. I was just amazed that they selected me out of all of the 125 directors on the IFDG board.”
While IFDG First Vice President Sammy Highsmith said he couldn’t reveal the specific criteria for the President’s Award, he points to Music’s work and longevity in the funeral services field.
“The award concerns the contributions that Dub has made to the profession, and it takes into consideration the number of years that he’s devoted to the helping both families and the IFDG itself,” said Highsmith.
“He has embraced new technologies and innovations in the field, and he offers outstanding services to the families he has worked with.”
Dub Music and his siblings compose the second generation of the business and legacy that was started by his father in 1955 in Lakeland, said Music. The family-owned mortuary business now operates in both Lakeland and Valdosta.
“My father was in the business when I was born, and I was raised in it,” said Music.
“When I was 13, I decided that I didn’t want to do anything other than serve families. I have four sons, three of which are in business with me. One is still in high school.”
Music considers himself to be an outdoorsman and said he enjoys hunting and fishing.
But leisure holds little value when you love your work.
“I’ve never hated to come to work — I don’t know what feeling is or what it’s like,” said Music.
“I love the opportunity to serve families at their time of need. I believe funeral services are a form of ministry.”
Dub has been in and around the funeral industry since he was 13 years old and received his funeral director’s license in 1973, according to Family Services Counselor Paula Sheffield.
He served as the president of the IFDG from 2007 until 2008, she stated, and prior to 2007, he also held the positions of area director, secretary, and vice president for the IFDG.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Casey, Michael, Wilma, Dub, Lee, and Kyle Music pose for a picture as Dub Music showcases his Independent Funeral Directors of Georgia President’s Award.
Discussion
Funeral Directors honor Music
- Local News
-
-
Lowndes County facing budget woes
In a brief meeting Tuesday evening, Lowndes County Commissioners and a small audience reviewed a power point presentation compiled by Finance director Stephanie Black, which shows a rather bleak picture for this fiscal year.
-
Celebrating Juneteenth
Some find it hard to look US slavery in its eyes when glancing back on history, but the Juneteeth committee reminded Valdostans how a people persevered through the barbaric institution as they held the city's 21st annual Juneteenth celebration at Mathis City Auditorium on Tuesday evening.
-
Child drowns in family pool
Emergency workers raced a two-year-old child to South Georgia Medical Center from a Pearl Davis Road residence Monday evening in response to a reported drowning, but the toddler did not respond to resuscitation efforts, according to reports from the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office.
-
Easter Seals benefit Thursday
Easter Seals Southern Georgia will be hosting “Sweet Charity: Desserts for a Cause” Thursday at Mathis Auditorium. The event will be from 7 to 9 p.m. and will include several local restaurants serving dessert as well as a silent auction.
-
Dollar General robbed at gunpoint
A customer and two employees were unharmed during a Sunday evening robbery as two masked men demanded cash from registers and the business’ safe as the Dollar General on Bemiss Road prepared to close at around 11:30 p.m., according to reports from the Valdosta Police Department.
-
Overpass work causes detours
All vehicles which are not making a delivery in the immediate vicinity of the new overpass will have to find alternate routes immediately.
-
Crossing guard keeping kids safe
Meet Merita Williams, crossing guard.
-
Juneteenth’s coming
Held in just as high a regard as the celebration of our country’s independence to many, the county’s annual Juneteenth dinner returns this Tuesday at 7 p.m. for its 21st year and will offer citizens of all races with a central point to celebrate human rights.
-
A soldier called preacher
In Vietnam, Wesley Harrell spread the Lord’s word among his fellow soldiers. He spoke of God often though few seemed to listen until they encountered war’s sudden death.
-
History on the move
In the right hands, a divided house can again mount a sound foundation and settle into a new era, as proved on Saturday when the 100 Black Men of Valdosta unveiled a transplanted house that’ll likely serve as their headquarters at its Martin Luther King Jr. Drive location.
- More Local News Headlines
-
