VALDOSTA — Carson McLane Funeral Home, which started serving local residents in 1936 and has served Valdosta and Lowndes County for more than 71 years, was named Small Business Of The Year by the Valdosta - Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce Thursday.

Carson McLane is a professional services firm that specializes in serving families and individuals associated with death and the needs associated with that loss.

The firm was named as winners from a field of six nominees during the Chamber’s Annual Salute To Small Business at a breakfast ceremony at the James H. Rainwater Conference Center on Norman Drive.

“We began the process by asking for nominees from our Chamber members,” said Ryan Williams of the Chamber.

The judges chose Carson McLane for exemplifying a prestigious level of quality and consistency in service that has remained the company’s foundation throughout; for being locally owned and operated with active family involvement; for raising its employment from five initial employees to more than 30 full time and part time employees, and for serving clients from all areas of the community.

Also, Carson McLane “is constantly focused on the best way to serve a family, goes the extra mile to ensure that every service is done right, and emphasizes preparation and communication with the family, so that proper focus can be placed on the event at hand, not on the minor details related to preparation,” Williams said.

“Carson McLane recognizes that offering great service at a fair price will help them remain competitive while serving friends and family in the best way possible,” Williams added. “Carson McLane encourages its staff to be active and involved in the community in order to develop relationships that create a sense of empowerment between staff and families.”

Carson McLane “has created a level of professionalism, personalization, and empowerment that is simply sensational. Through hard work, dedication, and a commitment to exemplary core values, (Carson McLane) has established a connection with our community, and a commitment to excellence that makes them more than worthy of 2008 Small Business of the Year.”

The award provides the winner with a prize package worth more than $2,200. This package includes two annual Chamber dinner tickets, two evenings at the Red Carpet Party, a table at each of the Chamber’s tradeshows — Moody Appreciation Fun Fair and the Business To Business Showcase, two tickets to the Chamber’s mid-year Membership Meeting, sponsorship of the “Salute to Small Business” breakfast in 2009, two tickets to Annual Bird Supper in Atlanta, two evenings at Triple Crown Home Town receptions, and a billboard recognizing them as “2008 Small Business of the Year” provided by Lamar Advertising.

The applications were judged by a panel, which included Jodi Doss (Jodi’s Accessories), 2003 Small Business of the Year; Dr. Debra Tann (Genesis Christian School) 2005 Small Business of the Year; and Williams. The Chamber staff did not play any part in the selection of the “Small Business of the Year.”

Other nominees included:

• Astro Exterminating Services, Inc.: Established in 1969, Astro Exterminating Services, Inc. is the largest independently owned and operated pest control company in South Georgia. The staff is trained in the latest techniques for controlling and preventing pests in and around homes and businesses.

• Bush Investment Group, LLC: Bush Investment Group has offered a wide range of financial and estate planning services for the citizens of Valdosta-Lowndes County since August 2004. Whether you are planning for college or for retirement, Bush offers expert financial advice, with a high level of respect and care.

• Coldwell Banker Premier Real Estate: Coldwell Banker is a full service real estate company that has successfully served South Georgia since 1973. Its mission is to maintain the highest level of integrity and professionalism in delivering superior real estate services.

• Covington’s Dining & Catering: Covington’s specializes in weddings, rehearsal dinners, and various corporate and social events. Open for business since 1992, their focus remains on providing clients with the highest quality products and services in order to meet all of their catering and event needs.

• Mizell Floor Covering, Inc.: Mizell Floor Covering is a second generation, professional, one-stop flooring and design business. Mizell’s proudly offers a large area rug collection, hardwood flooring, ceramic and porcelain tiles, marble, granite and carpet. Mizell has been a proud member of the business community since 1968.

“It was a very difficult task this year to pick a recipient of this award, since all nominees so well deserving,” Williams said.

Britt McLane, son of Carson McLane and current funeral director at the company, said he was caught off guard when his firm was named the winner at the ceremony.

“I was sitting there thinking what I might say if we actually won, but when I looked around and saw all the other great companies that had been nominated, I stopped thinking about it,” McLane said later Thursday. “So yes, I was pleasantly surprised when we were picked as the winner.”

See the Times’ Sunday Business page for a more in-depth story about Carson McLane Funeral Home and it’s more than 71 years of serving local residents.