Amy Bryant
Manager/Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer 3233
Amy is a dedicated funeral director, embalmer, and crematory operator with over two decades of experience. A Sumter native, she is a 2000 graduate of Laurence Manning Academy and a 2002 graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service where she was a recipient of the South Carolina Evelyn J. Davis Memorial Scholarship.
After completing her apprenticeship in North Carolina, Amy spent 13 years there as a funeral director and embalmer, earning recognition as a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner and was a recipient of the NFDA Pursuit of Excellence Award.
In 2011, she transitioned into funeral home management, serving families in Gaffney and Greenville. Amy then brought her commitment and excitement to service excellence as the General Manager of Bush River Funeral Home.
Amy’s approach to funeral service reflects her belief in celebrating each individual’s unique personality and honoring their lives by planning intimate gatherings or grander scale celebrations of life tailored to the family she is serving.
Amy Bryant
Manager/Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer 3233
Amy is a dedicated funeral director, embalmer, and crematory operator with over two decades of experience. A Sumter native, she is a 2000 graduate of Laurence Manning Academy and a 2002 graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service where she was a recipient of the South Carolina Evelyn J. Davis Memorial Scholarship.
After completing her apprenticeship in North Carolina, Amy spent 13 years there as a funeral director and embalmer, earning recognition as a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner and was a recipient of the NFDA Pursuit of Excellence Award.
In 2011, she transitioned into funeral home management, serving families in Gaffney and Greenville. Amy then brought her commitment and excitement to service excellence as the General Manager of Bush River Funeral Home.
Amy’s approach to funeral service reflects her belief in celebrating each individual’s unique personality and honoring their lives by planning intimate gatherings or grander scale celebrations of life tailored to the family she is serving.
Robert J. Nelson
Licensed Funeral Director/ Embalmer 3047
Robert was born in Riverside, California, and grew up in Irmo, where he graduated from Irmo High School in 2004. After graduation, he worked in local construction before moving to Biloxi, Mississippi, to assist with recovery efforts following Hurricane Katrina, where he served the community for nearly a year. Upon returning to South Carolina, Robert spent several years working in retail with Lowe’s. It was during this time that he discovered his true calling in the funeral industry, an interest he had carried for many years. Determined to pursue this vocation, he first attended Midlands Technical College, earning recognition on the President’s List, before enrolling in the Mortuary Science Program at Piedmont Technical College. He graduated with honors in December 2012.
Robert dedicated more than 12 years to serving the greater Lexington community at Barr-Price Funeral Home. He began his career as an apprentice before becoming a licensed funeral director and embalmer, where his passion and attention to detail were evident. Robert believes that being open, honest, and flexible allows him to serve families with the highest level of care and compassion.
Robert is honored to join Bush River Funeral Home with a heartfelt commitment to giving back to the families and neighbors who shaped his life. His goal is to earn their trust by providing compassionate care for their loved ones and honoring each life with dignity and respect.
Robert is married to the former Kristine Kouba. The two have a beautiful daughter, Emma Ann, and 5 dogs; Bandit, Chuck, Neal, Ducky and Molly.
Robert J. Nelson
Licensed Funeral Director/ Embalmer 3047
Robert was born in Riverside, California, and grew up in Irmo, where he graduated from Irmo High School in 2004. After graduation, he worked in local construction before moving to Biloxi, Mississippi, to assist with recovery efforts following Hurricane Katrina, where he served the community for nearly a year. Upon returning to South Carolina, Robert spent several years working in retail with Lowe’s. It was during this time that he discovered his true calling in the funeral industry, an interest he had carried for many years. Determined to pursue this vocation, he first attended Midlands Technical College, earning recognition on the President’s List, before enrolling in the Mortuary Science Program at Piedmont Technical College. He graduated with honors in December 2012.
Robert dedicated more than 12 years to serving the greater Lexington community at Barr-Price Funeral Home. He began his career as an apprentice before becoming a licensed funeral director and embalmer, where his passion and attention to detail were evident. Robert believes that being open, honest, and flexible allows him to serve families with the highest level of care and compassion.
Robert is honored to join Bush River Funeral Home with a heartfelt commitment to giving back to the families and neighbors who shaped his life. His goal is to earn their trust by providing compassionate care for their loved ones and honoring each life with dignity and respect.
Robert is married to the former Kristine Kouba. The two have a beautiful daughter, Emma Ann, and 5 dogs; Bandit, Chuck, Neal, Ducky and Molly.
Lisa Barfield
Office Manager
Lisa Barfield has been with Temples-Halloran since 2024. She is a Midlands native, born and raised in the Columbia, South Carolina, area. Until very recently, her career has been with the state of South Carolina, 30 years within the Division of Vital Statistics, at the Department of Public Health (formerly SC DHEC). This experience provided Lisa with expert knowledge of death records and documentation within the state.
Although this is Lisa’s first official position in the funeral industry, she has always been interested in funeral home services. She sees her role as an invaluable opportunity to empathetically and passionately connect with people during what is likely one of the toughest times in life.
Lisa has one adult son and three young grandchildren, so her favorite title in life is “Mimi.” When not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and two miniature dachshunds.
Lisa Barfield
Office Manager
Lisa Barfield has been with Temples-Halloran since 2024. She is a Midlands native, born and raised in the Columbia, South Carolina, area. Until very recently, her career has been with the state of South Carolina, 30 years within the Division of Vital Statistics, at the Department of Public Health (formerly SC DHEC). This experience provided Lisa with expert knowledge of death records and documentation within the state.
Although this is Lisa’s first official position in the funeral industry, she has always been interested in funeral home services. She sees her role as an invaluable opportunity to empathetically and passionately connect with people during what is likely one of the toughest times in life.
Lisa has one adult son and three young grandchildren, so her favorite title in life is “Mimi.” When not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and two miniature dachshunds.
Pam Lovin
Cemetery Sales Manager
Pam has been with Bush River Memorial Garden since 2022 and currently serves as the cemetery sales manager. She was born and raised in Laurinburg, North Carolina, and relocated to the Columbia area with her family in 2005. Since moving to South Carolina, Pam worked at Riverland Hills Baptist Church as Assistant to the Executive and Senior Pastors, where she supported church families in planning funeral services. Her passion for helping families led her to a full-time role at Bush River Memorial Gardens.
Pam and her husband have been married for 29 years and have two grown children. Her son works in forestry and her daughter is serving in the U.S. Army. At home, their only “babies” now are two beloved pets, Darlin and Oliver.
Pam Lovin
Cemetery Sales Manager
Pam has been with Bush River Memorial Garden since 2022 and currently serves as the cemetery sales manager. She was born and raised in Laurinburg, North Carolina, and relocated to the Columbia area with her family in 2005. Since moving to South Carolina, Pam worked at Riverland Hills Baptist Church as Assistant to the Executive and Senior Pastors, where she supported church families in planning funeral services. Her passion for helping families led her to a full-time role at Bush River Memorial Gardens.
Pam and her husband have been married for 29 years and have two grown children. Her son works in forestry and her daughter is serving in the U.S. Army. At home, their only “babies” now are two beloved pets, Darlin and Oliver.
