On August 1, 1997, Tim Pounders — born and raised in Columbus — opened Lowndes Funeral Home & Crematory alongside his wife Dawn and his parents. Tim had already earned his AAS in Mortuary Science from East Mississippi Community College and obtained his dual licensure in both Mississippi and Alabama. The family had a clear purpose: to serve their community with the same care they would give their own.
From the very first call, Lowndes answered. While larger regional chains came and went, Tim and Dawn stayed — neighbor to neighbor, name to name. The home grew steadily, adding staff, earning trust, and investing in the facility. In 2023, a complete remodel transformed the building into a modern, light, welcoming space — with the same family at the door.
Today, Caleb R. Pounders — Tim and Dawn's youngest son, himself licensed since 2013 — serves as President, carrying the family name and the family promise into the next generation.
When a family chooses cremation, the question that matters most is: where does my loved one go? At Lowndes Funeral Home, the answer is simple — they stay here, with us, in our care, from the moment they arrive until they are returned to you.
We operate the only on-site crematory in Lowndes County. That means your loved one is never transferred to a third-party facility, never transported out of our hands, and never out of our sight. From first call to final return, the chain of care is unbroken.
A full service in our beautifully remodeled chapel — with visitation, ceremony, and graveside committal. Personalised for every family, every faith, and every tradition.
A full memorial service — viewing, chapel ceremony, and tribute — with our on-site crematory handling everything in-house. Your loved one never leaves our care.
A simple, dignified cremation without a formal service — for families who prefer a private gathering, or who plan a separate memorial on their own timeline.
An intimate gathering at the cemetery — one ceremony, at the place of rest. Simple, meaningful, and exactly as the family wishes.
Full coordination of military funeral honors for those who served — flag presentation, Presidential Memorial Certificate, VA headstone coordination, and burial honours.
A quiet conversation today that protects your family tomorrow — locking in costs, recording your wishes, and easing the burden on those you love. Dawn Pounders handles all pre-need arrangements personally.
"We have stood with Columbus families through their hardest hours for nearly thirty years.
That is not a business. That is a calling."
Lowndes Funeral Home & Crematory · Serving with Compassion Since 1997
Grief does not end when the service does. Most funeral homes close the file when the family leaves the chapel. At Lowndes, we stay in contact — every week, for a full twelve months after your loss.
Through the TIFG grief aftercare program, every family we serve receives weekly grief support messages for one complete year — plus access to community resources, support groups, children's grief literature, and professional referrals whenever needed.
This is not an add-on. It is part of what we do.
Owner · Funeral Director & Embalmer
Born and raised in Columbus, Tim co-founded Lowndes Funeral Home on August 1, 1997. He holds his AAS in Mortuary Science from East Mississippi Community College and is licensed as a Funeral Director and Embalmer in both Mississippi and Alabama — a dual credential shared by few in the region.
President · Funeral Director & Embalmer
The second generation. Caleb — Tim and Dawn's youngest son — graduated from East Mississippi Community College's Funeral Service Technology program in 2013, the same year he earned his full licensure. He has served as a Crematory Operator since 2008 and now leads the home as President, alongside his wife Karen.
Funeral Director & Embalmer · CFSP
Chris joined Lowndes full-time in 2022 after graduating top of his class from Jefferson State — earning the Outstanding Funeral Service Student Award. He holds the CFSP (Certified Funeral Service Practitioner) designation and is licensed as a Funeral Director, Embalmer, and Crematory Operator in both Alabama and Mississippi.
"These people are professional in every step in this sorrowful time. They know what to do, how to do it and when and where to be at the precise moment when you need them most."
"From the very first phone call, they made one of the worst days of our lives manageable. Tim's family treated us like their own family. I cannot recommend them highly enough."
"Caleb and the whole Lowndes team went above and beyond for us. Knowing the crematory was right there, on site, that my dad never left their care — it gave our family real peace of mind."
Our family is on call twenty-four hours, every day. Call us now, or send us a message — we will respond within the hour.