A Simple Service is a family-owned funeral home with a commitment and legacy of serving others. Also located at:
700 S.
New Hope Road
Gastonia, NC 28053
704.865.3451
515 N. Central Avenue
Belmont, NC 28012
704.825.5301
02/20/2026
Our facilities provide rich diversity, from comfortable rooms and quiet corners to a picturesque chapel, offering a peaceful setting. We welcome you to A Simple Service Burial and Cremation, where you can confidently celebrate a life well-lived. Call (803) 283-3344 to learn more. This is Funeral Director Chad Cotton.
View John Andrew Allen's complete obituary, share memories, and explore heartfelt tribute posts from the community.
02/18/2026
A celebration of life will be a memory that lasts forever. That's why families who need to save yet want the finest call A Simple Service Burial and Cremation. From pricing to the beauty of our facility, we strive to offer the best funeral value. For more, call (803) 283-3344.
02/16/2026
John Roy Stewart, 64, of Lancaster, passed away on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete at this time. An official obituary with visitation information will be published at a later time. Arrangements are under the di...
02/16/2026
Preplanning your funeral spares your family from making difficult decisions during an emotional time. Sit down with Funeral Director Chad Cotton at A Simple Service Burial and Cremation to start the conversation. Call (803) 283-3344 and take the first step toward peace of mind.
02/13/2026
Having a competent coordinator in times of crisis is important. Having one that's sensitive and caring is even better. At A Simple Service Burial and Cremation, a Funeral Director like Jacquelyn Duncan is both. For compassionate care, call (803) 283-3344.
02/11/2026
Honor a life well lived with a Traditional Cremation, where every memory can be shared and cherished. For a dignified farewell without burial, call A Simple Service Burial and Cremation at (803) 283-3344 and meet with Funeral Director Chad Cotton.
02/09/2026
If you're new to the Lancaster area and you've pre-purchased a funeral, we would be honored if you transferred it to A Simple Service Burial and Cremation. We honor all transfers, and there's never a fee. For more, call (803) 283-3344.
02/06/2026
Joel Dean Owens, 60, of Lancaster, SC, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. In accordance with Joel's wishes, no services are being held at this time. An official obituary will be published shortly. Arrangements are under the dire...
02/06/2026
Donald Wayne Raffaldt, 66, of Lancaster, SC, passed away on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at Lancaster Health & Rehabilitation.
Donnie grew up in the Buford community and made a career out of driving semi-trucks. He loved drinking coffee and enjoying the outdoors. He loved his animals and enjoyed spending time with them. You could find him watching wrestling, westerns, and spending time with his family. He was a man of few words, but when he spoke, everyone listened. Donnie can teach us all to slow down and enjoy the simple things in life.
Donnie was born on November 5th, 1959, in Lancaster, a son of the late Lougenia Raffaldt and Lonnie Raffaldt Sr.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Lougenia Raffaldt, his father, Lonnie Raffaldt Sr, and his brothers Charlie Raffaldt and Randy Raffaldt.
Donnie is survived by his brother, Lonnie Raffaldt. His nephew, Allen Raffaldt, and his wife, Caroline, and his great little blessings, Noah and Lizzie.
A graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, February 13, 2026, at Hopewell United Methodist Church cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hopewell United Methodist church, 3734 Heyward Hough Road, Lancaster, SC 29720.
Arrangements are under the direction of A Simple Service of Lancaster.
Joel Dean Owens, 60, of Lancaster, SC, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
Joel was born on Thursday, September 10, 1964, in Spartanburg, SC, to the late William “Harold” and Virginia Ann McManus. Throughout his life, Joel was an avid sportsman; he enjoyed playing softball, getting in a round of golf, and fishing. A member of New Hope Baptist Church, his faith in God was of great importance to him. Joel worked for many years in the maintenance department for the Lancaster County School District. A loving son, brother, father, grandfather, and friend to many, he leaves behind a lasting impression on the hearts of many and will be deeply missed.
In addition to his parents, Joel was preceded in death by his daughter, Heather Owens.
Left to cherish his memory are his brothers, Todd Owens (Sharon) and Mike Owens (Karen); special friend, Debbie Owens; a beloved granddaughter, Scarlett; nephew, David Owens; niece, Crystal Owens; as well as numerous other family members and dear friends.
In accordance with Joel’s wishes, no services will be held. Instead, he wanted be remembered through the happy memories he was honored to share with others throughout his life.
The family would like to thank everyone for their continued prayers and condolences during this time of sadness. Charitable donations are encouraged and requested to be made to New Hope Baptist Church,3731 Lynwood Dr, Lancaster, SC 29720, (803) 285- 2401, in his memory.
Arrangements are under the direction of a Simple Service Burial & Cremation of Lancaster, SC.
A peaceful environment is essential when your family is coping with grief. At A Simple Service Burial and Cremation, our gathering area, visitation rooms, and chapel provide serenity and an idyllic backdrop to honor your loved one's memory. To discover our beautiful facilities, call (803) 283-3344.
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McLean Funeral Directors - Mahaffey Chapel is now A Simple Service - Lancaster!
We believe that the success of any business requires dedication and professionalism. In our business, in particular, it also requires a great deal of kindness, compassion and attention to detail. You’ll find these qualities in each and every member of our staff here at A Simple Service - Lancaster.
Put your trust in us to make this experience as comfortable and carefree as possible.
Today, as most funeral services have been purchased by large corporate companies, we can proudly say that we have remained a family owned and operated funeral service through four generations. We proudly celebrated our 120th Anniversary in 2012!
Our dedicated and experienced staff has over 300 years of combined funeral service experience that ensures each family will have sincere, personal and professional service down to the last detail.
At A Simple Service, we consider it a privilege to serve this area, and try to give back to our community whenever we can. Many of our staff members are personally involved with various organizations and groups within the community and our funeral home is a proud sponsor of many local programs and charities. Our goal is to support organizations and activities that make our region special and enhance the quality of life for all who live here.
At A Simple Service, we take great pride in what we do. Our purpose is to:
Help families make well-planned preparations in their time of need
Provide a peaceful and soothing environment where people can gather to honor the life of a loved one
Preserve longstanding traditions and customs
Offer personalized and affordable services and products