Our Staff

Our dedicated and supportive staff are here to guide you through this difficult journey. We take pride in doing our absolute best to ensure your needs are met.  ​Larry & Shay Chedotal moved to Mississippi in August, 1993, to manage Natchez Trace Memorial Park Cemetery, the business their family purchased in 1973.  We opened the Funeral Home in 2003 and added a Crematory on the property in 2007.  In January, 2018, a community mausoleum was opened with Phase II to be built in a few years.

Larry & Shay have been married for 35 years and have two children; Brittany and Ryan and two grandchildren. They are members of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Madison.  You can take pride in knowing that your family member will be taken care of like our own.  One consistent phrase is that we do not take care of customers or clients but families.  We each have our personal families, then our work family and as you commit to entrust us to handle your loved one or your services, you will become part of our Natchez Trace families.  

Larry Chedotal, Jr.
CEO - Owner

Larry is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana and attended Louisiana State University. He has been working in the cemetery industry since he was 14 years old, beginning his career as a lawn attendant. He is the sole proprietor of Natchez Trace Funeral Home, Memorial Park Cemetery & Crematory. Larry has been very active in the cemetery industry and has served two terms as President of the Mississippi Cemetery Association and also is Past President of the Southern Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Association (SCCFA). Larry is very supportive of the Madison Chapter Special Olympics donating all proceeds from the annual Easter Candle Light Vigil at Natchez Trace Memorial Park Cemetery. Larry is a member of Madison “The City” Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Knights of Columbus, Madison Chapter.

Shay Chedotal
President

Shay is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana and attended Louisiana State University. She  currently serves as President of the organization. She graduated in December, 2005, with honors and received an Associate Degree in Applied Sciences in Funeral Service Technology.  She is a licensed Embalmer and Certified Crematory Operator as well.  She is the current Vice President for the MS Funeral Directors Association, the current Executive Director for the Mississippi Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Association and is an Ambassador for the City of Madison.  Shay has contributed many hours and resources to Junior Achievement, Habitat for Humanity, Camp Bluebird, Special Olympics and Breast Cancer Awareness.  Shay has a special place in her heart for the military and our Veterans.

Michael L. Hudgins CFSP
Manager, Funeral Director, Mortician, & Crematory Operator

Michael is a native of Ponchatoula, Louisiana and graduated with honors from Jefferson State Community College in Birmingham, Alabama with a degree in Mortuary Science. Michael, his wife Theresa, daughter Kaelon, and son Gavin have been residents of Madison, Mississippi since 1999. Michael is a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in the state of Mississippi, as well as, Alabama. He has been the funeral director licensee in charge of Natchez Trace Funeral Home since it's inception in 2003. In 2007, Michael was one of thirteen directors in the state of Mississippi to have first earned the right to use CFSP (Certified Funeral Service Practitioner). This honor is given to those practitioners who have documented 180 or more hours of continuing education during their career and maintain 20 hours of continuing education. Michael was the first funeral director from the State of Mississippi to attend the ICCFA (International Cemetery, Crematory, & Funeral Association) College of Cremation Services in Memphis, Tennessee and achieved Crematory Operator Certification. Michael did serve on Board of Advisors for the Mortuary Science program at Holmes Community College, Ridgeland Campus, and was elected by the citizens of Madison to serve as Alderman for Ward 5 in 2005 and continues to serve in that capacity to this day. Michael is a past Lt. Governor for the Central District of the Mississippi Funeral Director's Association (MFDA). Michael and his wife, Theresa, were the owners and operators of My Pets At Rest Pet Crematory.

Butch Hammack
Funeral Director & Mortician

Butch is a native of Canton, Mississippi and currently resides in Madison with his wife, Jan.  They have two daughters, Erin and Mary Beth. 

In the summer of 2018, Butch followed a lifelong dream of becoming a funeral director, which he considers a ministry.  He graduated in December, 2019 from Holmes Community College where he received his Associate of Applied Science Degree in Mortuary Science.  He is a licensed Funeral Director, Embalmer, and Crematory Operator in the state of Mississippi. 

Butch is also a 1986 graduate of Delta State University with a BBA degree in Business Administration.  Prior to attending Holmes, he was the Emergency Management/Homeland Security Director and E-911 Coordinator for Madison County, a position he held for twelve and one-half years and served as a reserve deputy for the Madison County Sheriff’s Department for eleven years.  For the last three years, Butch has owned his own business in which he consulted with and wrote emergency plans for churches, schools and private businesses in Mississippi. 

He volunteers at his church, Broadmoor Baptist Church in Madison; currently serves on the Salvation Army Advisory Board; and, is an instructor for the Rankin County Law Enforcement Training Institute. Every Friday evening during football season will find Butch co-hosting the Mississippi Farm Bureau High School Scoreboard Show on SuperTalk Mississippi, a division of TeleSouth Communications.. 



Brittany Chedotal Maugh
Cemetery and Preneed Funeral Consultant

Daughter and Granddaughter to the Chedotal Family, Brittany is married and has 2 children, Tristan & Chloe. She went to culinary school and started her career as a Chef.  Brittany decided she needed a change of pace to spend more time with her family.  She has been with the company since 2011, and can help with all of our your cemetery and funeral questions.  Brittany also serves as a Board Member of the MS Cemetery Association.

Stephen Deal
Funeral Director

Steve Deal is a native of Columbus, OH and has lived in MS for over 20 years.  He has attended Ridgeland High School & Holmes Community College.  Steve has always felt the need to help others over himself, which has guided him here with Natchez Trace.  Steve started in the Cemetery working his way up to his current position, Apprentice Funeral Director.  Steve takes pride in helping to provide the utmost care, respect and service to our families.

Mitzi Tompkins
Receptionist

Mitzi joined our Natchez Family in April, 2020.  She is a graduate of Delta State University in Cleveland, MS where she majored in Psychology and Sociology. While raising her three sons, now grown, she was active in homeschooling, Junior Auxiliary, Boys Scouts of America and other volunteer opportunities. Mitzi has recently located to the Madison area where she is enjoying and absorbing all that Madison has to offer.