Michael P. Illobre- Alumni President 2024-2025
Michael is a native of Lebanon, Tennessee and a graduate of Lebanon High School. He moved to Nashville a few months after high school to attend John A. Gupton College where he graduated and received his Associate of Arts degree in 1999. He lived and served his apprenticeship at Woodbine Funeral Home and upon licensure begin working for West Harpeth Funeral Home where he has spent most of his working career.
In January of 2022, he embarked on a new chapter and co-founded Compassion Funeral & Cremation Services in West Nashville. He is a member of the John A. Gupton Alumni Association and lives in the West Nashville community that he serves. Michael’s career in funeral service has provided him the honor to embalm some of Nashville’s famous country musicians, including Johnny Cash and Vern Gosdin.
Tracy Allen – 1st Vice President
Tracy Hamm Allen is currently the Director of Mortuary Science & Alumni Relations at John A. Gupton College. Tracy is a 1998 graduate of John A. Gupton College. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 2003 from Trevecca University and obtained her M.B.A from Bethel University in 2011.
Since graduating from John A. Gupton College, Tracy took on various roles within funeral homes while also being allowed more diverse roles within a company to learn more about cemeteries and cremation. Tracy has been an instructor at John A. Gupton College since 2009.
Tracy is married to Brandon Allen, a life-long resident of Williamson County, TN where they reside along with their doodles, Bentley and Tazz.
Clayton White – 2nd Vice President
Clayton White is a licensed Funeral Director, Embalmer, and Certified Crematory Operator. He is a 2006 graduate of Humboldt High School and a 2008 graduate of John A. Gupton College in Nashville, TN, with an Associate of Arts Degree in Funeral Service. He serves as the Medina Lions Club treasurer, a member of the Humboldt Masonic Lodge #202, the past president of the board of directors for the Greater Gibson County Chamber of Commerce, and has served as a Gibson County Commissioner. Clayton is married to Kimberly Boswell White, who is also an alumni of John A. Gupton College, and together they own Replogle-Lawrence Funeral Home in Medina, TN. Clayton and Kimberly are parents to Holland Leon White and fur baby Mallie.
Tim Bond – Secretary
Tim is a native of Lebanon, TN and a graduate of Lebanon High School. He is a1989 graduate of John A. Gupton College in Nashville, TN with an Associates of Arts Degree in Funeral Service. He is a third generation funeral director. Tim worked at Woodbine Funeral Home in Nashville, TN for 16 years prior to joining Pierce Chemicals/Royal Bond as a sales representative and serving Tennessee, Alabama, and Kentucky. He is a member of Claiborne Masonic Lodge and Al Menah Shrine Temple. Tim is also a veteran of the United States Army.
Tim is a member of the Tennessee Funeral Supply & Sales Club (TFSSC), and the Tennessee Funeral Director’s Association (TFDA). Tim has served as President of the TFSSC and has served on the education committee for the TFDA. Tim is an active member of the John A. Gupton College Alumni Association; serving as President for the Alumni Association for 2013-2014.
Keith Stapleton – Treasurer
A native of Sneedville, TN moved to Nashville in 1977 to attend John A. Gupton College, graduating in 1978 with an Associates of Arts Degree in Funeral Service and also a BS in Business from Aquinas College and still lives in Nashville.
Keith worked at Marshall Donnelly Combs Funeral Home after graduating. In the early 80’s he became the first Pre-need sales person for SCI in the Nashville Market. In the 90’s he worked at Harpeth Hills Funeral Home and Memory Gardens. In 1994 he became Manager of West Harpeth Funeral Home and was there until 1999 when he took a job with the Keystone Group as Manager of Madison Funeral Home then transferred to Marshall Donnelly Combs in 2000 where he remained until 2016. Keith is now manager of Murfreesboro Funeral Home in Murfreesboro, TN.
Keith is a member of the TFDA, served as President of the John A. Gupton Alumni Association 1999-2000. Keith is married to his wife Linda and has 2 children and 1 grandchild. Keith is past director of missions for the United Methodist Men of Middle Tennessee Conference and served on several committees in the United Methodist Church both local and conference.