About Us

Max is a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer

Tami is Manager of Guest Services, Administration & Hospitality

Max and Tami live in Blairsville and are members of First Baptist Church of Blairsville. They met in what was at that time East Fannin High School in Morganton, Georgia, where they were high school sweethearts and have been married since 1977. Their children are Anna (married to Ryan Goswick), Allison (married to Brandon Burkhead), and Daniel (married to Allison Gasser Cochran); and they are blessed with six grandchildren (Ava, Caylen, Zeke, Luke, Asher, Lula, Emmett, and Garnet). Max attended Oxford College, Emory University, and Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science. Max is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association. Since 1981, Max has been serving as a funeral director and embalmer for Cochran Funeral Homes for 42 years. He is licensed in North Carolina and Georgia. He and Tami have been blessed to be able to work side-by-side at Cochran Funeral Home - doing what they believe is the work that God has given them to do.

Gabriel and his wife Amanda have one child, Olivia, and are natives of Fannin County.  Gabe grew up in the funeral industry and began working at Cochran Funeral Homes with his dad as a young man.  He began his mortuary degree soon after high school and is a 2002 graduate of Gupton-Jones College.  He is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in Georgia and North Carolina.  Gabe is committed to serving families and continuing the legacy of his dad Steve.  Gabe enjoys spending time with his family and playing music

David began shadowing his father, Steve, in the funeral home at an early age and has spent nearly 20 years of his life dedicated to the mission of Cochran Funeral Homes. David became part-owner in October 2023, and plans on pursuing a mortuary science degree in the future. He is proud to continue in his father’s footsteps and continuing his legacy. David and his wife Darlena are proud residents of Fannin County and enjoy spending time together with their 3 dogs. 

Matthew and his wife Miranda have been married since December 2002, and have two boys, Mason and Marshall.  Matthew graduated from Kennesaw State University in 2003 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.  He graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 2010 with a Master of Divinity Degree.  Matthew served as pastor of the Kingtown Baptist Church in McCaysville from 2004-2006. 

He served as Associate Pastor and Minister of Students at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Hayesville, North Carolina from 2006- 2010.  From 2010 until 2022, he served as the Pastor of First Baptist Church, McCaysville-Copperhill in McCaysville, Georgia.  Matthew joined Cochran Funeral Home in 2022 where he began his journey in Funeral Service. 

He is a current student at Jefferson State Community College and will finish his mortuary degree in early 2024. He became one of the owners in October 2023.  Matthew has a passion and love for ministering and serving families.  He believes God prepared him through the years of full-time ministry to serve families effectively during their darkest hours.  He enjoys spending time with his family.

The Legacy of Cochran Funeral Home began with our beloved owner, the late Stephen Dorsey Cochran.  Steve was a lifelong resident of Fannin County and lived in Morganton, Georgia. He graduated from East Fannin High School where his interest in funeral service began. He served his apprenticeship at the Henry Funeral Home under the direction of Oscar Henry. Steve later earned his degree at the Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science in Atlanta, Georgia. He was a licensed funeral director for North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee. He married his wife Debra in 1974, and they had three sons, Joshua, Gabriel, and David. Debra retired from a long career in education from East Fannin Elementary School.  Steve was an incredible visionary leader always looking to the future.  Steve was a very caring person who was devoted to the community. His passion came from a strong commitment to ensuring that Cochran Funeral Homes and their staff instill trust in their area families.  Although Steve left us way too soon, his memory and legacy continue to fuel the passion of serving families.