OUR STAFF

Robert has worked in the funeral industry since he began his funeral director’s apprenticeship at the age of 16. Born in Midland City, and a graduate of Headland High School, Robert has a strong appreciation for the Wiregrass region and its many wonderful residents. He opened Byrd Funeral Home in Dothan in 1983, but sold the business in 1995. He immediately began pursuing plans to grow Sunset Memorial into its current standing as the area’s premier provider of funeral and burial services.

Since 1986, Robert has also served as the Houston County Coroner. He is a member of the Alabama Coroners Association, Alabama Funeral Directors Association, The Independent Funeral Group, ICCFA, the Alabama Cemetery Association, and several local, civic organizations. He is a member of St. Columba Catholic Church, and enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, and riding his motorcycle. Robert and his wife, Toni Newton Byrd, have five children – Jordan, Phillip, Andrew, Matthew and Emily – and grandchildren, Olivia and Grayton.

Toni Newton Byrd was born and raised in the Wiregrass. With roots that trace back to Slocomb on her mother’s side, and Taylor on her father’s, Toni has a deep love for the community. The couple have five children and two grandchildren. Toni has been integral to the development and success of Sunset.

She is a licensed Alabama Funeral Director, a member of the Alabama Funeral Directors Association, The Independent Funeral Group, ICCFA, the Alabama Cemetery Association, and the Houston County Republicans Women’s Association. A member of St. Columba Catholic Church, Toni enjoys needlepointing – a hobby she learned from Robert’s grandmother – as well as traveling and spending time with her family.

Andrew Byrd, son of Robert and Toni, earned his bachelor's degree in 2015 from Troy University majoring in criminal justice with a minor in business administration and an associate degree in mortuary sciences from Jefferson State in 2017. While in school, Andrew was very involved on campus and was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. Growing up in the family’s funeral home business led Andrew to appreciate his parents’ accomplishments as business owners, mentors and community leaders.

Joining the staff at Sunset was a natural fit for Andrew, who plans to follow the example set by his mother and father, and become one of the welcoming faces that clients know and look for in their time of need. Andrew and his wife, Courtney, are parents to sons, Grayton and Ridge.

Emily Byrd Milstead, daughter of Robert and Toni Byrd, was born and raised in Dothan, Alabama. Her passion for caring for and serving her community is what ignited her drive to pursue a career in nursing following high school. She attended Auburn University where she attained a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing in 2019. Following graduation, she began working at Southeast Health Medical Center where she cared for many women and their newborn children as a labor and delivery nurse. She assisted the women of the Wiregrass through labor and child care as a full-time registered nurse for three and a half years. During that time, she also completed a summer contract as a labor and delivery travel nurse in the city of Temple, Texas.

She transitioned to part time as a nurse to aid in her parents’ growing need for assistance at Sunset. The growth in her family’s business has led her to pursue a career as a licensed funeral director alongside her parents and older brother Andrew. This career path allows her to continue doing what she loves as she cares for and serves the community during their time of need.

During her off time, she enjoys spending time with her huband and family, friends, and beloved pets. She also enjoys volunteering at the local pregnancy center where she empowers and educates women on childbirth.

Ivy completed her degree in funeral service education from Jefferson State Community College in December 2020. She is a licensed funeral director and embalmer. 

With a passion for helping families celebrate and honor their loved ones, Ivy is dedicated to providing compassionate and professional funeral services.  

She and her husband have one daughter. In her free time, she enjoys family, her dog West, and traveling back home to Hamilton, AL to see family and friends. She can also be found at the beach. 

Dylan Chancey is a Wiregrass native, devoted family man, and a funeral director and embalmer. His calling to work at a funeral home came early, and he has been committed to serving bereaved families ever since. Dylan received his associate degree in Mortuary Sciences from Jefferson State in 2022 and is a licensed funeral director and embalmer. Outside of work, he is happily married to his wife, Hannah and they have two children, Ella Kate and Clara Brooke. Dylan loves spending time with family and greatly enjoys being an active participant in our local community. 

Keith Stowers was born and raised in Southern Ohio before attending the Citadel Military College in Charleston, South Carolina. After graduation he joined the Air Force, and served 20 years on active duty, and 23 years as a civil service employee. While in the military, Keith began working with the Air Force Mortuary Program. Following his retirement from the Air Force, in 2005, he joined Sunset as a funeral assistant. He and his wife, Flo, are both members at Dothan’s Calvary Baptist Church, and are actively involved in the Senior Program. When not working or at church, they stay very busy with their grandchildren.

Ed was born into a military family and moved to Dothan in 1973. He married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Tammy, in 1978 and joined the military himself. After about 7 years of traveling with the Army, his wife, and two children, the family returned to Dothan. He retired from the medical field in 2020.

He and Tammy enjoy their time camping and spending time with their grandchildren.  Ed and Tammy are long time members of Highland Park Methodist Church where they are involved in the music program. Ed joined the Sunset family in 2022.  His gentle and kind spirit allows him to minister to family members in an honorable manner.

Rob Windham was born and raised in Headland, AL. After graduating from Headland High, Rob went on to earn a bachelor’s in Psychology from Troy University in 2013 and an MBA from Louisiana State University - Shreveport in 2018. Before joining Sunset in 2019, Rob spent over 6 years working for the local Area Agency on Aging helping to provide resources and services to those in need. Rob enjoys spending time with his daughter, Eva. 

Tanya Kloenne joined the Sunset family in November 2015 as bookkeeper after 29 years as an accounting manager for Wal-Mart. Raised in Coffee County, she is a graduate of New Brockton High School and Troy University. Tanya enjoys spending time with her husband, Robert, and two daughters, Allex and Viktoria. When possible, she likes to escape to Destin for some shopping or relax by the pool with a good romance novel.

Mallory was raised in the Wiregrass area and is a graduate of Northview High School. She attended college at Wallace and has a background in Elementary Education from Chipola College.

Mallory has worn many hats that include being a catering assistant, a daycare teacher, gardener, and various different volunteer opportunities.

When not at work she enjoys the outdoors and is often somewhere hiking a trail or fishing. Her two boys, Russell and Cayson, are her true joy and are usually right by her side on her outdoor adventures. Mallory lends her heart to the families at Sunset and helps make the memories of their loved ones last for a lifetime. She takes pride in being able to create memorial items for families to treasure after the loss of their loved one.

Tena Ellison’s experience in the art and home décor industry has been invaluable in creating the soothing atmosphere that sets Sunset apart. Originally from Columbus, Georgia, she studied photography, nursing and accounting at Columbus College. In 1993, Tena returned to Dothan to make it her home because of family. Her love of art and gardening allows her to utilize her aesthetic talents with color and composition both inside and outside of the funeral home. Tena’s vision has been instrumental in creating the interior of the funeral home and breathtaking landscaping throughout the grounds.