History & Staff

We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.

Our History

Our History

Chance & Hydrick Funeral Directors has been locally owned and operated by Reuben Chance and Phil Hydrick since it was established in 2004. Together they bring 50 plus years of professional experience to the company. We have maintained the tradition of exceeding the expectations of the families we serve. We are honored to be allowed membership in the prestigious funeral organizations NFDA (National Funeral Directors Association), the IFDG (Independent Funeral Directors of Georgia), the GFDA (Georgia Funeral Directors Association), and the CANA (Cremation Association of North America.)

The death of a loved one is emotionally devastating and financially difficult. We are compassionate, accommodating, understanding, and welcoming. We are here to serve you with the respect you and your loved one deserve. We strive to lessen the stress, anxiety, and grief that families feel during times of loss. Families can depend on us to plan personal, lasting memorials for their loved ones and our professional staff commits to guide every family through the many hard decisions that must be made during the challenging and emotional time of losing their loved one.

Our funeral chapel is the largest in Augusta, with a seating capacity of 450. We also know it is the little things that our families hold dear, whether through a personal video, a photo collage, or the integration of personal items into the funeral service, we work with families to make each service unique and meaningful.

If you need help making funeral or cremation arrangements, or are looking for general information on preplanning your funeral, please feel free to look around our website, call us at 706-790-8567, or stop by in person.

Our Valued Staff

  • Reuben C Chance IV

    Reuben C Chance IV, Owner and Funeral Director and Embalmer

    Reuben, owner of Chance & Hydrick Funeral Directors, has been involved in funeral service for over 40 years. Reuben has lived in Burke and Richmond Counties all of his life. He is a graduate of Edmund Burke Academy, Waynesboro, and Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service, in Atlanta. He is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in both Georgia and South Carolina and is a member of the Georgia Funeral Directors Association, the National Funeral Directors Association, and the Academy of Graduate Embalmers, and is an active member of Wesley United Methodist Church, Evans, GA. He is married to Debra Holt Chance, and together they have a daughter, Raleigh Catherine Chance-Aguirre, and a son, Pen Chance.

  • Phil Hydrick

    Phil Hydrick, Owner and Funeral Director and Embalmer

    Phil, owner of Chance & Hydrick Funeral Directors, was drawn to the funeral business by his desire to help others. He is a native of the CSRA and a graduate of Evans High School, and Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service, in Atlanta. He is a member of the Georgia Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association, and is an active member of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Augusta. He is married to Lora Hillesland Hydrick and they have one daughter, Mary Catherine Casella Ramos.

  • Debra Chance

    Debra Chance, Controller

    Debra is a native of Augusta and a graduate of Hephzibah High School. She earned degrees from both Augusta College and the Medical College of Georgia. She is a member of Wesley United Methodist Church and past Treasurer for the Augusta Players. She is married to Reuben Chance.

  • Margaret  Wehn

    Margaret Wehn, Receptionist and Visitation

    Margaret, a native of Augusta, began working with Chance & Hydrick in 2011. She is an active member of Fleming Baptist Church and has spent time doing mission work in Russia and Romania.

  • Timothy Pendrey, Ph.D.

    Timothy Pendrey, Ph.D., Administrator

    Tim, a native of Augusta, is a graduate of Butler High School, and has been with Chance & Hydrick since 2012. He pastors two local churches, Duharts Baptist Church and Providence Baptist Church, both in Jefferson County. Tim has served as a Chaplain at University Hospital since 2001, he has a Ph.D. in Christian Counseling and is a lifetime member of the Georgia Christian Counselors Association.

  • Chris Williford

    Chris Williford, Funeral Assistant

    Chris, a native of Sandersville, Georgia, has lived in Augusta since 2007. He is a licensed and ordained minister through the International Pentecostal Holiness Church. He serves as Pastor at Believers Fellowship in Evans.

  • Rusty Anderson

    Rusty Anderson, Funeral Director / Embalmer

    Wm. R. “Rusty” AndersonRusty joined Chance & Hydrick Funeral Directors in 2023 as a licensed funeral director and embalmer in both South Carolina and Georgia. Originally from Macon, Georgia, having made North Augusta, South Carolina his home since 1996. Rusty graduated from Gupton Jones College of Mortuary Science in 1983. Professionally, he is a member the National Funeral Directors Association and the Academy of Graduate Embalmers. He is a member of the First Baptist Church of North Augusta where he sings in the Sanctuary Choir and Vocal Team. Rusty is married to Donna Holder Anderson, and they have one daughter, Jesslyn Anderson Pearson, who is married to Zach Pearson. Rusty and Donna have two granddaughters, Evie Diane Pearson and Ellis Payton Pearson. Rusty enjoys the outdoors, playing the piano, singing, traveling, and spending time with his family.

  • Banita Pendrey

    Banita Pendrey, Office Manager

    Banita, a Florida native, moved to Augusta in 1987, after ten years of property management, she was employed with Trinity Hospital, and has been with Chance and Hydrick since 2018. She is an active member at Duharts and Providence Baptist Churches, where her husband, Tim Pendrey is the Pastor. She is the mother of four sons, and eight grandchildren.