Faces of Newton County 2015 | Page 18

18 l Faces of Newton County 2015 LEVETT from page 8 The business started to expand and Lanier did more and more, including traveling to industry functions. At one such industry function in 1995, Lanier met Dana, and the two got married. In 2013, Dana’s mother, Ariel Young, mentioned her intention to retire, and Lanier and Dana decided to buy her Covington and Monroe funeral home locations, and renamed it Young-Levett Funeral Home. The Covington branch is located at 3106 West Street. “It’s been phenomenal,” Lanier said. “A lot of relationshiops have been established and we’ve been well received down in Newton County.” Throughout the last two years, Lanier and Dana have become involved in the Newton County community becoming involved with local churches and different organizations. “We’re trying to be more and more engaged in the community, and obviously create relationships throughout the community to better serve the community.” Laneir and Dana have two daughters, 15-year-old Journey and 13-year-old Sydnee. As far as Jounrey and Sidnee carrying on the family business, Lanier isn’t sure yet. “They’ve been introduced to it,” Lanier said. “But they haven’t dove into it yet.” cripps from page 9 my police career is about. Dogs have been so prevalent in my career and I think the children are the future of our life.” Cripps is proud of his work with K9s, helping to not only get narcotics off the streets and track children, but also as a community outreach. “I can’t tell you how many hun- The Covington News dreds of kids come up at the police station or at school,” Cripps said. “You have to look at a dog as a tool to prevent crime Bo, Buck and Nina go on a lot of demos.” Doing those demos, and working with the people of Porterdale is a big part of what Cripps loves about his job. “I want to thank the citizens, they really do support me and that’s what makes any police department successful. The citizens are what makes our town so great.” usually wore a suit in insurance sales and I got the job.” Shortly before he was hired at Lamar Ferrell, Johnson was making a difference in his hometown of Covington. He led several causes to get