Our Founders

Serving the Community Since 1928, Gause Funeral Home had its beginnings in Wilmington, North Carolina, the home of its founders, George Henry and Marie Freeman Gause. George Henry Gause, Sr. had a successful business in Wilmington as a construction architect helping to design naval ships. He also owned a funeral home and a local grocery store. However, he suffered from coronary disease, and his doctor recommended that he pursue less stressful jobs or reduce his workload. After conferring with friends and family members, he decided to relocate to Florida and open a funeral home there. He was encouraged by an uncle living in St. Petersburg to join him there. Upon moving to Florida, he learned that an opportunity to open a new business existed in Bartow, so he moved his family 40 miles west of St. Petersburg to the small, welcoming community of Bartow.

In 1928, Gause Funeral Home was born. Gause Funeral Home was well received by the Polk County community. Its early success was attributed to the founders embracing the community, having compassion for the needs of families during their time of bereavement, and developing the business skills needed in this industry. Unfortunately, in 1933, George Henry Gause died, leaving his wife and four children, namely Annette, Bernice, and twins Evelyn and George Gause, Jr. After the death of her husband, the surviving founder, Marie Freeman Gause, took the helm of this family-owned business. During those early years, she was assisted by local funeral directors in the Bartow area. In later years, twins George Henry and Evelyn Marie Gause assisted their mother in the operation of the business. Both were very active in the community. George H. Gause attended Florida A & M University and the Atlanta College of Mortuary Science.

He married Alve Jones and was the father of Joyce Gause Thurman and Beverly Davis. His sister, Evelyn, maintained a career with Central Life Insurance Company for over 43 years. She represented this company in most of the cities of Polk County, including Wauchula, Ft. Meade, Bowling Green, and Bartow. Evelyn married Isaiah “Rabbit” Sabb and bore a son, George Ronald Sabb, who, as a child, worked in the funeral business and later took the helm of the business. In 1975, after a lengthy illness, founder Marie Freeman Gause died. She left the funeral home jointly to the twins because of their deep commitment to the community and the business. Gause Funeral Home continued providing personal and compassionate attention to families in their time of need, which contributed to its success. Both children were active members of the community.

George H. Gause was the first African American in the Southeastern United States elected to hold the office of Mayor. Moreover, in 1977, he was also the first African American to sit on the Polk County School Board District III, appointed by then Governor Rubin Askew. George H. Gause was a pillar of his community, evidenced by the many merits, trophies, and plaques he received for his outstanding and untiring services rendered to the local, county, and state governments. He was also frequently recognized by many civic and religious organizations. Today, the City of Bartow shares the celebration of Martin Luther King’s Day with George H. Gause. The City hosts a parade and other events to celebrate the holiday honoring the two historical men. Furthermore, the City of Bartow has named two streets in honor of George H. Gause. Evelyn Gause, the surviving twin sibling of George H. Gause, was an active member of the family business until her demise.

For decades, until her death in 2009, her astute business sense helped Gause Funeral Home to remain viable and financially sound. Evelyn worked the operational side of the business and was often the lead directress, providing solace to grieving families in their darkest hour. She maintained a unique connection to the customer that to-date serves as a cornerstone to the family business. George Henry Gause died in 1986, leaving Gause Funeral Home to his sister and surviving spouse, Alve Gause. Until her death in 1998, Alve Gause worked with her sister-in-law, Evelyn Gause, and Evelyn’s son George Ronald Sabb to maintain the business. Both women depended on George Ronald Sabb to maintain the day-to-day responsibilities of running the family business. Upon Evelyn Gause's death, the business is now in the hands of her son George Ronald Sabb and his wife, Charlotta Stephens Sabb. From his earliest years, the son of Evelyn Gause, George Ronald Sabb, took an active role in the funeral business. George Ronald Sabb attended Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida, and the Miami-Dade School of Mortuary Science, receiving his certification in 1970.

Today, George Ronald Sabb continues the Gause legacy by providing personal and compassionate service to families in the Polk County community. He is also committed to community and local government, continuing to maintain an exemplary level of civic involvement established by his uncle, George H. Gause. George Ronald Sabb was elected as Bartow City Commissioner from 1990-1996, serving as Mayor for two terms, 1992 and 1995. He was also Chairman of Bartow Airport Authority for two terms, 1992 and 1995, a member of Bartow’s Zoning Board of Adjustments and Appeals, and a member of the Florida League of Cities. George R. Sabb served as Treasurer of the Florida Black Caucus from 1992-1996. He continues to serve in many local positions as a leading citizen in Polk and surrounding counties. With George Ronald Sabb as its President, Gause Funeral Home underwent major renovations in 1997.

He and his wife, Charlotta Stephens Sabb, updated and expanded the building facilities to accommodate the families of the bereaved. Three Chapels were added and named after founder Marie Freeman Gause. Adjacent property was purchased to provide additional parking. Today, the Gause Funeral Home is a modern, spacious, and comfortable facility. The business continues to grow and support the community at large. Charlotta Sabb, the wife of George Ronald Sabb, assists with operational matters, including work with community organizations that benefit from Gause Funeral Home’s support and sponsorship, aiding grieving families, and managing public relations for the business. George Ronald Sabb and Gause Funeral Home provide an essential service to the community. He endeavors to maintain a family-run, community-based facility that is the opposite of the unfriendly, corporate-run funeral homes that have begun to clutter the American landscape. The first priority of Gause Funeral Home is to ensure that the bereaved family is comforted and carefully navigated through a process that at times can seem overwhelming. Gause Funeral Home helps families to customize their final tribute to their loved one in an affordable, dignified, and graceful environment.