Karla Cole Green is a mother, third generation funeral director and owner of the James H. Cole Home for Funerals, which was established by her father in 1919. Karla proudly works alongside her sons and fourth generation funeral directors, Antonio and Brice Green in overseeing operation of both facilities located in the Metro Detroit, MI area.
Antonio attended Bowling Green State University before graduating from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 2007. Upon graduation, Antonio joined his family’s business where he is the general manager. Brice started out running the monument end of the business while attending Eastern Michigan University and later graduated from Wayne State University School of Mortuary Science. Together they operate the oldest African American owned funeral home in Detroit.
The Sandra Clark Funeral Home in Dallas, TX was founded more than 30 years ago by Sandra Clark, licensed funeral director and mother of Willie “Tiger” Townes. Townes was a Dallas radio sports celebrity who was intrigued with the funeral industry. After enrolling in the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science, he joined his mother in operating the funeral home as a second generation funeral director. His passion and dedication to the industry as well as his work ethic inspired his brother Daryl to join the firm as a licensed funeral director. Together they make a dynamic trio of funeral professionals in Texas.
NFDMA’s executive director, Dr. Carol Williams, CFSP serves as a licensed funeral director, embalmer and co-owner of Carl M. Williams Funeral Directors and is a former professor at Gupton Jones College of Funeral Service, which is where her son, Carlos Williams obtained his mortuary science degree. Carlos served as a licensed funeral director and embalmer of the former Ivey Brothers Funeral Home, Inc, which later became Carl M. Williams Funeral Directors, Inc, after purchasing it in 1995. The Williams have made funeral service a household word in their community for a great service and professionalism.
Former educator and Miles College graduate, Odessa Johnson, CFSP joined her late husband in co-founding Johnson Memorial Funeral Directors in Bessemer, AL, after working for the late millionaire A.G. Gaston and learning all the aspects of the industry. Her son Howard G. Johnson joined the firm as a licensed funeral director, embalmer and has been serving the funeral home as managing mortician for over 30 years. A graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service and Faulkner University, Howard is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and is an excellent business entrepreneur who owns various businesses in the area but finds time to provide great service to the community alongside his mother in the funeral profession.