Brown-Wynne Funeral Homes and Crematory- Raleigh, NC - vaults, caskets, cremation, cemteries, funerals, urns

	William A. Abel Bill began working for Brown-Wynne in August of 2006 after seven years as Parish Administrator of St. Raphael Catholic Church in North Raleigh. Prior, he was Principal of Immaculata School in Durham, NC. Bill has served in the Diocese of Raleigh since 1981 when he and his wife, Pat, came to North Carolina. For the first twelve years Bill was a member of the Communications Department at the Catholic Center. Bill was born in Cleveland, Ohio and graduated from the University of Dayton. He spent the majority of this career in education, teaching high school math and science and being an administrator of school in New York and Maryland. Bill and Pat have been members of St. Raphael Parish for the past fifteen years following eleven years at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. They have served together in a number of charitable organizations including Catholic Parish Outreach, the open Door Clinic and as volunteers for Hospice of Wake County. It is a blessing to serve people at a very tender time in their lives, when they have lost a loved one. All of us at Brown-Wynne are committed to making a difficult time easier.

	Karen Allen Karen Allen, Funeral Director and Location Manager, Cary, is a native of Illinois. A graduate of Fayetteville Technical Community College, Karen has served Brown-Wynne for 17 years in both capacities of pre-need arranging and at-need funeral directing. She and husband, Charles, are members of Mid-Way Baptist Church, Raleigh. They have two adult sons, Matthew and Jeremy, daughter-in-law, Jennifer, and two granddaughters, Ashley and Kelcey. Karen is a volunteer at UNC Healthcare where she has also served on the Board of Family House at UNC Hospitals. Her interests and hobbies include spending time with her grandchildren, gardening and church activities. "My job is all about being there for families at their worst time. Although we honor and care for departed loved ones, we truly serve the living. Over the years, it has been my personal commitment to provide each family I serve the most professional and caring assistance they can receive during such a difficult time. My goal is to help create a meaningful, everlasting, memory, for each family I serve, thereby earning the trust and confidence they have placed in Brown-Wynne Funeral Home and myself."

	Jean Anderson Jean M. Anderson, Secretary, joined the Brown-Wynne staff in 2003. Jean is a member of New Hope Baptist Church, Raleigh. She has two adult sons, Robert and James Anderson. Her interests include gardening, reading, needlework and cooking.

	Elsie Arthur Elsie Arthur joined the Mitchell Funeral Home staff in 2005, she along with her husband Joe help work visitations and services when needed. They live in Garner and are members of The Capital Church on Hwy. 70 and Timber Dr. in Garner. They have four children: Joseph Jr. (Blaine) Arthur of Johannesburg, South Africa; Dr. Kevin Arthur, of Garner, NC; David Arthur, and Dr. Charmaine Arthur, of Cary, NC. Elsie and Joe responded lived and served in Africa as missionaries for many years. They arrived in South Africa on the 16th of September 1964. During their first term in SA, they set up a printing press and a bookstore (Advocate Press and Bookstore) in the local town of Krugersdorp, where they resided . After serving in South Africa for two terms (13 years), they were asked to go to Kenya as the first missionaries for the PH Church. Not only are they still serving in the area of world missions, but they find time to help at the funeral homes. Elsie and Joe enjoy helping out with visitations (wakes) and funerals. This has also been an area of ministry for them both.

	Joe Arthur Joe Arthur joined the staff of Mitchell Funeral Home along with his wife Elsie in 2005. Joe is a retired minister and missionary having served in Africa since 1964. He and Elsie live in Garner and are members of The Capital Church on Hwy. 70 and Timber Dr. in Garner. They have four children: Joseph Jr. (Blaine) Arthur of Johannesburg, South Africa; Dr. Kevin Arthur, of Garner, NC; David Arthur, and Dr. Charmaine Arthur, of Cary, NC. Joe attended Bob Jones University and American University in Washington, DC. During this time, he also did a six-year printing apprenticeship in Washington, DC, and worked as a printer in the Nation’s capital for several years after that before going to the mission field. The goal was to fulfill the role of a printer-missionary, realizing the value of the printed page in reaching the world for Christ. This was a major emphasis in missions at this time. On the 31st of December, 2002 Joe & Elsie stepped down from the position in Africa to enter into retirement, but made plans to make several trips a year not only to Africa, but other countries of the world as well. They are still serving in the area of world missions and they also find time to help serve at the funeral homes as well. Joe and Elsie enjoy helping out with visitations (wakes) and funerals and whenever a family may need a minister, you can always count on Joe to be there.

	Amy Jo Barr Amy Jo Barr, Funeral Director, a native of Wisconsin, relocated from the Eastern Shore of Maryland to Raleigh in 1999. Graduating from Milwaukee Area Technical College - Mortuary Science Program in 1996; my work experience encompasses being an apprentice at my uncle’s funeral home in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, moving to Milwaukee and Maryland as a Funeral Director, and finally with Mitchell Funeral Home at Raleigh Memorial Park, attaining a position in management. Married in 2000 to a Pittsburgh native, John and I have two wonderful daughters who keep us very busy with pre-school activities and dance classes. Both girls were baptized at Sacred Heart Cathedral; where we hold membership and I have served as a Eucharistic Minister. We as a family have settled into Cary and consider the Raleigh Area our home. I am truly thankful to have become a part of Brown-Wynne and Mitchell Funeral Homes and that they have afforded me the ability to find a new balance between work and home. I take pride in my commitment to serve families who have experienced a loss with compassion, attention to even the littlest detail and by working together with the entire staff to make the family’s service a lasting tribute to their loved one.

	Thomas L "Tom" Blalock Tom graduated from Oxford High School in 1953, attended NCSU, was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1955, he and his wife Gail Campbell have been married since 1956, they have three sons, nine grand-children and two great grand-children. Tom has lived in Raleigh since 1960 and is the founder of Blalock Paving Co. After selling his business in 2004 he has been enjoying retirement and doing volunteer work for the USO and Hayes Barton United Methodist Church where he and his wife are members. Tom joined the Mitchell Funeral Home team in 2005.

	Joel E. Branch Joel E. Branch, Funeral Director and Location Manager at the Millbrook location. Joel is a Raleigh native, has served the areas of Greenville, Raleigh, Cary and Lillington, NC during his funeral service career. Joel is a 1990 graduate of Athens Drive High School. He received the Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from Campbell University and later continued his education in the field of Funeral Service at Fayetteville Technical Community College. He received the Certified Preplanning Consultant designation from the National Funeral Director's Association in 2005 and is currently pursuing the Certified Funeral Service Professional (CFSP) designation from the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. Joel is a former Civil Service Technician with the United States Property and Finance Office and a veteran of the NC Army National Guard. He is married to the former Amy Herring, a native of Knightdale and graduate of Meredith College. Their daughters are Sarah, Lydia and Anna Grace Branch.

	Jonathan Brown Jonathan joined the Brown-Wynne and Mitchell Funeral Home staff in 2006 and is a member of the support staff serving in our Central Care Center and Crematory. Jonathan is a native of Raleigh living in the area since 1980, he along with his parents are members of the Garner Church of God. Jonathan personally knows many of the families that we serve and prides himself in serving them as if they were his own. Before joining our team Jonathan worked for UPS and also in sales. He enjoys camping, spending time at the beach and with his family.

	Cary Bunn Cannady Cary Bunn Cannady, Funeral Director, Certified Funeral Service Practitioner, has served Brown-Wynne Funeral Homes since 1981. He is a native of Wake County, a 1975 graduate of Zebulon High School, Cary attended Wilson Community College, Wilson, NC, and graduated from Gupton-Jones College in Atlanta, GA in 1979, and the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice in 1986. He took various courses from the National Foundation of Funeral Service, Evanston, IL from 1983-86. In 1972, Cary was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout, and in 1974 received the God and Country Award. Cary is a member and Deacon of Zebulon Baptist Church, Zebulon, NC. He has served on various committees, including finance, personnel and youth advisory. He served as chairman of the building committee from 2001 - 2004. His involvement as a member of the Rotary Club of Zebulon include, past secretary in 1989 and 1990, and current Vice President and co-chairman of the Annual Fundraising Auction; also, Rotarian of the Year in 2000, and received outstanding service award in 2004. Cary was a former director of the Zebulon Chamber of Commerce for the years 1989-92. Cary is currently serving as the District 5 Director and board member of the North Carolina Funeral Directors Association. He has twice chaired the convention committee. Cary is married to the former Amy Beddingfield, a graduate of Louisburg College, and senior purchasing agent with the NC Department of Agriculture. They have one son, Grayson Cary Cannady. His interests include refinishing furniture, woodworking, antique auctions, coin collecting and spending time with family. "I have a special desire to help others in need. That was a major factor leading me to become a funeral director."

	Sherry D. Coats Sherry D. Coats, Office Manager, has served Brown-Wynne since 1978. A native of Willow Springs, NC, Sherry is a graduate of Cleveland High School and has attended various workshops and seminars in management at Wake Technical College. She is married to Thomas Wayne Coats and they have two children, Kevin and Michelle. At Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church, Sherry serves as Elder, choir member, teacher, young adult leader, Clerk of Session, and WOC Christian Community Officer. She is a past member of the worship committee, Christian education and missions committees. Sherry is a Board member of Pleasant Grove Community Outreach Center. Her interests include singing in a Mt. Pleasant Trio, "The Joyful Singers" - a music ministry for community churches and retirement homes.

	Dot Cooper Bio Coming Soon!

	Don Crowder Don retired from full time ministry in 2000 and started working at Mitchell Funeral Home in 2001. Don now serves as a funeral assistant for Brown-Wynne and Mitchell Funeral Homes and helps with services and also helps with their community outreach projects. He and is wife Claira have lived in the Raleigh area for many years, Don takes joy in knowing that he is serving and helping others.

	Bob Curtis Bob is a native of Long Island, New York. After spending 5 years in Chicago, Illinois, he moved to Raleigh in 1981. He received a Batchelor of Arts degree from New England college in Henniker, NH and while serving as Director of Sales (U.S.) for Black & Decker Mfg. Co., Bob completed an executive program at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Since 1995 he has served in various capacities at Raleigh Memorial Park and Mitchell Funeral Home. He is currently an active member of the Raleigh (Host) Lions club and the Senior Alliance Group. Bob is a parishioner of St. Michaels Church in Cary. While stationed in Frankfurt, Germany with the 503rd Military Police company, he met his wife, Hanna. They have two sons, John and Doug and four grandchildren. Bob has assisted many families in the financial aspects of funeral preplanning in his capacity as Funeral Advanced Planning Counselor.

	Bill Davis Bill Davis, Staff Specialist II, has served Brown-Wynne since 1995. He is a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Cary where he resides. Bill has served on the church council, church finance and property committees, past president of the Congregation, and currently on the Parrish life committee. He also serves on the North Carolina Lutheran Synod Spirituality Committee. Bill is a retired Captain with the Cary Fire Department. For years, Bill has volunteered at the Food Bank of North Carolina. His interests include hiking, reading, music and spiritual retreats.

	Bob Donlon Bob Donlon joined the staff at Raleigh Memorial Park in 1995. As a family service counselor, Bob has served Raleigh Memorial Park by educating families through advance planning and assisting families with their final arrangements. Originally from Long Island, Bob received his Bachelor's Degree from Potsdam College of Arts and Sciences. He and his wife, Meryl, have two sons, Skyler and Adam and a granddaughter named Mariah. Bob has been an active member of the Raleigh Host Lions Club since 1999. In his spare time Bob enjoys spending time with his family and friends, reading and trips to the beach.

	Paul Drewitt Paul and his family recently moved to Wake Forest, NC from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He has been a licensed funeral director since 1996. Attending The University of Western Ontario and continued his studies at Humber College and Technical Institute, Funeral Service Education in Toronto, Ontario, graduating with honors. Paul has worked in London, Ontario; Chilliwack and Abbotsford, British Columbia before coming to Mitchell Funeral Home at Raleigh Memorial Park as General Manager. Paul has been a leader in his community, serving on the Board of Elders at his church, on the Board of the Abbotsford Hospice, small group teacher and coach. Currently, Paul and his wife Jane and four children attend Crossroad Fellowship in Raleigh. He also continues to be involved in the community by coaching his son's roller hockey teams and playing a little hockey himself. "It was when my father- in- law passed away suddenly of a massive heart attack, that I realized the importance of celebrating the life of a dear loved one and having an opportunity to honor his life. I have learned that people don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care. This is why we treat each family as we would want to be treated. I feel very fortunate to be able to serve the people in and around Raleigh and look forward to building many lasting friendships."

	Barb Dunn Barb is a native of South Carolina but moved to Raleigh in 1962. Barb was a volunteer at Aldert Root Elementary, Daniels Junior High and Broughton High School during the time her three children were growing up. she has also been very active at Hayes Barton Baptist church over many years and most recently helped start the Martha Ministry. when her husband became ill in 1982, she went to work as office manager of Camp Oak Hill and Retreat Center, a non-profit Christian organization. She remained in this position until retirement in 2001. She came to work for Mitchell Funeral Home in January, 2002 and helped start a widowed persons activity group. She finds that helping and serving families during one of the most stressful times in their lives is a special calling.

	Jodie D. DuPree Jodie is a licensed Funeral Director and the Family Service Manager of Mitchell Funeral Home and Raleigh Memorial Park. A native of the Raleigh area, Jodie's family has been part of this community for nearly 300 years. Jodie has a A.A.S. Degree in Business Administration and also graduated from Fayetteville Technical College where he studied Funeral Service. Jodie is a current member and past President of the Crabtree Valley Kiwanis Club and is an active member of Vandora 745 in Garner. He is a scratch bowler and president of his league in the Raleigh Bowling Association as well as being an avid golfer. He is married to the former Jeanie Strickland of Garner and he and his wife attend church at the Benson Church of God along with their daughter Haley, and twin sons, Hunter and Clay.

	M. Carlisle Franks A Raleigh native, M. Carlisle Franks, a retired Clinical Chaplain, joined the staff of Brown-Wynne in 2001. He serves as Operations Manager for all three locations. Carlisle has a B. A. Degree from Wake Forest University, and a Master of Divinity Degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary; studied Marriage and Family Therapy with the renowned Virginia Satir and at Case Western Reserve University. Carlisle has served as Adjunct Instructor in the N C Community College System, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Shaw Divinity School. He is a workshop leader in the field of Death and Dying, Grief and Bereavement, Marriage and Family, Communication, Conflict Management, and Human Relations. He served as Chairman of the Nursing Home Advisory Board of Moore Co., Board member of Hospice of N. C., Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sandhills Hospice, and Board member of Pee Dee Council of Government. Carlisle is married to the former Irma Jones, of Raleigh, and they have an adult son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter. Irma and Carlisle are members of Ridge Road Baptist where he teaches Sunday School and serves on the Diaconate. His hobbies include playing the guitar, collecting and refinishing antiques, and auctions.

	William Frazier W. B. Frazier, Staff Specialist III, has served Brown-Wynne since 1995. Bill attended Wake Forest University. He and his wife, Dolores, are members of First Baptist Church, Raleigh. Bill and Dolores have two children, Bill and Dee Ann.

	Mia Giniunans Mia is a native of Finland, she moved to Raleigh with her husband Dan from Maryland in 2006. She is a licensed funeral director and embalmer and she graduated from the Community College of Baltimore County with an A.A.S. in Mortuary Science. Mia is currently serving in our Central Care Center and Crematory. Her dedication and care of the loved ones of the families we serve makes her an important part of our team. She enjoys traveling, outdoors and photography.

	Boyd Graves Bio Coming Soon!

	Earl Griffin Earl joined the staff in 2006, he serves as one of our staff support members helping with funeral services and community outreach programs. He and his wife Yvonne and members of Mount Vernon Baptist Church and have lived in Raleigh since 1963. Earl enjoys working with others and helping families in their time of need. In his spare time he likes to play golf and trips to the beach.

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