Ramona D. Ellis is a Longview, TX native. She graduated from the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science in 1998, where she was inducted into the mortuary fraternity, Pi Sigma Eta. Ramona joined the staff of Evergreen Memorial Funeral Home, working wakes and services in the evening. She moved up into various positions throughout her career, such as death certificate specialist, lead arranging director, director of safety and is currently serving as director of operations. Ramona is a member of the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, 100 Black Women of Funeral Service, DFW Lady Undertakers, The Selective Service Board, Independent Funeral Directors of Texas, where she serves as a board member, and the Dallas Local Funeral Directors, where she serves as vice president. Ramona enjoys rendering superior service to families in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and surrounding communities. Ramona is committed to excellence in all areas of her professional, community and personal relations.

Kimberly Irvin Silas, Paradise Funeral Home, Houston, TX

  A Floridian native, Kimberly Irvin Silas is a first generation funeral director and embalmer at Paradise Funeral Home where she has served as the general manager the last 16 years.

  Curious about the funeral industry, Kim did volunteer work with a local funeral director in Tampa. Upon relocating to Houston, she enrolled in the Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service, graduating with honors. Kim has received many recognition awards from throughout her community and the city for the community service that she and her colleagues have dedicated themselves to. In 2003, Kim became a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner and was inducted into Epsilon Nu Delta Mortuary Fraternity Inc in 2013. She is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, Texas Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, Houston Metropolitan Funeral Directors Association and the 100 Black Women of Funeral Service. Grounded by her faith in God, Kim says, “serving in this profession is my ministry and although challenging, it is most rewarding!”