Recipient Shawann A. Bellamy is expected to graduate in the summer of 2017 from Fayetteville Technical Community College, where she is a member of the National Honor Society and has been recommended by Michael Landon in the education program. She currently is volunteering as a receptionist and funeral director in training at the Noble and Kelsey Funeral Home in North Carolina where she is greeting families as they enter the establishments, answering multi-lined phones completing documents typing, faxing and sending condolence notices and telegrams. Learning and observing in all training situations. Bellamy loves the training as she is becoming acquainted with the business operation as well as watching the embalming and preparation process with a keen eye.

  “It’s very exciting working with this great firm and I have hopes of possibly doing my internship with them or a high caliber firm like this,” Shawann states. “I was able in the past to assist with dressing my late mother, doing her hair, makeup and putting on her jewelry when she passed in 2014 at another firm since I have various prior certifications and vocations, it was so rewarding to be a part of the process. I knew that every part of the Home-Going process is invaluable to a grieving family member. I hope there is someone out there in North Carolina that will be in need of a hardworking, professional and caring intern in the summer of 2017, I am the person for them.”

Donor: Jones Mortuary, Inc

  Charles A. Jones, LFD graduated from the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science. He received his funeral directors and embalmers license in 1976 and established the Jones Mortuary, Inc in East Palo Alto, CA that same year. Upon opening the doors of the new mortuary, he developed a policy to provide free funeral services for babies fewer than one month old, to make sure the families got dignified burial service. Jones has always supported community programs that develop young people. He values education and has quietly assisted more than 187 students complete their higher education.

  Jones currently serves on the Advisory Council for the Department of Mortuary Science at American River College in Sacramento, and has done so for 10 plus years. His daughter Sandra Jones Spencer is a licensed funeral director along with his recently retired and savvy business funeral home manager and sister Myrtle. Because of his dedication and determination, Jones is a successful man. He is a loving husband to Helen Grays Jones, father and grandfather and is an excellent mentor and role model for many; and for more than forty years he has been a good neighbor, philanthropist, colleague and friend to the local peninsula community and the San Francisco Bay Area at large.

  Jones says, “We make a living by what we make; but we make a life by what we give.”

Donor: Wallace Broadview Funeral Home

  Vernon L. Wallace graduated from the Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 1951. He and his wife, Gladys E. Wallace established the Wallace Funeral Home at Cicero and Western Avenues in 1988, and in 1992, relocated to its present location at 2020 Roosevelt to better serve the families throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs in Cook and DuPage counties. His nephew Rory Momon is the next generation of ownership at the Wallace Broadview Funeral Home.

  Wallace participated in church, community, social, civil and humanitarian activities at home and globally. His success came as a direct result of the quality of his work, his integrity in business, his work ethic in the funeral home and the gracious manner in which he related to people regardless of their status in life. He worked tirelessly in the funeral industry as a mentor and role model and always encouraged those interested in funeral service. He took great pride in attending events and graduations at the college and very often allowed students to get their training at his mortuary. He often worked alongside Worsham’s program director, Stephanie Kann.

  Gladys states, “It was a no brainer to set up the Vernon L. Wallace Memorial Scholarship for students who might need some financial assistance. It helps to keep Vernon’s memory alive through the gift of mortuary education especially as a supporter and member of the 100 Black Women of Funeral Service organization.”