Recipient: Nakeia Ross
Recipient Nakeia Ross has passionately yearned to pursue a career in mortuary science since the age of twelve. Throughout her experiences, she would argue that education is the key ingredient and the critical driving force for being successful in the funeral business. Enrolling in the mortuary science program at the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in New York has paved the way for her to study the funeral business at a distance from her home in Denver and still maintain a home, and a work life.
Ross chose the funeral industry because it’s her life calling, she genuinely loves helping families and serving the community in their time of need. “Being in that role during that moment, can help a family during their most difficult time in life–would be a badge of honor–that I would wear proudly,” says Ross.
Ross wants to show others that the funeral industry is a respectable industry to be in, not only to leave a lasting legacy for the families, but to also give an individual’s family a lifetime of beautiful and wonderful memories of their loved ones.
Donor: James E. Churchman Jr Funeral Home
For Dr. Edith Churchman, CFSP it all began in 1863 generations before her, with the birth of her great grandfather James E. Churchman when he decided to leave Virginia to make a move to New Jersey to further his goals of establishing his own business and have a positive impact on the lives of men and women of color. Churchman was a businessman, minister, poet, author, and social activist. However, Rev Churchman’s greatest accomplishment and legacy, which has spanned over 100 years, was the establishment of his funeral home in 1899. He died in 1917 and the torch was passed on to his wife and his son. History reflects his son J. E. Churchman, Sr, was a charter member of the Independent Funeral Directors Association, a forerunner of the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association. J.E. Churchman’s son James E. Churchman, Jr, decided to enter the profession after serving in the United States Navy during World War II and eventually opening a separate facility. He attended the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service.
In 1976 James E. Churchman, III and Edith C. Churchman, another generation, stepped up to the plate and both received their funeral service license as funeral directors and embalmers from the state of New Jersey. At the time, they became the only fourth generation and African American family owned business in Essex County. Currently, the James E. Churchman, Jr Funeral Home is happy to employ James E. Churchman, IV, son of James III and Brandon J. Churchman-West, son of Edith. Edith states that they trust yet another generation of Churchman’s will serve with diligence, compassion, and sincerity, following this story of service from horse to airplane, from pen to computer, from fathers to sons to daughter, from generation to generation.
Donor: Madonna Multinational Home for Funerals
It was August 1984 when Donna R. George arrived at the NFD&MA Convention in New Orleans, with a dream in her head and hope in her heart of opening her own funeral home in her hometown. Passaic, NJ was becoming a melting pot for multi-cultural families that called it home. Madonna says, “I was in town not only to attend the convention but to search for a name for my new funeral home, a place that would serve all nationalities of people. I read every sign that I passed and looked for a sign that would reflect my vision and I asked everyone for their input and any ideas if they took the time to listen. I realized there was a barrier to break that would invite them because blacks went to blacks for service, whites went to whites, and so on and I wanted them to all come to me at the new Madonna Multinational Funeral Home of Passaic.”
Madonna opened her doors in August 1985. It was named Madonna in honor of the mother and child. She changed her name officially to Madonna in 1992 and served hundreds of families of all races and nationalities including Polish, Russian, Africans, Yugoslavians, Chinese, and of course Hispanics and this is just a short list. Her doors are open to all of God’s children with honesty, love, cultural ideas and ethics.
Madonna is a wonderful role model for women entering the mortuary profession and has served as mentors in the Lottie K. Weldon Mentoring Program for the 100 BWFS organization and gotten rave reviews from the students. The 100 BWFS would like to thank Madonna for her many contributions to the women of funeral service; her dedication to give to others, for the ability to not be afraid to teach others what is expected of them, and for honoring her mother and grandmother through the gift of funeral education.