Staff

BETHESDA

 William A. Pumphrey

Will Pumphrey is a licensed funeral director/mortician and also holds funeral director licenses in Virginia and Washington, D.C. and holds a Maryland insurance license. Will has been with Pumphrey's since 1996 and has been licensed since 1998. Will is the 6th generation of Pumphreys to serve the Montgomery County community. He was born and raised in Winchester, Kentucky. He is a graduate of George Rogers Clark High School in Winchester, KY, Hampden-Sydney College in Hampden-Sydney, VA and the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in Cincinnati, OH.

Will is active in the Selected Independent Funeral Homes organization, the District of Columbia Funeral Directors Association, member of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rotary Club and the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce. He is also a member of the National Funeral Directors Association. Will, his wife Anna and their daughters, Morgan and Dade, reside in Poolesville, Maryland and are members of the Potomac United Methodist Church.

 Robert J. Farrah

Robert Farrah is a native Washingtonian who grew up in Silver Spring, MD. He graduated from Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School in 1972 and began his career with Pumphrey's that summer. He graduated from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 1976, returned to Bethesda and has been a licensed funeral director/mortician in Maryland since. He also holds funeral director licenses in Virginia and Washington, D.C. Robert is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association and the Maryland State Funeral Directors Association. He married Linda O'Brien of Chevy Chase and has two daughters, Renee and Monica. He enjoys the beach, fishing, sports, music and annual family reunions. With over 40 years of experience in funeral service, he still appreciates the challenge each day brings.

 George T. Kephart

George is a fifth generation Montgomery Countian. He was born in Bethesda, Maryland. George has worked at Pumphrey's since he graduated from Magruder High School in 1973. He is also a 1982 graduate of the Catonsville Community College Mortuary Science program. George is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association. He is an enthusiast in regards to classic Lincoln automobiles.

 Angelette Rawls-Bannister

Angelette was born and raised in Decatur, Illinois. She was the second of three children. She graduated from Stephen Decatur High School in 1982. Angelette went to Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN. She graduated from the University of the District of Columbia in Washington, D.C. in 2001 with a degree in mortuary science. She has a son, Merv. They are both members of the People's Community Baptist Church located in Silver Spring, MD where they reside. She has been employed at Pumphrey's since 1996. She is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association and the District of Columbia Funeral Directors Association.

 John Prunner

John is a native Washingtonian who grew up in Prince George's County. He is a graduate of Du Val Senior High School, Fairmont State College and the Catonsville Community College Mortuary Science Program. John retired from the United States Navy after 21 years of service. He married Candice L. Black and has three children, Christine Ricketts, Karen Eaton and David Prunner. John has been employed with Pumphrey's in a part-time capacity since 1995 and came aboard full-time in January 2008. John and his wife are parishioners of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Frederick. He enjoys the beach, the mountains and home re-modeling projects. John is a member of the National Funeral Director's Association.

 Rob Karish

Rob is a licensed funeral director/mortician and also holds a funeral director license in Pennsylvania. He was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. Rob is a graduate of the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. He moved to Maryland in 2010 and has been employed by Pumphrey’s since then. In his free time Rob enjoys watching and playing all sports, working out, and travelling.

 Rachel Green

Rachel Green was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. She moved to the DC metro area during her junior year of high school. Rachel graduated from the Mortuary Science program at the University of the District of Columbia in 2008. She also attended Georgetown University, where she studied Psychology. Funeral service is a second career for her; she was a Cardiovascular Technician for over twelve years. Rachel also holds a funeral director/embalmer’s license in the state of Virginia, where she began her career in funeral service. When not working, Rachel enjoys taking photographs, reading historical fiction, writing, lifting weights, and running.

 Frank J. Dooley, Jr.

Frank J. Dooley Jr. is a third generation funeral director. He attended the McAllister School of Mortuary Science in New York City, NY where he earned his degree in Mortuary Science. He has been a funeral director for over 30 years. Born and raised in Cranford, New Jersey, Frank, and his wife, Aileen relocated to Virginia over five years ago to be closer to their two daughters Bridget & Mollie. He and his wife reside in Falls Church, VA and are members of the St. James Roman Catholic Church. Frank enjoys visiting the New Jersey shore, walking every day and spending time with his family.

 Eric Scerbo

 Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer

 James C. Conner

Jim was raised in New Brunswick, New Jersey where he was graduated from Rutgers College and the Graduate School of Education at Rutgers University. After college Jim served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. When he left military service Jim pursued overlapping careers in teaching and business. In 1989 Jim moved to Bethesda, Maryland to be with family and soon thereafter joined the staff at Pumphrey's. Jim's church and various hobbies keep him busy when he is not working at the funeral home.

 Doris Michaud

Doris retired after 27 years from a most rewarding career at Washington, D.C.'s prestigious Madison Hotel, where she met and befriended some of the world's most famous and influential people. Doris joined the staff at Pumphrey's since March of 2000 as a full time greeter. Doris considers her beloved pets family and she supports many animal rights groups. Her interests include dining out with friends, listening to classical music and the local band "the Nighthawks", and reading mystery novels. She is a widow and has lost her only two children tragically.

 Blake Castillo

Blake is a funeral director assistant. He was born in Silver Spring and was raised in Lanham. In addition to assisting the funeral directors, Blake helps make clients and guests as comfortable as possible. On his free time, he loves to work on his cars and play basketball, football and soccer. Blake spends most of his free time with his son, Jayden.

 Neil Lonsway

Neil is a funeral director assistant. He was born in Toronto, Canada spent most of his childhood in West Africa. He earned his BFA from The Maryland Institue College of Art, and has been working at Pumphrey's since 2012. In his free time he enjoys rock climbing and drawing.

 Pavel Cespedes

Funeral Assistant

 Terri J. Daniels

Terri was born and raised in Utah. She graduated from Snow College and Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics Education. She has lived in Waldorf, Maryland since 1988 and began working at Pumphrey's in 1992 and is the secretary and responsible for accounts receivables. Terri has 2 daughters, 1 son and 1 grandson. They are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She volunteers with Girl Scouts and coaching her youngest daughter in Upward Cheerleading and Basketball. When she can find time, she enjoys reading and sewing.

 Liz McGrath

Liz is an administrative assistant. She helps by answering our phones, assisting funeral directors with computer work, and assisting Terri with other duties.

 Clint Meyer

Clint started with Pumphrey’s at the beginning of 2010 and is responsible for the day-to-day accounting activities of the funeral home. When he’s not working, Clint enjoys playing golf and spending time with his wife and their six dogs. Prior to joining Pumphrey’s, Clint managed a construction company, worked in healthcare and proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps.

 Warner Parks

Warner is a funeral director assistant in Bethesda and a greeter in Rockville. He was born and raised in Rockville and graduated from Rockville High School in 1976. Warner has been employed with Pumphrey's since 1994. He is married to Renee, has three children Brigitte, Kristina and Nickolas, and has one grandchild, Charlotte. His interests include hunting, football, baseball, and shooting trap, skeet and sporting clays.

 Bill Ivory

Bill has served as a funeral director assistant since 2010. A native of Detroit, he is a former Marine and a graduate of the University of Maryland. He has been officiating high school sports in the metropolitan area since 1994.

 Surrindar "Sonny" Gidda

Sonny has been with Pumphrey's since 1991. He is primarily in charge of taking care of the building and grounds, cleaning the vehicles and operating the crematorium. Sonny also helps with whatever needs to be done around the funeral home.

 Eric Jean-Baptiste

Eric has been with Pumphrey's since 1996. He is primarily in charge of taking care of the building and grounds, cleaning the vehicles and operating the crematorium. Eric also helps with whatever needs to be done around the funeral home.

 Frankie McKinney

Frankie has been with Pumphrey's since 1992. She is responsible for making sure the inside of the funeral home is clean and tidy.

ROCKVILLE

 David E. Perry, MBIE, CFSP

David grew up in Rockville, MD. He graduated from Richard Montgomery High School in 1982 and started his career with Pumphrey's the following December. He graduated from Montgomery College in 1986 and from the Catonsville Community College Mortuary Science program in 1988. He received his Maryland Mortician's License shortly after graduation from mortuary school. David is a graduate and member of the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practitioners, the Funeral Ethics Association, the British Institute of Embalmers and the National Funeral Directors Association. He married Donna T. Colella of Bethesda, MD and has two sons, Michael Dominic and Matthew David. David and his family are parishioners of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Rockville.

 Don Bradshaw

Don was born and raised in Illinois and moved to this area in 1973. He has been a part-time greeter at Pumphrey's since 1976. He helps visitors to the funeral home find what they need, answers their questions, and tries to make them as comfortable as possible. He also assists the funeral directors with some of their administrative duties as needed.

 John E. Parker, C.F.S.P., C.P.C.

John E. Parker attended Xavier University and the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. He holds funeral director/mortician and life & health insurance licenses in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. John is a member of the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice.

During his career John has volunteered for a number of professional, civic and business organizations, as well as church, school, and community groups. He served on the Northern Virginia Regional Task Force for End of Life Issues.

John has lived in Silver Spring since 1990. His interests include sports and outdoor activities. He enjoys hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, woodworking and is an endurance runner. He is a member of the Montgomery County Road Runners Club. He has qualified and run in the Boston Marathon and has completed the John F. Kennedy 50 Mile Ultra Marathon.

 Robert Potterfield

Bob is a native of the area, being born and raised in Leesburg, Virginia. He graduated from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in 1972. Bob is a licensed funeral director/mortician in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. He holds insurance licenses in Maryland and in Virginia. Bob has been in funeral service for over forty years and has been involved as a Director, Operations Manager, Owner, Consultant, Senior Director and Director of Advance Planning. For relaxation and fun, Bob enjoys his being with his family. His interests include cars, the restoration of classic cars and travel.

 Paul Barrett

Paul is a part-time greeter.