Staff

BETHESDA

William A. Pumphrey

Will Pumphrey is a licensed funeral director/mortician and also holds an 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 and his wife Anna 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. Robert is a member of the National 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 30 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.

Seth Minso

Seth has been a resident of the Washington, D.C. metro area since 1995 and a member of Pumphrey's staff since 2001. He has been licensed as a funeral director/mortician in Maryland since 1992 and Virginia since 1993. Seth's primary responsibility at Pumphrey's is to provide information to those who are doing advanced planning for themselves, a family member or a friend. Although this type of planning is usually done on an individual basis, Seth also offers community service seminars entitled, "Funeral Planning 101" for any organization that might want to learn more about funerals in a group setting.

Jeremy R. Shoemaker

Jeremy is originally from Amberson, Pennsylvania and now resides in Gaithersburg, Maryland. He graduated from Fannett-Metal High School in 1997. Upon graduation he joined the U.S. Air Force and served from 1997 to 2000. He served in Spain and Saudi Arabia. He attended Park University and the University of North Dakota (Lake Region) while in the Air Force. Jeremy graduated from mortuary school at the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in 2002 with an embalming diploma and an Associates Degree in Specialized Business. He has been licensed as a funeral director/mortician and an insurance salesman since 2002. He is a member of the District of Columbia Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association. He is a regular member of the American Legion Post 232, Dry Run, PA. He enjoys hunting and weight training.

Gary J. Robbins

Gary moved to Maryland from Utah. Gary became interested in funeral service while serving in the U.S. Army as a member of the "Old Guard" at Fort Myer, Virginia where his duties included military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. He has been a licensed funeral director for over 20 years. He graduated from Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho. He graduated from Cypress College in Cypress, California with a degree in Mortuary Science. He is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association. He is the father of three grown daughters and has three granddaughters. Two of his daughters and all of his granddaughters live in the Washington, D.C. area. He is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and attends the Montgomery Village Ward. His outside interests include visiting Civil War sites and reading biographies of Abraham Lincoln.

James C. Conner

Jim was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, but grew up 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.

Shawn M. Johnson

Shawn was born and raised in Pennsylvania. He is a graduate of Point Park University and The Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. Shawn relocated to Maryland in June of 2005 to pursue a career in funeral service with Pumphrey's. After serving an apprenticeship, he earned his Funeral Director's license in April 2006. In addition to being a licensed funeral director, Shawn is also a trained Crematory Operator, receiving certification in September, 2005. He married his high school sweetheart Ryann Liszka, formerly of Rockville, shortly before moving to Maryland. They reside in Frederick. When not serving families at Pumphrey's, Shawn enjoys taking care of his pets, watching sporting events and relaxing with family and close friends.

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.

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.

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.

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

Neil E. Piner

Neil was born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Rockville, Maryland. Neil started working in the funeral industry after graduating from Richard Montgomery High School in 1985. He began working for Pumphrey's in 1985 as a parking attendant and then later becoming a greeter. Neil served his apprenticeship with Pumphrey's and graduated from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in March of 1990. Neil has been serving our client families in Rockville since 1996 as Assistant Manager. Neil is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association. Neil has been married to his wife, Suzanne since 1993. Suzanne gives Neil the encouragement he needs to be the best he can be. Neil loves people and is dedicated to providing professional and compassionate service to all families in their time of need.

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 Practicioners, 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.

Shirley Davidson

Shirley has been with Pumphrey's since 1981. Her title is greeter. Shirley assists families and guests when they enter and leave the building. She also assists in making everyone's visit as pleasant as possible while at the funeral home. Shirley also assists Neil and David with daily administrative tasks.