Associates

General Manager

Mark has worked in funeral service since 1988. He graduated with honors from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Atlanta and has been personnel manager, location manager and general manager. He is a past president of the Tidewater Funeral Directors Association and director of the board of the Virginia Funeral Directors Association.

As a member of the Kiwanis Club of Norfolk for 25 years, Mark received the Hixon Award, the highest honor for chairing Norfolk Harborfest at Town Point Park, three years in a row. He is a veteran of the U.S. Navy and a father of two. Mark attends Rock Church in Virginia Beach and spends much of his time off at the Kempsville Recreation Center.

ManagerManager

Deborah has been a licensed funeral director for two decades and has served families with the Dignity Memorial network since 2001. She studied at both Cypress and Tidewater community colleges and holds a degree in mortuary science.

Deb and her husband relocated from San Diego to Virginia Beach, Virginia, in 2003, when he was transferred by the U.S. Navy. Deb loves spending time with her husband and their two sons, kicking back to watch movies, and entertaining family and friends.

Manager

Since the early 2000s Sara Likens has provided comfort and detailed care to families in the Dignity Memorial® network. She earned a Bachelor of Science in mortuary studies from the University of Oklahoma, graduating with honors. Beginning her career in the greater Oklahoma City area, Sara moved to Hampton Roads in 2005 after marrying a U.S. Navy sailor. She was honored to be able to continue her career working for Rosewood Kellum Funeral Home and Smith and Williams Funeral Homes. Sara's personal career goal is to provide peace of mind to each family, ensuring that every detail of the service, from beginning to end, is covered.

Sara continues to carefully balance the demands of being a funeral director, Navy wife and mother by cherishing every moment with her family. Together they enjoy taking walks, traveling and playing mini-golf. Sara also finds time to de-stress with yoga.

Funeral Director

Donna has been a member of our team since the mid 2010s, with the goal to comfort and help families during one of the most difficult times in their lives. 

Originally attending college in pursuit of a nursing degree, Donna shifted focus to funeral service after attending her grandfather's funeral. She graduated with honors in 1996 from Jefferson State Community College in Birmingham, Alabama. After graduation, Donna returned to her hometown of Hampton Roads, serving her apprenticeship with Smith and Williams Funeral Home, Kempsville Chapel. She worked her way up to a management position after becoming a licensed funeral director and embalmer.

In 2010, she attended culinary school and pursued a career in pastry art, before feeling the need to, once again, answer the call to serve families. Today, Donna is honored to be "back home" serving the families of our community. 

Funeral Director

Since 2012 Shannon has provided compassionate care to families in the Hampton Roads area. Shannon earned his degree in mortuary science from Tidewater Community College in 2012. He is proud to be a part of the Dignity Memorial® team, guiding you through one of the most personal times in life. As a U.S. Navy veteran who served 11 years, Shannon likes building relationships with our veterans and their families in their time of need. When he is not serving families, Shannon enjoys spending time with his wife and children, playing sports and watching movies.

Lisa attended the University of Central Oklahoma on a baton-twirling scholarship. She graduated at the top of her class with a bachelor’s degree in mortuary science in 1992. She obtained her prerequisite hours at Oklahoma State University, studying agricultural education and economics. A highlight of her college experience was traveling as an exchange ambassador to France for the Reagan administration.

Lisa is the mother of 3 boys and has national taekwondo titles in poomsae, breaking and weapons under the instruction of her oldest, who is a World Champion in breaking.

Funeral Director

Lauren Vespa Thorne graduated with honors from Tidewater Community College with a degree in funeral services in December 2013. In May 2016 she relocated to Charlottesville, Virginia, to begin her career as a funeral director with Teague Funeral Service. Lauren accepted an opportunity in January 2017 to again serve where she apprenticed, Smith and Williams and Rosewood-Kellum funeral homes. Lauren is glad to be a member of the Dignity Memorial® team, serving the families in her home community of Hampton Roads.

When she is not serving families, Lauren enjoys spending time with her husband and their cats, watching movies, playing video games, browsing the Internet and reading.