Leadership

Gregg Faulkner, Sr. is co-owner and president of Faulkner Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, with the Foster-Faulkner Chapel in Mathews, Bristow-Faulkner Chapel in Saluda, and Marks-Bristow Chapel in Tappahannock. Gregg is also co-owner and vice-president of Tri-County Vault Company, which serves funeral homes on the Peninsula, Middle Peninsula, and Northern Neck with high quality Eagle Vault products and services. In July of 2021, Gregg and his brother Billy also opened River Country Pet Loss & Cremation Center in an effort to provide pet families in their area the same dignity, care, and excellent service they strive to provide at their other businesses. Gregg is an ordained Minister and loves the opportunity to fill in when needed at several local churches. His hobbies are boating and fishing in the beautiful Piankatank River and Chesapeake Bay, and doing yardwork at his home. He and his wife Valerie, live in Cobbs Creek, Virginia.

Dave has served families at John M. Oakey & Son since 2002, where he serves as the Manager.  He was born in Waynesboro, Virginia, and moved to Salem with his parents when he was just 2 weeks old.  He graduated from Salem High School in 1990, earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Religion from Southern Wesleyan University in 1994, and received an ordination certificate from The Wesleyan Church in 1996.  Dave served as a full-time assistant pastor for eight years.  During his ministry, however, Dave pondered over his passion for funeral service that began even as a teenager.  It was in 2002 that Dave began directing his compassion toward funeral service and joined the John M. Oakey & Son staff as a resident trainee.  He studied mortuary science at John Tyler Community College, was awarded an Associate in Applied Science Degree with a major in Funeral Services in 2005, and received his funeral director’s license in February of 2006.  Dave thoroughly enjoys all aspects of funeral service and considers his involvement in it not as an occupation but as a calling.  He and his wife, Kim, together have 3 beautiful children, Jillian, Dawson, and Iliana.  He is a member of the Salem Kiwanis Club, the National Funeral Directors’ Association, former President of the Blue Ridge Funeral Directors’ Association, and current member-at-large on the Virginia Funeral Directors’ Association board.  Dave enjoys, camping, hiking, reading, writing, and traveling in his spare time.

I have served the commonwealth of Virginia since 2007 as a Funeral Service Licensee.  I knew from a young age that funeral service was what I wanted to do.  I began my career in my hometown of Big Stone Gap, Va., in 2002, before obtaining my degree in Mortuary Science from Gupton- Jones College in Atlanta, Ga.  Upon graduation, I returned home and served my apprenticeship.

I met my wife, Amanda who is also a Funeral Service Licensee in 2012 and we have been married since 2015.  We live in historic Abingdon, Va. and have served our community collectively for nearly 25 years.  My wife and I are first generation, but we have devoted our lives to funeral service because we wholeheartedly believe in serving our community and profession to the best of our abilities.

My wife and I are members of Abingdon Baptist Church.  We are the owners of Perry Cremation & Funeral Alternatives in Abingdon, Va.  I also serve as a Funeral Service Licensee at Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff, Va. 

Having been a member of the board of directors since 2014.  I feel it a true honor to serve this association as president for the 2023-2024 term.

Margaret Adair Edie was born in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania she and her family settled in Stafford, Virginia in 1991. After she graduated from high school, Margaret continued with her education by becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant and worked on the Palliative Care Unit at Mary Washington Hospital. Wanting to further her education, Margaret enrolled in the Mortuary Science Program at Jefferson State Community College in Birmingham, Alabama. She relocated back to Virginia and graduated in 2008 from John Tyler Community College. Margaret served her internship under the mentorship of Barry Murphy at Murphy Funeral Home in Arlington, Virginia. Once she completed her internship, she continued working with Murphy Funeral Home and grew as a director with high profile funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery and followed contract instructions from the US Army regarding services for active-duty soldiers and the repatriation of remains found from past wars. She was also involved with multicultural services and community outreach, becoming a licensed funeral director in the state of Maryland and the District of Columbia.

In 2011, Margaret met her husband, Brion Edie who was stationed at Fort Myer Army Base as a medical with the Presidential Guard. They were married in the spring of 2013, and in October 2014 they welcomed their only child, Mea Marie. Wanting to establish roots, Margaret and Brion decided to relocate their family to the Richmond area and moved to Chesterfield, Virginia in 2018. Margaret gained employment at Morrissett Funeral & Cremation Service and over time became the General Manager. In 2022, Margaret had the opportunity to purchase Morrissett Funeral & Cremation Service, where she plans to continue the vision and legacy of the previous owners.

Margaret enjoys spending time with her family and their new dog, Grace, who is training to be an additional comfort dog at Morrissett. The Edie family enjoys cookouts, spending time with friends and family, working in the flower garden, creating unique arts and crafts, and international travel. They are members of Meadowbrook Country Club where Mea Marie has joined the swim team and has plans to go to the Olympics when she grows up. Margaret is the current President of the CDFDA and a member of the VFDA and NFDA. She is the President of the Shepherd’s Center of Chesterfield, where she has an active role with planning for and assisting the 60+ community of Chesterfield.

Lindsey was born in Augusta, GA and grew up in North Augusta, SC. She is a first generation funeral director, having become interested in the profession following the loss of three of her grandparents in one year. 

She attended the University of South Carolina before transferring to the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 2007.  In 2008, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Mortuary Science. Following graduation, she moved to the Shenandoah Valley where she served her internship under the supervision of Scott Slaven at Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes in Waynesboro, VA. In November 2010, she obtained her Virginia license as a funeral director and embalmer. Upon completion of her internship, her professional development continued at Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes where she has continued for over a decade to provide dignified, respectful and compassionate care to every family she serves.

Lindsey’s professional awards include Intern of the Year for 2009-2010 by Keystone North America Inc., SCI’s Living the Brand Market award in 2013 and 2018 Rookie of the Year by the Shenandoah Valley Funeral Directors Association. She is a member of the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice having earned the credentials of Certified Funeral Service Practitioner in 2013. In 2023 Lindsey was honored to be chosen to be featured on Bruce Goddard’s podcast View From a Hearse, episode 77 “Women in Funeral Service”. Currently Lindsey serves as the secretary for the Shenandoah Valley Funeral Directors Association.

In her spare time Lindsey’s interests include traveling, hiking, antiquing, vegetable gardening, canning, watching college football, especially her Carolina Gamecocks, and being mother to her two Snowshoe cats, Mabel and Lucy.

Eric Vaughn Wray II is a native of Portsmouth, a resident of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and has over 25 years experience in the Funeral industry and serves as our Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer; holding dual licenses in Virginia & North Carolina.

Eric received his education from the Portsmouth Public School System and holds an Associate’s in Applied Science Degree in Funeral Service from John Tyler Community College in Chester, VA. Eric has also matriculated at Norfolk State University and is a graduate of the University of Virginia’s historic Thomas C. Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership program.

Eric was appointed in 2011 by Governor Bob McDonnell to serve as the youngest member in the Commonwealth’s history, on the Virginia State Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers. During his tenure, Eric served as Secretary/Treasurer of the board.

Eric Wray also has served our country during the terror attacks on September 11, 2001 in the United States Navy. His service includes duty stations in Great Lakes, IL, Meridian MS, and Newport, RI. Eric is also active in many community and civic organizations.

In his community service, Eric has been able to bring pastors, community, faith, civic, and labor leaders together with National, State, and Local elected officials. He has joined with various political campaigns, who desired to improve the lives of working families, on issues and helped organize a majority in Virginia across race, class, and political lines.

Professional & Local Associations

Board Member/Secretary Virginia State Board of Funeral Directors

Board Member Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad Foundation

Past President -Tidewater Funeral Directors Association

President/CEO of the Virginia Burial Foundation Inc.

Board Member – City of Virginia Beach Community Development Corporation

Member of the National Funeral Directors Association

Board Member of the Virginia Funeral Directors Association 

Vice-Chairman City of Portsmouth Board of Housing

Member City of Portsmouth Social Services Board

Executive Secretary of Board of Directors-YMCA of Hampton Roads

For over 3 decades, Paul Whitten has been honored to serve families in the greater Lynchburg area through the funeral home that bears his name. Paul is a 3rd generation funeral director and from a very young age knew he wanted to follow his grandfather and firm founder, W.C. “Red” Whitten. He is a 1988 graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Funeral service, a certified cremation arranger, a member of the Virginia Funeral Directors Association and a past president of the Virginia Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers. Paul and his wife, Marnie, are members of Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg. They enjoy traveling and RVing with their two sons.

Josh Arbogast has over 14 years of Graphic Design and marketing experience. He has a vast array of skills and has put those skills to work in many industries ranging from the fitness, power monitoring, medical, mortgage and banking industries. He says, “joining the VFDA is an amazing opportunity to help bring a refresh to the association, and help to drive the association to bigger and better things.” The new VFDA logo was a creation design of his, and we look forward to him helping us going forward. 

Josh is a life-long native of the Shenandoah Valley, grew up in Bridgewater, VA, and lives in Harrisonburg, VA. When not working, Josh likes to spend time with Trex, his Bernese mountain dog. He enjoys cycling and being outdoors exploring new places and sights. He also likes to build and restore furniture. “Designing, building, and being creative is something that drives me, and are just a few things that I am passionate about.”

“I look forward to helping the association in any way possible and am always here and open to having a conversation with anyone at any time.”

Margaret Adair Edie was born in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania she and her family settled in Stafford, Virginia in 1991. After she graduated from high school, Margaret continued with her education by becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant and worked on the Palliative Care Unit at Mary Washington Hospital. Wanting to further her education, Margaret enrolled in the Mortuary Science Program at Jefferson State Community College in Birmingham, Alabama. She relocated back to Virginia and graduated in 2008 from John Tyler Community College. Margaret served her internship under the mentorship of Barry Murphy at Murphy Funeral Home in Arlington, Virginia. Once she completed her internship, she continued working with Murphy Funeral Home and grew as a director with high profile funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery and followed contract instructions from the US Army regarding services for active-duty soldiers and the repatriation of remains found from past wars. She was also involved with multicultural services and community outreach, becoming a licensed funeral director in the state of Maryland and the District of Columbia.

In 2011, Margaret met her husband, Brion Edie who was stationed at Fort Myer Army Base as a medical with the Presidential Guard. They were married in the spring of 2013, and in October 2014 they welcomed their only child, Mea Marie. Wanting to establish roots, Margaret and Brion decided to relocate their family to the Richmond area and moved to Chesterfield, Virginia in 2018. Margaret gained employment at Morrissett Funeral & Cremation Service and over time became the General Manager. In 2022, Margaret had the opportunity to purchase Morrissett Funeral & Cremation Service, where she plans to continue the vision and legacy of the previous owners.

Margaret enjoys spending time with her family and their new dog, Grace, who is training to be an additional comfort dog at Morrissett. The Edie family enjoys cookouts, spending time with friends and family, working in the flower garden, creating unique arts and crafts, and international travel. They are members of Meadowbrook Country Club where Mea Marie has joined the swim team and has plans to go to the Olympics when she grows up. Margaret is the current President of the CDFDA and a member of the VFDA and NFDA. She is the President of the Shepherd’s Center of Chesterfield, where she has an active role with planning for and assisting the 60+ community of Chesterfield.

Born in Brooklyn, NY and raised in Queens. Gary lived over a funeral home when he was 10 and then went to school to pursue his career. Gary has worked at funeral homes in NY and Portsmouth, VA , before settling in Northern, VA. He worked in Manassas for 6 years, Fairfax for 15 years, and has been with the Cunningham Turch and Mountcastle Turch for the last 7 years.

He enjoys watching NY Rangers Hockey, NHRA Drag Racing, and NASCAR.  A Past President and current member of Fairfax Host Lions Club, Member of Knights of Columbus, John Paul 1 Council.

He enjoys spending time with family and going on vacation.

Lindsey was born in Augusta, GA and grew up in North Augusta, SC. She is a first generation funeral director, having become interested in the profession following the loss of three of her grandparents in one year. 

She attended the University of South Carolina before transferring to the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 2007.  In 2008, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Mortuary Science. Following graduation, she moved to the Shenandoah Valley where she served her internship under the supervision of Scott Slaven at Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes in Waynesboro, VA. In November 2010, she obtained her Virginia license as a funeral director and embalmer. Upon completion of her internship, her professional development continued at Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes where she has continued for over a decade to provide dignified, respectful and compassionate care to every family she serves.  

Lindsey’s professional awards include Intern of the Year for 2009-2010 by Keystone North America Inc., SCI’s Living the Brand Market award in 2013 and 2018 Rookie of the Year by the Shenandoah Valley Funeral Directors Association. She is a member of the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice having earned the credentials of Certified Funeral Service Practitioner in 2013. In 2023 Lindsey was honored to be chosen to be featured on Bruce Goddard’s podcast View From a Hearse, episode 77 “Women in Funeral Service”. Currently Lindsey serves as the secretary for the Shenandoah Valley Funeral Directors Association.

In her spare time Lindsey’s interests include traveling, hiking, antiquing, vegetable gardening, canning, watching college football, especially her Carolina Gamecocks, and being mother to her two Snowshoe cats, Mabel and Lucy.

For over 3 decades, Paul Whitten has been honored to serve families in the greater Lynchburg area through the funeral home that bears his name. Paul is a 3rd generation funeral director and from a very young age knew he wanted to follow his grandfather and firm founder, W.C. “Red” Whitten. He is a 1988 graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Funeral service, a certified cremation arranger, a member of the Virginia Funeral Directors Association and a past president of the Virginia Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers. Paul and his wife, Marnie, are members of Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg. They enjoy traveling and RVing with their two sons.

Eric Vaughn Wray II is a native of Portsmouth, a resident of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and has over 25 years experience in the Funeral industry and serves as our Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer; holding dual licenses in Virginia & North Carolina.

Eric received his education from the Portsmouth Public School System and holds an Associate’s in Applied Science Degree in Funeral Service from John Tyler Community College in Chester, VA. Eric has also matriculated at Norfolk State University and is a graduate of the University of Virginia’s historic Thomas C. Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership program.

Eric was appointed in 2011 by Governor Bob McDonnell to serve as the youngest member in the Commonwealth’s history, on the Virginia State Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers. During his tenure, Eric served as Secretary/Treasurer of the board.

Eric Wray also has served our country during the terror attacks on September 11, 2001 in the United States Navy. His service includes duty stations in Great Lakes, IL, Meridian MS, and Newport, RI. Eric is also active in many community and civic organizations.

In his community service, Eric has been able to bring pastors, community, faith, civic, and labor leaders together with National, State, and Local elected officials. He has joined with various political campaigns, who desired to improve the lives of working families, on issues and helped organize a majority in Virginia across race, class, and political lines.

Professional & Local Associations

Board Member/Secretary Virginia State Board of Funeral Directors

Board Member Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad Foundation

Past President -Tidewater Funeral Directors Association

President/CEO of the Virginia Burial Foundation Inc.

Board Member – City of Virginia Beach Community Development Corporation

Member of the National Funeral Directors Association

Board Member of the Virginia Funeral Directors Association 

Vice-Chairman City of Portsmouth Board of Housing

Member City of Portsmouth Social Services Board

Executive Secretary of Board of Directors-YMCA of Hampton Roads

Angie Bezik originally founded Principle Advantage Government Relations Group, LLC, a Hampton Roads-based public relations and government relations firm, in 2009. Angie develops and implements successful strategies for legislation, budget items and project coordination with an array of clients at the state and local level, including clients within the alternative/renewable energy, health, technology, and transportation sectors, and local government and quasi-governmental authorities. Additionally, she works with businesses and organizations to develop strategic plans to enhance their profiles, missions and branding by making introductions to appropriate businesses, government officials and staff, community leaders and organizations.

Angie started her political and public relations career as the Legislative Director for a member of the Virginia House of Delegates. After seven years, she was recruited by a prominent Richmond-based lobbying firm to run its Hampton Roads office.

Through her career, Angie has established solid relationships with local, state, and federal representatives, departments and agencies, and business leaders. She currently serves on the Virginia Beach Board of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce; the Hampton Roads Association of Commercial Builders (HRACRE) Legislative Committee; and the Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) of the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO); and the Roanoke River Basin Association (RRBA) Board of Directors. In 2013, she was chosen to serve on Governor Terence R. McAuliffe’s Technology Transition Team and currently serves as Chairman of the Public Awareness Committee of Champions for Children Hampton Roads, a 501(c) 3 whose mission is to eradicate child abuse and neglect in the Hampton Roads region.

Josh Arbogast has over 14 years of Graphic Design and marketing experience. He has a vast array of skills and has put those skills to work in many industries ranging from the fitness, power monitoring, medical, mortgage and banking industries. He says, “joining the VFDA is an amazing opportunity to help bring a refresh to the association, and help to drive the association to bigger and better things.” The new VFDA logo was a creation design of his, and we look forward to him helping us going forward. 

Josh is a life-long native of the Shenandoah Valley, grew up in Bridgewater, VA, and lives in Harrisonburg, VA. When not working, Josh likes to spend time with Trex, his Bernese mountain dog. He enjoys cycling and being outdoors exploring new places and sights. He also likes to build and restore furniture. “Designing, building, and being creative is something that drives me, and are just a few things that I am passionate about.”

“I look forward to helping the association in any way possible and am always here and open to having a conversation with anyone at any time.”