Leadership

Krystina is native of Baltimore, Maryland and after joining the U.S. Army she relocated to Fort Lee, Virginia where she served as a Mortuary Affairs Specialist. In 2007, she deployed to Mosul, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. While oversees, Krystina discovered her desire to comfort the families that had experienced the loss of a loved one. This calling in addition to having suffered the loss of her sister early in life, she decided to dedicate her career to guiding families through the challenging times associated with bereavement.

Following her military service Krystina matriculated her degree in mortuary science from John Tyler Community College and has spent the past 15 years serving families in central Virginia.   During this time Krystina has earned many coveted certifications to include the prestigious title of Certified Funeral Service Practitioner. Krystina is a member of the National, Virginia, and Central District Funeral Directors Associations and currently serves on the LifeNet and Leadership Advisory Committees.  She is also currently the committee chairperson for membership and outreach for the Virginia Funeral Directors Association.

Krystina and her husband, Joseph, have two young sons and in her off time enjoys camping and going to the beach. She enjoys crafting, gardening, baking and enjoying life’s adventures with her family.  Krystina is passionate about education and community involvement in addition to honoring veterans for their service to this country and educating families about childhood grief.

Wayne is a lifelong resident of the Roanoke Valley. He graduated from Andrew Lewis High School and has a Mortuary Science degree from John Tyler Community College. Before joining Lotz in April 2007, Wayne was previously employed with the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem for 18 years and as a Communications Officer with the Roanoke County Sheriff’s Office. He served as Location Manager at the Lotz Downtown Location and took over as Managing Partner of the Lotz Vinton location in April 2012. Wayne has served as President of the Blue Ridge Funeral Directors Association and has served several terms on the Board of Directors of the Virginia Funeral Directors Association. He is also a member of the Salem Kiwanis Club and the Vinton Breakfast Lions Club. He has been married to his wife, Brenda, since 1974 and has three grown children. He spends most of his spare time with his six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Larry was born and raised in Chilhowie, Virginia.  In 1976, he started working at Barnett’s Marion Funeral Home as a parttime job working after school.  After graduating from Chilhowie High School in 1978, he attended the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and graduated in September, 1979.  At that time, he went back to work at Barnett’s Marion Funeral Home, served his apprenticeship and became a funeral service licensee in 1980.  He remained there until 1985 when he moved to Abingdon, Virginia and started working for Farris Funeral Service as the manager.  Being a member of the Southwest Virginia Funeral Director’s Association, he served as the treasurer for several years and later served as President.  Later he became involved with the Virginia Funeral Director’s Association serving on the Board of Directors for many years along with serving on several committees.    In 2010, he moved to Bassett, Virginia where he began working at Bassett Funeral Service.  In 2011, he was promoted to manager of the funeral home and continues to work as the manager along with serving families.  Larry continued serving on the Virginia Funeral Director’s Association as a member of the Board of Directors and working his way through the chairs to become President of the Association 2016-2017.  After serving as President, he has continued to serve on the Board of Directors in various capacities.

From Floyd, VA

I have been a licensed Funeral Director for over 32 years, but it seems like I have been in the funeral business all my life. I literally grew up in the Funeral Home. I was 11 years old when my parents, Bobby L Gardner Sr and Mary Gray Gardner started Gardner Funeral Home. We lived
upstairs, and at that age I thought it was “cool” to dress up and go downstairs and act like a grown-up, helping the families we served. From that time on, I knew that funeral service is what I wanted to do (other than flying jets in the military).

As I have grown in the funeral profession, I realized it is not about “dress-up”, it is about service, care, and compassion for our families. They invite us into their lives at one of the most vulnerable times and they trust us to care for and honor the person they hold so very dear. I feel like we are put here on this earth to do a job and I am thankful and blessed that this is mine.

I have been married to my wife, Joy Adams Gardner for 32 years and we have two sons (Adam and Baily), a daughter-in-law (Kennedy), and a granddaughter (Dawsyn). My youngest son Baily, is now a 3rd Generation Funeral Director.

At Gardner Funeral Home, our motto is “Our family serving your family” and in the coming years, I want to see the Virginia Funeral Directors Association grow and prosper through serving others.

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.

Daniel L. Chapman started his career in funeral service 24 years ago when he joined Johnson Funeral Service in Bridgewater, VA as an apprentice. After graduating from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in February 2002, he rejoined the Johnson family in March of 2003. Daniel currently serves as the manager of the Johnson’s Grottoes location.

Daniel has served as President of the Shenandoah Valley Funeral Directors Association and currently holds the office as Treasurer. Daniel also serves the Virginia Funeral Directors Association as a member of the Board of Directors and as the Chairman of the Professional Development Committee.

In his free time, Daniel enjoys boating and fishing the Chesapeake Bay, predator hunting, competing in competition BBQ events, and collecting mid-century modern furniture.

I graduated from John Tyler Community College in 2003 and served part of my apprenticeship at Bliley Funeral Homes, Richmond, VA. I am the co-owner of Combs – Hess Funeral Service in Lebanon, VA., a credentialed Church of God minister, and a member of the Abingdon, VA Masonic Lodge. I am also very proud to be a former underground coal miner.

I have been married to Vickie Hess for over 20 years and we have one daughter, Macie Hess.

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

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.”

As a lifelong resident of Virginia, Jonathan was born and raised in the mountains of Southwest Virginia. Jonathan’s career in funeral service began stationed at the piano in the chapel of the Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home in Tazewell, VA, where following his high school graduation in 2014, he served his internship. Jonathan attained his Associates of Science in Funeral Service from the Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Atlanta, Georgia in 2017.

He joined the staff of the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem, VA, in January of 2018. Since that time, opportunities for self-growth and gainful self-knowledge led him to the Blue Ridge Funeral Directors Association where he is the current president of the association.

His “enjoyments” in life aside from serving his community, are growing his in-home recording studio, waking his neighbors up in the dead of night by playing a piece from Rachmaninoff, and perfecting his Banna Pudding recipe, lastly, he is always prepared to crack the latest joke or pun circulating on Tik-Tok. He resides in Salem with his fur-children, Beau and Sophie.

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.

Daniel L. Chapman started his career in funeral service 24 years ago when he joined Johnson Funeral Service in Bridgewater, VA as an apprentice. After graduating from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in February 2002, he rejoined the Johnson family in March of 2003. Daniel currently serves as the manager of the Johnson’s Grottoes location.

Daniel has served as President of the Shenandoah Valley Funeral Directors Association and currently holds the office as Treasurer. Daniel also serves the Virginia Funeral Directors Association as a member of the Board of Directors and as the Chairman of the Professional Development Committee.

In his free time, Daniel enjoys boating and fishing the Chesapeake Bay, predator hunting, competing in competition BBQ events, and collecting mid-century modern furniture.

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.

I graduated from John Tyler Community College in 2003 and served part of my apprenticeship at Bliley Funeral Homes, Richmond, VA. I am the co-owner of Combs – Hess Funeral Service in Lebanon, VA., a credentialed Church of God minister, and a member of the Abingdon, VA Masonic Lodge. I am also very proud to be a former underground coal miner.

I have been married to Vickie Hess for over 20 years and we have one daughter, Macie Hess.

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.

Terrie Dean, Certified Business Etiquette, and International Protocol Consultant, has been active for over 40 years in marketing management and special event planning for the travel and tourism industry. She received certification at the Protocol School of Washington under the direction of Ms. Dorothea Johnson; a world recognized authority in business and social etiquette. She received International Protocol certification under the direction of Jonathan Moeller, Protocol Advisor to the President of the United States.   

Ms. Dean, a life-long native of the Shenandoah Valley, opened The Wishing Well over 14 years ago in Harrisonburg, VA and currently serves as the Owner and General Manager. The Wishing Well brings a unique business model to Central Virginia that encompasses; full-service travel, event planning, and floral design, all located under a single roof. The Wishing Well’s travel division is aligned with Virtuoso – the world’s largest luxury network of by-invitation-only travel agency members.    

Ms. Dean has also held positions as Marketing Director and Public Information Officer for the Charlottesville Albemarle Airport and Manager of Franchise Development for Carlson Companies, Inc., a $33 billion dollar privately held Fortune 500 Company. She also has held management positions with offices of American Express and served as the travel and events coordinator for GE Fanuc (a global joint venture of General Electric and Fanuc USA). While at GE Fanuc, Ms. Dean received the “Outstanding Customer Service Award” and became the first outside vendor ever to receive this recognition.   

Some of Ms. Dean’s more recognizable clients have included: Sissy Spacek, Jessica Lange, Sam Sheppard, Dave Matthews, John Grisham, and the legendary Mohammad Ali.      

Ms. Dean has functioned in the capacity of public relations liaison and served as an officer on numerous community service boards and committees. She has accepted public speaking engagements ranging from the topic of tourism to motivational topics, customer service and conducted classes for self-help.

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.”