405 E. Church St. Elizabeth City, NC | (252) 335-4395
Connect with us online | 
500 Budleigh St. Manteo, NC | (252) 473-2449
Twiford Funeral Homes - Elizabeth City Staff
The heart of any organization is it's staff. We feel that we have the very best staff available serving the Elizabeth City area. Twiford Funeral Homes prides itself on the length of employment that our friends continue to work with us. As you browse through the photos and bios below, take notice of the number of years many of our staff has continued to work with us.
Richard Ratzlaff
Operations Manager
Funeral Director # 3781
richard.ratzlaff@twifordfh.com
Richard Frederick Ratzlaff has been a licensed funeral director for fourteen years and in the funeral service industry for twenty-two years. He joined the firm in 2016. Richard is a 1979 graduate of Andress High School in El Paso, TX and received his certification as a funeral director from Fayetteville Technical College in 2002. He served thirteen and a half years in the US Air Force from 1979 to 1992 and is a Gulf War Veteran. He is a member of Open Door Church in Bertie County, NC and served as a deacon. He is married with four children, three grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Frederick Joe Griffith
Staff Clergy
Funeral Director # 3248
Joe Griffith, a native of Seth, WV and licensed funeral director since 1984, has been with the firm since 1988. Joe earned an A.S. and B.S. in Education from West Virginia State College and a Pastoral Certificate from Pine Level Bible Institute. He served four years in the US Air Force and two years in the WV Air National Guard. An ordained minister, Joe is pastor of Rehoboth Baptist Church in Maple, NC. Former president of the WV Student Education Association, he is currently a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, the NC Funeral Directors Association and the Improved Order of Red Men. He is married, has one daughter and enjoys travel, gardening and piano.
Jerome Rust
Crematory Manager
Funeral Service Licensee # 1863 (NC)
Funeral Service Licensee # 0502900174 (VA)
Jerome Rust, a native of Currituck, NC, has been with the firm since 1989. Jerome is a graduate of Currituck County High School and has a diploma from John A. Gupton College of Mortuary Science in Nashville, TN. He is a member of Rehoboth Baptist Church, serves on the board of the Cremation Association of North Carolina, and is a member of the American Society of Embalmers and the Improved Order of Red Men. He is married, has a son, and enjoys hunting, gardening, woodworking and reading.
Presley L. Eley IV
Preneed Funeral Consultant
Funeral Service Licensee # 3021 (NC)
Funeral Service Licensee # 0502901354 (VA)
Presley L. Eley IV received a Mortuary Science Degree from Tidewater Community College and is licensed in North Carolina and Virginia. He worked for funeral firms in Eastern North Carolina before moving into the planning side of the funeral business. Presley has traveled all over the East Coast speaking about the advantages of advanced funeral planning and brings a wealth of knowledge in helping families plan ahead.
Presley was born in Portsmouth, VA, and currently resides in Tyner, NC with his wife and daughters. He is a member of Open Door Church and in his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family, camping, boating, and fishing.
Beth Grindstaff
Funeral Director # 3237
Ottilie E. “Beth” Grindstaff, was born in Rhode Island and as a military ‘brat’ lived all over the East coast. Beth joined the firm in 2015. She holds an A.A.S in Funeral Service from Piedmont Technical College and is Nationally Board Certified in Arts and Sciences. Beth attends Good Shephard Lutheran Church and is a volunteer Scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts of America. She has three children and enjoys reading, movies, music, and good food.
Sammy O. Smith
Funeral Director # 85
Sammy O. Smith has been with Twiford Funeral Home since 1957 in full-time and part-time positions. Born in Spot in Currituck County, he has resided in Kitty Hawk for over fifty years. Sammy graduated from Dr. W. T. Griggs High School and attended College of the Albemarle, Elizabeth City State University, and Norfolk State University. He is a veteran having served in the U. S. Army. Sammy is married and has four daughters, seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
June Hess
Funeral Director # 4374
June Hess is a native of Dare County, NC. She joined the firm in 2019 and is currently serving her apprenticeship while attending Fayetteville Technical Community College to earn her Associate of Applied Science in Mortuary Science. June has been a resident of Currituck County since 2005. She has two sons, Tyler, who is currently attending trade school, and Michael, who recently joined the United States Coast Guard. June is a volunteer for Currituck County’s NC State University Master Gardener program and enjoys spending her free time among plants and animals.
Jessica Stefano
Funeral Service Trainee # 2001396
Jessica Stefano graduated from Tidewater Community College with a degree in Funeral Services. She is National Board certified and will spend the next year as an intern to obtain her funeral service license. Jessica was born in Southern Illinois, near the St. Louis area and moved to the East Coast in 2012. She has one young son and together they enjoy camping, hiking, four-wheeling, and watching baseball games.
Chad Cotton
Funeral Service Trainee # 2001521
Chad Cotton joined the firm in 2022.
Amy Darling
Accounting Administrator
Amy Darling, a native of Elizabeth City, NC, joined the firm in September 2017 as the accounting administrator. A 2001 graduate of Northeastern High School, Amy enjoys crafting, baking and spending time at the beach. She has one son.
Donna Caras
Administrative Assistant
Donna Caras, a native of Reidsville, NC, made Elizabeth City her home in 1966. Graduating from Northeastern High School, she attended Duke University graduating from the School of Allied Health Sciences in 1977. A father in the United States Coast Guard and having married a Coastie, Donna was fortunate to travel around the country before returning to Elizabeth City in 1995. She retired from civilian service with the United States Coast Guard. Joining the firm in February 2018 as an administrative assistant, Donna is a member of Newbegun United Methodist Church and the Moose Lodge. She enjoys reading and traveling and has one daughter, Sara.
Heather Hoadley
Insurance Specialist
Executive Assistant to Senior Management
Heather Hoadley is a native of Chesapeake, VA, and made Elizabeth City home in 2007 with her family. She is married to her husband, Jimmy, and they have three children, MaKayla, Bryce, and Casey James. Prior to joining the firm in 2022, she worked for a local law firm for the past fourteen years. Heather is a member of Ramoth Gilead Baptist Church and the Pasquotank County High School Athletics Boosters Club. Heather and her family can be found cheering for Bryce and Casey James on the football field, basketball court, or baseball field most evenings and weekends. When Heather isn’t at a sporting event, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and fur babies and crafting or doing DIY projects.
Wyndee Whitaker
Receptionist
Wyndee Whitaker, a native of Chesapeake, VA, joined the firm in March 2018. She retired after 32 years of civil service working for the United States Coast Guard and the United States Navy. Wyndee serves as a deacon in the Presbyterian church and enjoys baking with a specialty in cheesecakes. She loves her family and her ‘fur-babies’.
Carol Gilbert
Receptionist
Carol Gilbert, originated from the Northern Virginia/DC area and began working for the Federal Government in 1974. Her first job was with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), then the Navy Office of General Counsel, and the Under Secretary of the Navy for Aircraft and Missile Programs.
She then moved to North Carolina and began working at the U.S. Coast Guard National Strike Force Coordination Center in Elizabeth City, NC. She traveled throughout the United States with the Coast Guard for Exercises and Responses. She was deployed in the Gulf for 89 days during Deepwater Horizon.
She eventually transferred over to the Aviation Logistics Center on the Coast Guard Base where she retired after three years. She then actually was hired by a contractor as a Technical Writer for the USCG Aviation Program.
After retiring once again, she joined the Twiford Funeral Home in Elizabeth City, NC. She enjoys working with the families in need and hopes to provide them the comfort and assistance they need.
Kevin Reiver
Maintenance Supervisor
Staff Clergy
Kevin T. Reiver, a native of Norfolk, VA has been with the firm since 2015. Kevin graduated from Granby High School in 1997. He has a B.S. in Youth Ministry and Preaching from Roanoke Bible College. He is an ordained minister. He has three children and enjoys the outdoors, especially the beach, and tennis.
Joey Winslow
Grounds & Automotive Supervisor
Bryon Hickman
Crematory Chief Operator
Audio-Visual Technician
Bryon Hickman, a native of Elizabeth City, NC, joined the firm in 1992. He is married to his wife, Stacey, has four children, Amber, Jordan, Aaron, and Daniel; two wonderful sons-in-law; and three beautiful grandchildren. An active member of Fountain of Life, Bryon is involved in the children’s ministry and serves on the Media Team. He loves his church, spending time with his family and enjoys auctions, fishing, and when he finds time metal detecting.
Diane Wells
Funeral Assistant
Dianne Wells is a native of Martin County and has a degree in Criminal Justice. She has worked part-time with the firm for 22 years and is happy to be a part of the team. She is a member of Christ Episcopal Church and enjoys walking and reading. Dianne has one daughter and two grandchildren.
Randy Masters
Funeral Assistant
Stephen “Randy” Randall Masters, a native of Erwin, TN, joined the firm in 1989. He is a member of the South Mills Church of Christ. He is married, has two children, six grandchildren and enjoys spending time with his family.
Richard Patrick
Funeral Assistant
Richard Patrick, a native of Virginia, joined the firm in 2016 as a part-time funeral director associate. He is a member of Corinth Baptist Church. He is married, has three children and four grandchildren and one-great-granddaughter. He enjoys fishing and lending a helping-hand to neighbors and friends.
Wade Brite
Funeral Assistant
Wade Brite, a native of Camden, NC, has been with the firm since January 2018. A 1980 graduate of Camden County High School, he continued his education graduating from College of the Albemarle’s BLET (Basic Law Enforcement Training) program as well as completing various other law enforcement programs. After 30 years, he retired as a Sergeant from the City of Elizabeth City Police Department. Wade is married with two daughters, attends Sawyers Creek Baptist Church, and enjoys fishing, lawncare projects, and spending time with his family.
Carl Witten
Funeral Assistant
Carl Witten was raised in a Christian orphanage in Sellersburg, Indiana and graduated from Portland Christian High School in Louisville, KY in 1967. He then went on to receive his AA degree in Mathematics from Southeastern Christian Jr. College in Winchester, KY, and continued his education at the University of Louisville. He married his college sweetheart, Media Vires, on January 2, 1971 and they now have 5 children, 12 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild. Carl and his family moved from KY to Virginia Beach, VA in 1984 for him to work at the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN). Carl retired in June 2019 after working 51 years in the Information Technology industry in such companies as CBN, The New York Times, The Navy Exchange, and Sentara Healthcare. Carl and his wife, Media, moved to Elizabeth City in April 2017, and have fallen in love with this city. Carl is an ordained minister, evangelist, and singer. He currently serves as an Elder at The Bridge Christian Fellowship in Chesapeake, VA, where he and Media have attended since 2005. Carl’s interests are singing, preaching, gardening, flowers, travel, and meeting new friends. Carl has been with the firm since December 2021.
Terry Waterfield
Funeral Assistant
Terry Waterfield is a native of Currituck and a graduate of Knapp High School. He began with firm in 1997 as a Funeral Assistant. Terry is retired from the U.S. Coast Guard and is a retired North Carolina Wildlife Officer. He enjoys playing golf. Terry is married to Judy Waterfield and he has one son, Terry Waterfield II.
Aaron Hickman
Funeral Assistant
Daniel Hickman
Funeral Assistant
Brent Powell
Funeral Assistant
Brent Powell is a native of Camden, NC and began working with the firm in April 2022 as a funeral assistant. Brent has earned his welding degree from Tidewater Community College and has completed Basic Law Enforcement Training at College of the Albemarle. He attends Christ Episcopal Church, is engaged and has three children, Grayden, Sadie, and Nola.
Anne Williams
Staff Musician
Anne Williams, ‘Ms. Anne’, joined the firm in 1968 as a part-time funeral assistant and musician. A graduate of Elizabeth City High School, Ms. Anne retired as the music director of Camden United Methodist Church after twenty years of service. She is a member of Blackwell Baptist Church and enjoys music, traveling, baseball and spending time with her family. Ms. Anne is married, has two children, four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Edna Earle Meads
Staff Musician
Edna Earle Meads, a native of Elizabeth City, joined the firm in 1972 as a part-time funeral assistant and musician. She is married, has four children and seven grandchildren. A member of Fountain of Life Church, Edna enjoys music and spending time with her family.
Preston Meads, retired 2021
Preston Meads, a native of Elizabeth City, joined the firm in 1972 as a part-time funeral assistant. He is a member of the Fountain of Life Church. He is married, has four children, seven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. He enjoys gardening and spending time with his family.
Charlotte B. Mitchell, 1944-2022
Charlotte Burgess Mitchell (1944-2022), a native of Camden County, has been with the firm since 2012. She graduated from Camden High School in 1961 has a B.A. in History from Meredith College. She is a member of the First United Methodist Church. Charlotte has a daughter, two granddaughters and enjoys music and reading.
Calvin R. Arnold, 1949-2020
Calvin R. Arnold, Sr. (1949-2020), a native of Camden County, NC, joined the firm in 1969 and retired in 2011. He is a 1969 graduate of Elizabeth City High School, attended College of the Albemarle and graduated in 1973 from Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science in Atlanta, GA. Calvin served in the US Naval Air Reserves. He is a member of the North Carolina and the National Funeral Directors Associations, Masons, Scottish Rite Bodies, Sudan Shrine Temple, Elks and Improved Order of Red Men. He is a member of City Road United Methodist Church and enjoys baseball and music. Calvin retired from Twiford Funeral Homes on November 15, 2011.
Noah J. "Sam" Henderson, 1945-2017
Noah J. “Sam” Henderson (1945-2017), a native of Malone, NY, has been a funeral director and an embalmer with the firm since 1996. He is a 1963 graduate of Franklin Academy High School in Malone and Simmon’s School of Embalming and Mortuary Science in Syracuse, NY. He is a US Army veteran of Viet Nam and a member of the Improved Order of Red Men. He worships with the Baptist, Methodist, and Assembly of God. He is married, has four children and enjoys carpentry, music and songwriting.
Jack T. Sawyer, 1930-2021
Jack T. Sawyer, (1930-2021) a native of Columbia, NC, has been with the firm since 1971 as the Outside Supervisor and a Funeral Assistant. He is a graduate of Columbia High School, a past Scout Master and a member of the First Christian Church. He has one son. He enjoys reading and reminiscing.
https://www.twifordfh.com/jack-thomas-sawyer/
Milton "Gibby" Gibbs, 1935-2019
Milton “Gibby” Gibbs (1935 – 2019), a native of Hyde County, NC, joined the firm in 2000 as a part-time funeral assistant. He has four children and nine grandchildren and is a member of First Christian Church. Gibby enjoys church and music.
https://www.twifordfh.com/gibby-gibbs/
Elizabeth City, NC
405 E. Church Street
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
(252) 335-4395 | (800 TWIFORD) 800 894-3673
j.j.twiford@twifordfh.com
Elizabeth City Location
Outer Banks Location
Outer Banks, NC
500 Budleigh Street
Manteo, NC 27954
(252) 473-2449 | (252) 986-2554
david.jr@twifordfh.com
