Texarkana Funeral Home: Our Staff


	E. Dale Buster Dale Buster began his funeral service career in 1970 and currently serves as Assistant Manager of Texarkana Funeral Home. Dale grew up in a military family, which allowed him the opportunity to live in many different places before he settled down in Texarkana. Dale enjoys his work at the funeral home, because it allows him a chance to interact with many families and offer his help at their time of loss. Dale is always willing to conduct services for families who do not have a minister. As a Past Master and Secretary of the Village Masonic Lodge no. 1346, Dale is often asked to conduct Masonic Funeral Services. To show his appreciation to local Veterans each Memorial Day Dale coordinates a Veterans Service at Hillcrest Memorial park. Dale loves the outdoors and is an avid sportsman. He spends all of his vacation time deer and elk hunting. His favorite vacations have been his hunting trips in Colorado. Dale and his wife Pattie have four children and four grandchildren.

	Craig Cobb Craig was born and raised in Texarkana, TX and graduated from Texas High School in 1979. His father was a close friend with Texarkana Funeral Homes former owners, the late Howard Fuqua and Harry Everett. The friendship between Craig's father and Mr. Everett sparked an interest in Craig to pursue a career in funeral service. In 1988 Craig graduated from the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science and went on to become a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in Texas. Craig joined Texarkana Funeral Home in November 2003. He and his wife Delia have one son and are members of First United Methodist Church.

	Lori Cole Lori was born and raised in Haynesville, Louisiana, and has been a Louisiana native until recently. She is the mother of three grown sons. The oldest is currently in Iraq as an employee of KBR, and the youngest is in Okinawa, Japan, where he is a member of the United States Air Force Pararescue Team. The middle son lives in Ruston, Louisiana and is employed by Cox Communications. Lori has held a variety of jobs in Haynesville. She has been a doctor's assistant, billing clerk in a hospital, and eventually attended cosmetology school where she became a licensed cosmetologist. She owned and operated her own shop in Haynesville for a number of years before selling her business and becoming a partner in a motor company in Haynesville. During this time she also was an assistant to the Justice of the Peace. She has been a lifelong member of Haynesville United Methodist Church where she was a member of the choir. During her boys' years in school, she was active in PTA and was a support member for football, swim team, and baseball. She also enjoyed being an active member of the garden club. When she is home, Lori enjoys gardening, decorating her home, and playing with her dog, Bonnie. An avid collector of unique decorating items, Lori enjoys browsing antique shops and flea markets. Lori relocated to Texarkana in February, 2005, and joined the staff at Texarkana Funeral Home in March, 2005. She looks forward to many enjoyable years with this worthy organization.

	Robert D. Cowley, Jr. In 1959 Robert Cowley joined Texarkana Funeral Home where he has spent all the years of his career as a funeral director. Robert was born and raised in New Boston, Texas and graduated from New Boston High School in 1958. After high school he decided to pursue his interest in funeral service and attended the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service- Gupton Jones College of Mortuary Science where he gradated in 1959. In 1960 Robert married the former Betty Green. Robert and Betty have three children and five grandsons. He is a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in the states of Arkansas and Texas, a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, and has served as general manager of Texarkana Funeral Home for many years. Robert has dedicated himself to Texarkana Funeral Home for most of his life and has seen the funeral home grow and change throughout the years. The younger funeral directors look to Robert's knowledge and experience for guidance in their own careers. After 45 years of service, Robert still makes sure he is at the funeral home bright and early each morning to see that things are in order to start the day. Most of Robert's time away from work is spent in various community activities. He is an active member of Trinity Baptist Church, a member of the Texarkana Wilbur Smith Rotary Club, and a Member of the Texas Border Masonic Lodge.

	Robert D. “Danny” Cowley III Danny is a second-generation funeral director, following in the footsteps of his father Robert D. Cowley Jr. He was born and raised in Texarkana , Texas . After graduating from Texas Senior High School , Danny went on to receive an associate degree in business administration from Texarkana College . He later attended the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science where he was honored with the Academic Achievement Award. Currently Danny is a licensed Funeral director in the state of Arkansas and Texas and has been with Texarkana Funeral Home for over 20 years. Danny and his wife Tammie Choate Cowley have been married for 21 years and have one son, Bradley. The Cowley's are members of the First Church of the Nazarene. If Danny isn't busy at work he can usually be found out on a weekend camping trip or enjoying the outdoors with activities such as water skiing. Danny is also an avid sports fan and spends most of football season keeping up with his favorite teams.

	Corey Endsley After graduating from Redwater High School in May for 2001, Corey pursued his lifelong interest in funeral service by attending the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope where he graduated in 2003 with an Associates of Applied Science in Funeral Service. He has been employed with Texarkana Funeral Home since May of 2002. During his employment with Texarkana Funeral Home he completed Funeral Director and Embalmer apprenticeship's in the states in Texas and Arkansas, and currently is a dually licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director in both Texas and Arkansas. He enjoys the variety of tasks that working at a funeral home requires, but finds himself most skilled at working in that preparation room. When not busy with work, he can usually be found working on various projects at his home or out enjoying life with his friends. Corey loves to travel and spends a great deal of his time off going to see new places. He is also Private Pilot and a member of the Texarkana Flying Club.

	Tommy Fuqua Thomas Fuqua has been involved with Texarkana Funeral Home and it's subsidiaries for almost 40 years. He was born and raised in Texarkana, Arkansas and was educated in the Arkansas Public School Systems, as well as the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, AR. Most of his time in his early years were spent forming Family Liberty Life Ins. Co., promoting the sales of Pre-Arranged Funerals and Final Expense Insurance. He worked closely with his father, Howard Fuqua, and his partner Harry Everett, who started the business in 1939. Thomas became President and CEO when Mr. Everett passed away in 1991. The company now includes four funeral homes and one under construction. It also includes Hillcrest Memorial Park and Monument Co. and Family Liberty Life Ins. Co. Thomas has two sons, Vickers Fuqua and Thomas H.Fuqua, III, which he is also in business with.

	Vickers Fuqua Vickers began his career in the funeral industry at Texarkana Funeral Home in 1990 and is a licensed Arkansas Funeral Director. His grandfather, Howard Fuqua, and Harry Everett started TFH in 1939, thus making Vickers a 3 rd generation funeral director. Vickers was born & raised in Texarkana and participates in many community activities. He and his wife Whitney, have a wonderful young daughter named Bella. He feels fortunate serving his community and being there for families in their time of need.

	John Hall John W. Hall has spent most of his adult life in the funeral industry in one way or another. He grew up in Tennessee but has spent the last 25 years in Arkansas. He became a licensed funeral director in 1995 while living in Ashdown. He has been a counselor/minister for the last 44 years. He is a graduate of Freed-Hardeman University, East Texas State University, and last year graduated from University of Arkansas Community College in Hope with a degree in Funeral Services. He is dual licensed both in Texas and Arkansas and is on the faculty of AACCH teaching Funeral Law & Funeral Psychology. John and his wife Sherri live in Ashdown.

	Eddie Hawkins, Jr. Eddie Hawkins, Jr., a Licensed Arkansas Funeral Director, began his career in funeral service at Texarkana Funeral Home in 1978. He is a graduate of Camden Fairview High School in Camden, Arkansas, and attended Southern Arkansas University and East Texas State University. He serves on the Arkansas State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors, and was elected Miller County Coroner in 1986 and still serves in that position today. He is a member of the Arkansas Funeral Directors Association and the Arkansas Coroners Association. He and his wife, the former Janet Durham of Texarkana, Arkansas, are active members of Trinity Baptist Church, Texarkana, Arkansas, where he serves as a Deacon and a Trustee, and is active in the orchestra. They have two adult children and their spouses, Allison and Les Munn and Joshua and Erica Hawkins, and one grandchild, Dalten Brewer. He loves spending time with his family, working in his yard and garden, and following the Arkansas Razorbacks.

	Josh Hawkins Josh is a 2002 Graduate of Trinity High School. As the son of Eddie Hawkins, he has been around the funeral home his entire life. After working part time at the funeral home since high school, in 2005 Josh began the mortuary program at University of Arkansas Community College at Hope in order to become a full time Funeral Director and Embalmer. In May of 2007 he graduated with an Associate of Applied Science in Funeral Service. Josh views his work in funeral service not only as a job, but also a ministry. He is a lifetime member of TrinityBaptist Church. In his free time Josh enjoys the outdoors and spending time with his family. Josh and his wife Erica have been married since 2003, and are currently expecting their first child in August of 2008.

	Kendall Hudson Kendall Hudson began his journey in the funeral profession in 1991 and moved to Dallas, TX to begin class at the Dallas Institute of Funeral Services. He worked as a funeral director for 13 years before joining the Texarkana and Chapelwood Funeral Home staff. He was born in Texarkana, TX and was raised in Fouke, AR. He attended Fouke Public Schools and was a graduate of the American Christian Academy in Texarkana. He has been widely recognized for his singing with The Hendrix Trio, and more recently, as a member of the locally popular group, Masterpeace Quartet. His hobbies include, as well as singing, playing bass guitar and spending time perfecting his lawn and flower gardens. Kendall and his wife, Florina, have two beautiful daughters, Whitney and Karlye. For the past 14 years, he has devoted himself tirelessly to making certain that the families' needs are met, and hopes to do so for many years to come at Texarkana and Chapelwood Funeral Homes.

	Joyce Linex Joyce has served Texarkana Funeral Home since 1975 as a business manager and Funeral Director's Assistant. After graduating from Hughes Springs High School she attended Texarkana College and later went on to become a licensed cosmetologist and licensed insurance agent. In 1975, the same year Joyce's career with Texarkana Funeral Home began, she married Billy Linex. Joyce and Billy have three grown children. When Joyce isn't busy at work she can usually be found at Trinity Baptist Church where she is an active member involved in Women's Ministry and has served as New Member Shepherding Co-Coordinator. She also has served several area churches as a guest speaker for retreats and seminars. Joyce's dedication to serving the community as a volunteer in many church and community projects helped her accomplish the honor of being nominated for a Wilbur award for her work in local nursing homes. Joyce is well know in the community and at the Funeral Home, she has built many friendships with her customers in the funeral home's insurance office over the years and many people will not visit the funeral home without a quick stop by Joyce's office just to say “HI”.

	Peggy McGowan In 1996 Peggy joined Bates-Rolf Funeral Home as a full time employee. She is now Blessed to have transferred to Texarkana Funeral Home on the Boulevard serving as the Insurance Office Manager. Peggy has been active in the New Boston community for the past 14 years, serving in her church as R.A. leader (little boys group) and served as past Vice-President and Treasurer of the New Boston Chamber of Commerce. Peggy is most full-filled and happy when serving people. She is married to a wonderful man, Ken, and they have one daughter and son-in-law which have given them two precious grandchilren, who Peggy says are the "love of their lives". When not at work Peggy enjoys camping and traveling with her family and friends.

	Larry Parrent Larry Parrent joined Bates-Rolf Funeral Homes in May of 2007 as a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer. Larry is originally from Richmond Virginia and attended Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham Virginia for 5 years where he Graduated as a Cadet Officer in 1977. Having attended The University of North Carolina Charlotte N.C. and Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C. He began his career in Funeral Service in 1986 after moving back to Richmond 3 months after the birth of his first Nephew. He is a Graduate of The Dallas Institute of Funeral Service. He is Licensed as a Funeral Director and Embalmer in Virginia, Colorado and Texas serving as a Coroner in Colorado prior to returning to Virginia where he practiced in Winchester, VA. Larry is a U.S. Army Veteran serving in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia during “Desert Storm” as a Warrant Officer. He attends Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in New Boston and enjoys the small town people and environment. Larry always vacations in Richmond, VA. spending time with his family whom he is very close to.

	William R. “Bill” Ratcliff Bill Graduated from New Boston High School in 1969 and went on to the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service where he Graduated in 1972. In 1982 Bill joined Bates-Rolf Funeral Homes where he serves as Manager and Funeral Director in charge of one of the Bates-Rolf Funeral Homes in New Boston and DeKalb. Bill married his wife Barbara in 1973. Bill and Barbara attend St. Edwards Catholic Church in Texarkana, Arkansas. The couple has two daughters and sons-in-law Lindsey and Russell Halfmann of Brenham, TX and Whitney and Justin Wright of Texarkana, TX, and One grandson Jarrett Halfmann of Branham, Texas. In his spare time Bill loves golfing, hunting, trail riding and camping with his wife and their horses “Boss & Jet”.

	Boyd Roberts Boyd is a Funeral Director assistant and has been employed with Bates-Rolf Funeral Homes since 2002. Boyd is very active in the New Boston Community. He serves on the board of directors for the Chamber of Commerce and the United Fund in New Boston. Much of Boyd's free time is spent at local athletic events. He has been a Basketball Official for 27 years, a Softball Commissioner for ASA for 9 years, and an Umpire for 27 years. Boyd is married to the former Martha Burebaker. They have a chow dog named Bear whom they say is “a member of our family”.

	Michael Joseph “Archie” Shipp Archie Shipp is a lifelong resident of Texarkana , Arkansas . He is a graduate of Arkansas High School . After working part-time at Texarkana Funeral Home, he decided to pursue a career in funeral service. He knew that funeral service was a business, but he also saw the ministry to families during a time of great loss. He graduated from Dallas Institute of Funeral service in 1992 and began his funeral service career on Monday, February 17, 1992 at Texarkana Funeral Home. He also Serves as Deputy Coroner for Miller County under the direction of Eddie Hawkins. Archie is a member of the Arkansas and Texas Funeral Directors and Embalmers Association. He is happily married to his wife Christy, a teacher at Leary Independent School District . They were married for ten years before God blessed them with a son they named Aidan. He has been a great blessing in the life of Archie and Christy. Archie thanks God daily for the gift of eternal life and the gift of his precious wife and son. His church is another important aspect in his life. He and his family attend Faith Baptist Church where Archie is a Sunday school teacher, Deacon and choir member. He is active in Awanas, which teaches children scripture. He loves spending time with his family and friends, playing golf and playing Frisbee with his dog, Blaze, a five-year-old Border Collie.

	Paula Solley Paula joined the Bates-Rolf family in October 2005 as Office Manager. She live in Malta, Texas with her husband Tommy, son Jacob who attends New Boston High Schoo and daughter Jacey, who goes to school at Malta. Coming from managerial and customer service venues, Paula believes in exceptional customer service and loves working with and helping people. Being an avid sports fan, you can find her in the stands cheering on her favorite players, Jacob, during football, baseball and track season and Jacey during softball season. When she has free time, Paula loves to read, hunt and fish with her family and their spoiled Jack Russell, Bandit, and generally doing anything outdoors. She is a member of Malta Baptist Church, has 2 stepdaughters, Kelsey and Kayla and looks forward to many years with Bates-Rolf and Texarkana Funeral Homes.

	Louis Terrell Jr. Louis was born and raised in DeKalb, Texas and graduated from Dekalb High School in 1979. In 1983 he Graduated from the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service and began his career as a Funeral Director and Embalmer at Texarkana Funeral Home that same year. In November of 2004 Louis moved to New Boston and joined Bates-Rolf funeral homes where he serves as Manager and Funeral Director in charge of one of the Bates-Rolf Funeral Homes in New Boston and DeKalb. Louis spends his time away from work enjoying outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing. He is also a member of Redlick United Methodist Church.