Non-Licensed Staff

Although they are not licensed funeral directors, these staff members are vitally important to the operation of our firm.  These individuals make it possible for us to professionally coordinate funerals with the quality of service our community has come to expect from us.

Donna Rankin Whitehead, Detail Secretary Email: donna.hiettfuneral@sbcglobal.net Donna joined the funeral home staff in April of 2004 as office detail secretary and assisting on funeral services. She previously owned and operated Country Florist in Edgewood, Texas. Donna is a life long resident of Wills Point, she married her high school sweetheart, Randy Rankin, they moved to Dallas for a brief period of time, but chose to move back home to raise their children Pam Rankin Emerson and Rusty Rankin, both of Wills Point. Randy passed away in 1987. She later married her present husband Wayne Whitehead, although Wayne was not from Wills Point, it didn’t take him long to decide that this was where they would make their home. Donna and Wayne are charter members of The New Release Church of Wills Point and enjoy being involved with the activities of their five grandchildren Donna has certainly helped enrich our facility with her warm and genuine care shown to our families during their time of need.

Wayne Edwards, Funeral Director Assistant Wayne joined our staff in 2008, and is an integral part of our day to day operations.   Wayne is a lifelong resident of Edgewood, TX.  He married Cathy Campbell, and they have been married forty years.  He has two wonderful daughters and four granddaughters.  He worked for the Mesquite Fire Department for thirty years, retiring in 2003.  He enjoys hunting, fishing and watching his granddaughters play sports, drama and other activities.  He is a twenty-five year member of the First Baptist Church in Edgewood.

Tommy Seale, Retired Funeral Director Tommy Seale attended school in Wills Point from first grade to graduation 1969.  During his high school years he worked for LyBrand funeral home where he started his career in the funeral business.  He attended the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science.  Upon graduation he moved to Nacogdoches, TX where he managed Cason Monk Funeral Home for 18 years.  While there Tommy was proud to be elected President of the East Texas Funeral Directors Association.   After retuning to the Van Zandt County area, Tommy was employed by Sparkman-Hillcrest Funeral Home as a funeral director until his semi retirement in 1995.   He is currently employed part time with Hiett's LyBrand Funeral Home in Wills Point and Edgewood.   Tommy married Susan Burk Seale in 1999.  They live in Edgewood, TX and are the proud parents of Andrea Van Dell of San Francisco, CA and Kellie Scallan of College Station, Texas. Tommy and Susan are members of Cheatham Memorial United Methodist Church, where Tommy has served two terms as President of the United Methodist Men.   During his free time, Tommy enjoys being a member of an old time gospel singing group the AARP Angels.

Weldon Powers, Funeral Director Assistant Weldon became a staff member in September of 2001. Weldon was born in McKamie Arkansas. He moved to Wills Point in May of 1955 while working for T & P Rail Road. Weldon met Judy McLeod shortly after he arrived in Wills Point and married on December 16, 1955, he and Judy raised their two children Len and Janece in Wills Point, he worked for and retired from E Systems in Greenville, Texas on January 1, 1995 after 38 years of employment. He and Judy Attend Russell Memorial United Methodist Church in Wills Point, they enjoy traveling when they can and spending time with their two grandchildren, Laura and Evan.

Richard Smith, Funeral Director Assistant Richard joined our staff in 2003.  He was born and raised in Wills Point, TX, and graduated from the Cartwright School.  Richard married his childhood sweetheart, Lillie Ann Sneed in 1965, and they had three children, Desah Smith, Juan Smith, and  Demetrius Malone.  Lillie Ann passed away in 2002.  Richard later met and married Sharon Wray of Fort Worth, where they now make their home and enjoy spending time with their five children and thirteen grandchildren. Richard worked as a cement mason until his health forced him to retire.  He later received his associates degree from Southern Bible Institute in 2009. They are members of Wesley Chapel Baptist Church, where he is active as an associate pastor.

Shirley Cupp, Edgewood Receptionist Shirley Cupp joined our staff in 1995. She was born in Rockwall, Texas and moved to Edgewood in 1972. She retired in 1993, from Texas Utilities after thirty-seven years of service. She and her husband, Dan, live just north of Edgewood. They have three children, eight grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. Shirley and Dan are members of First Baptist Church of Edgewood and are involved in the Texas Baptist Men Disaster Group and Retiree Men’s Church Building Group.

Mary Harris, Wills Point Receptionist Mary joined our staff in 2007. She was born in the Fairview Community of Wills Point and graduated from Wills Point High School in 1958.  She married Charles Wayne Willis and they had two sons, Billy Wayne Willis and James Dale Willis. In November of 1979, Mary married Charles Eugene Harris. Since the death of Charlie in 1997, Mary has made her home with her mother, Ferrel Mislivets. Mary worked for Reserve Life Insurance Company in Dallas for twenty two years and then retired from Wal-Mart after seventeen years. Mary is a member of First Baptist Church in Wills Point where she sings in the choir. She is the proud grandmother of one grandson and one great-grandson.