I am old enough to remember when Winnfield was the most well-known and widely used funeral services…read moreprovider for Black families in the Ark-La-Tex. In the last 25 years, however, the competition has grown and there is now a vigorous and lively market for families' business during that stressful time.
I wasn't sure what to expect coming back to my home and having to bring my dear mother's remains halfway across the country for her Celebration of Life. She was a deeply loved and respected educator in Caddo Parish since the early 1970s, as well as a past president of the local alumnae chapter of her sorority. I'm her only child and my wife is not from the area.
For those reasons and many others, I am exceedingly grateful for the outstanding work that Ms. Femecca Jackson and the staff at Winnfield did for me and my loved ones. At every step in the funeral process, Ms. Jackson, was patient, knowledgeable, informative, classy, respectful and always willing to go far above and well beyond what I had been told to expect. Even at our church on the day of the service, Ms. Jackson was tirelessly working, making sure that my family and mother's friends were attended to with the most compassionate care imaginable. Also, we were simply amazed at how beautiful mother looked! The preparers are also to be commended. Finally, the business arm of the operation was just as proficient and professional. There was not a single hiccup in transportation, securing permits, coordination with our Nevada mortuary, scheduling, venue, decor, funeral accoutrements or payment arrangements. The staff truly made us feel welcomed and comforted.
I recognize that selecting a funeral home is vastly different from choosing a place to dine; however, families should recognize that this service is also a business. There are good ones, and not so good. Shouldn't the people that you choose to care for your closest loved ones in their transition have an honorable reputation for excellent service? And, when a business provides top notch service, shouldn't patrons spread the good word? Certainly the answer to both of those is "yes."
Winnfield Funeral Home did magnificent work for our family and I am glad that our steps were guided to their door.
Thank you, Femecca, and please give everyone else all our love and gratitude.
K. Speed and family
(...the late Ms. Loretta Z. Speed)