Our Staff

Our dedicated and supportive staff are here to guide you through this difficult journey. We take pride in doing our absolute best to ensure your needs are met.

Allen Simpson - Owner, President

Email: asimpson@simpsonfuneral.com  

Allen is the second of three sons born to Adolphus R. "Sonny" and Leo Sisson. A Native of North Roanoke County, Allen is a 1973 graduate of Northside High School and Roanoke County Educational Center (now known as the Arnold R. Burton Vo-Tech Center). After High School Allen served his internship with Oakey's Funeral Service in Roanoke. He is a graduate of Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, and the National Foundation of Funeral Service, School of Management. He is married to the former Sharon Knowling, a science teacher at Woodrow Wilson Middle School in Roanoke City. Allen is a member of Northview United Methodist Church and the Rotary Club of Roanoke.

John L. Porter - Manager

Email: jporter@simpsonfuneral.com

John comes to Simpson Funeral Home after having served families in South Carolina for the last 21 years. He is a first generation funeral director who feels honored to be able to help bring comfort and closure to families. John is married to the former Cacey M. Jeffers and they are the parents to four sons. Their oldest two sons live in South Carolina and their youngest two sons still live at home. John feels very blessed to be a part of the staff at Simpson Funeral Home and considers it an honor to serve the families of the Roanoke Valley. John is fully licensed in Virginia, South Carolina and North Carolina.

Pete Dunker - Funeral Service Licensee

Email: pdunker@simpsonfuneral.com

Pete joined our staff in January of 2017. Pete comes to us after serving 20 years as an Associate Pastor, 15 of those for a local church. He has received his Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Wheaton College, Masters in Christian Education from Dallas Theological Seminary and Associates in Applied Science from Fayetteville Technical College. He received his funeral service license in March 2021. Pete feels blessed to be able to comfort families during their time of need. Pete and his wife April have three sons and make their home in the Daleville Community of Botetourt County. He and his family enjoy sports and anything to do with the outdoors.

Dennis Byers - Funeral Service Licensee, Advanced Planning Director

Email: dbyers@simpsonfuneral.com

Dennis is in charge of our Advance Planning department and takes great joy in helping families prepare for the future. He was born in Lexington, VA, raised in Buena Vista and now resides in Buchanan. He has been licensed in Virginia since 1978 and is also licensed in North Carolina. He is a 1967 graduate of Rockbridge High School, 1978 graduate of Gupton Jones College of Mortuary Science and attended the Capital Institute of Technology in Washington, DC. He is a Past President of the Virginia Funeral Directors Association and the Shenandoah Funeral Directors Association. He has been actively involved in Advance Funeral Planning for over fifteen years. Dennis has been married to Jean Mayo Byers since 1968 and they have two children, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. 

Bradley Simpson - Funeral Intern

Email: bsimpson@simpsonfuneral.com

Bradley Simpson has grown up in the funeral business, his mother and father having founded Simpson Funeral Home & Crematory. Bradley's funeral service career began in the garage (washing cars) and in the yard (mowing and pulling weeds) while going to middle and high school. Bradley is a 2003 graduate of Northside High School where he played on the varsity basketball and soccer teams. After his high school graduation, he continued his education at the Virginia Military Institute, graduating with the class of 2009 with a bachelor's degree in Business and Economics with a concentration in Entrepreneurship. While at VMI he served as Alpha Company Executive Officer and President of the "Big Red Club", as well as a member of Kappa Alpha Order Fraternity upon graduation. Also after graduation he became a member of the Institute Society at a leadership position within The Virginia Military Institute. Bradley, also serves as his VMI class of 2009 class agent. Bradley is also a graduate of John Tyler Community College where he earned a degree in Mortuary Science. He also is a Notary Public in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Bradley is married to Ashley Blackman Simpson, formerly of Richmond, Virginia, and they have a baby girl, Payton Leo Simpson. In his leisure time he enjoys golfing, and is a strong supporter of VMI and VMI athletics as well as Tennessee Volunteers Football.

Jack Batten - Funeral Assistant

Jack has been here longer than any other staff member, other than Mr. Simpson. Since the beginning he has been a dependable and loyal part of this company. His hard work and dedication through the years have been a great asset to our firm. His love for and commitment to our firm are evident in everything he does. His calming presence brings comfort to the families he serves. Jack is retired from the railroad and he and his wife Joan have made their home in Roanoke for more than 30 years.

Richard Woods - Funeral Assistant

Richard joined our staff in March of 2006 after retiring 31 years from the United States Postal Service and ending his career as Postmaster in the Daleville, Virginia office. He is a native of Roanoke County and is married to Debbie Woods. They have three daughters and enjoy their two grandsons and two granddaughters. Richard and Debbie attend North Roanoke Baptist Church. In his off time, Richard enjoys collecting military items and working outside in the yard. In his work here at Simpson's, he is a very detail oriented person who, along with other staff members, works to make a family's time here at the funeral home as comfortable as possible. Richard maintains the roses and flower gardens around our facility and helps in the upkeep and maintenance of the funeral home.

Glen Markham - Funeral Assistant

Glen joined our staff in 2004. Like all the Assistants, Glen gives his all in making sure the family’s request are met and pays close attention to the details. Glen is married to Sue Sprinkel Markham of Fincastle and they reside in Roanoke County with their dog, Dolly.

He and his wife attend the Williamson Road Church of the Brethren, was employed by Red Bird Garage and Towing for 22 years before purchasing the business and was owner/operator for additional 25 years before retiring. Glen is also responsible for maintenance on the vehicles and upkeep on the building.

Gilbert Yopp - Funeral Assistant

Gilbert joined our staff in 2018 following a 31 year career with Ingersoll-Rand and a 15 year career with R.R. Donnelly. He is a native of Roanoke and is a veteran of the United States Navy. He is married to Fay Yopp and they have two daughters. They are also proud grandparents and great-grandparents. Gilbert and Fay are members of North Roanoke Baptist Church. Gilbert believes that this is the most rewarding job he has ever had and regrets not doing it sooner. His ability to interact with people and his attention to detail make families very comfortable. When not working at the funeral home he also works with Tour Roanoke, where he leads food and cultural tours and shares the history of downtown Roanoke with visitors and residents alike.

Paul Sarver - Funeral Assistant

Paul "Bud" Sarver Jr., joined our staff after retiring with 40 years of service from Norfolk Southern Railroad. He is a native of Roanoke County and graduated from Northside High School in 1973. He now resides in Botetourt County with his wife, Freida Sluder Sarver. They have one son and two grandchildren. Paul and Freida are members of Hollins Road Baptist Church where he serves as a deacon. He and Freida both serve on the property & maintenance and food service teams. In his leisure time Paul enjoys fishing and gardening. The rest of the staff look forward to his fresh vegetables every year.

Richard Rinehart - Funeral Assistant

Richard joined our staff in December of 2020. He retired in 2011 after a 43 year career in the banking industry. He and his wife Karen moved to Roanoke in 2014 after living in Florida for 52 years. In his spare time he enjoys riding his Harley Davidson Trike on the Blue Ridge Parkway. 

Ernie Dale - Funeral Assistant

Ernie joined our staff in 2020 as one of our part time associates. He is a graduate of the Virginia Intermont College where he obtained his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration & Management. He has worked for the federal government for over 29 years and has operated his own tour company for over 22 years, traveling all over the country and to various other countries. Ernie is a gifted photographer and has a great deal of knowledge about the Roanoke Valley.

Carol Parker - Hostess

Carol S. Parker joined our staff in March of 2019. She is one of the first smiling faces you will see as you enter our building. Her personality and calming presence make families feel comfortable. She retired in 2018 after 40 years in the medical billing field. She enjoys serving others and helping with services. She enjoys spending time with her daughter, family and her furry grandbabies. She is an active member of Melrose Baptist Church where she serves as a deacon and works on numerous committees. She also enjoys reading, working in her flower gardens and crafting.

Veronica Grantham - Cosmetologist

Veronica has been on our staff for 20 years and has been a licensed cosmetologist for 38 years. She graduated from Lord Botetourt High School as well as Botetourt Vocational School. She is an avid music lover. She works diligently behind the scenes to ensure that each family is pleased with their loved ones appearance. Veronica is Owner/Operator of Grantham Hair Design in Roanoke.

Janie Inge - Housekeeper

Janie has been with us since the beginning, making sure our facility is neat and tidy for the families we serve. Janie goes above and beyond for us.