Our Staff

Tiffany Cooper-Aguilar

Owner/Funeral Director/Embalmer

Tiffany Cooper-Aguilar graduated from the San Antonio College with a AAS in Mortuary Science in 2013. She previously earned her apprenticeship and provisional license at the Zoeller Funeral Home in New Braunfels and the Goetz Funeral Home (SCI) in Seguin. In the fall of 2013, she secured the FDIC position at Palmer Mortuary & Cremations (Legacy Funeral Group) in Seguin.

In 2015, she was awarded the Funeral Director of the Year for Legacy and was promoted to location manager. Over the next three years to follow, in 2018, she worked diligently to build up her reputation and career, earning her spot in the Meet the Mentors Program in Atlanta, Ga., for the National Funeral Directors Association, awarded The Young Professional of the Year for the South Central Chapter of the Texas Funeral Directors Association, awarded Young Professional of the Year for TFDA at the State Convention and also landing an article in a national publication, the American Director.

Tiffany remained in her position at Palmer Mortuary & Cremations and Goetz Funeral Home until December 2018. She was briefly a Service Manager for the National Cremation Service (SCI Direct) in San Antonio.  And then briefly worked for the Thomas Funeral Home firms, floating between their three locations in San Marcos, Wimberley, and Lockhart. She then settled in at the Chapel Hill Funeral Home, Crematory & Memorial Park (Park Lawn Corp.), in San Antonio before she relocated to East Texas at the end of 2021. At Chapel Hill, she received her license as a Crematory Operator and served as the interim Location Manager and Lead Funeral Director.

She began working contract labor throughout the state in 2019. She is the president and (sole) owner of Aguilar Funeral Services, LLC. And in February 2022, Tiffany became the proud owner of the Mount Vernon Memorial Funeral Home in Mount Vernon, Texas. She continues to provide support to rural and privately owned funeral homes throughout the state and runs her funeral home, all at the same time.

In the past Tiffany has remained involved with the Texas Funeral Directors Association, serving as a board member (past President, Vice President, and Secretary/Treasurer) with the South-Central Chapter, Texas Funeral Directors Association - Disaster Team and served on several committees for the association. Now that she has settled in East Texas, she will set her sights on participating in the TFDA’s East Chapter.

Locally, in East Texas, she is a member of the Mount Vernon Rotary Club, the Franklin County Chamber, the Titus County Chamber, the Mount Vernon Key Club, Board Member of the Office of Multicultural Affairs of NETX, Board Member of the Workforce Solutions of Northeast Texas, volunteers regularly for Cypress Basin Hospice and has participated twice, being a noted speaker for the Drug Awareness Seminar that highlights the dangers of drug use.

In the fall of 2023, Tiffany presented Vital Statistics CEU’s for The Gathering (October) in Wolfe City and The Texas Funeral Directors Association’s – South Central Chapter’s Fall Social (November), where she also partnered with Chet Robbins to co-present CEU’s on Sexual Harassment as well.

Tiffany enjoys traveling, shopping at flea markets, thrifting, touring funeral homes, exploring cemeteries, has a huge heart for animals and spending time with her husband (and fellow Mortician) Chris Aguilar, and their daughter, Kamille.

Telephone: 1-903-243-7962

Email: 

Donya Barker

Funeral Director

Donya Barker is a life-long resident of Franklin County. She recently received her funeral directors license and is currently working to obtain her embalmer's license. Donya has worked in the funeral industry, locally, since 2016.

She has worked in the healthcare field for more than 30 years, with the last 17 being in home health.  

Donya is the Secretary/Treasurer for North Franklin VFD, Secretary/Treasurer for Franklin County Firefighters Association, Director of Hagansport Community Center, Director of Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, member of School Health Advisory Council, member of MVISD District Effectiveness Committee, Mentor with Mt. Vernon Cares, and the Secretary for Fairview Cemetery Association.  

Donya is married to Rusty Barker of the Hagansport Community. Together, they have five children and six grandchildren, who are the joys of her life. They attend church at the Sulphur Bluff Assembly of God.  

During her spare time, she enjoys shopping and spending time with the grandchildren.

Email: 

Amelia Aguilar

Funeral Home Admin

Amelia Aguilar is a resident of Naples, TX. She is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, and she teaches 2nd grade at Paul Pewitt Elementary.

Amelia is the mother of two beautiful children, both live in Mississippi, where they attend college. Amelia enjoys reading and spending time with her family.

She is happy to work alongside her aunt, Tiffany and cousins. 

Email: 

Johanna Castro

Ambassador - Hablo Español

Johanna Castro has been a resident of Sulphur Springs, Tx for over 40 years.  A loving mother of two wonderful children. She enjoys being involved in their everyday lives, their extracurricular activities, cooking their favorite meals and spending quality time with them.  

She is excited to be a team member, working alongside her aunt, Tiffany and her cousins.

Known as people person, with a bright personality. Johanna is also bilingual, a licensed pre-planning insurance agent and looks forward to serving your family with excellent customer service. 

Email: 

Jose Gaspar

Ambassador - Hablo Español

Jose joins our team with several years of funeral home experience. He is bilingual and looks forward to serving at our firm. 

He is a resident of Winnsboro, Texas, and enjoys spending time with his wife and their daughter. 

Email: 

Brandi L. Howard

Funeral Attendant

Brandi L. Howard, a resident of the Lake Cypress area, is married to Taboris Howard and they have 3 children. She enjoys spending time with her family, learning about geology, and reading. 

She is licensed to sell funeral pre-plans and life insurance.

You can count on Brandi to greet you with a smile and sincere heart. 

Telephone: 1-903-243-7666

Email: 

Yesenia Maicas

Ambassador

Yesenia is a resident of Sulphur Springs and she graduated from Tyler Junior College as a Registered Dental Assistant.

She enjoys spending time with her family and her boyfriend, Bryant.

Yesenia is happy to work alongside her aunt and cousins. You can depend on her to greet you with excellent customer service. 

Email: 

T. Kamille Aguilar

Social Media Content Creator

T. Kamille Aguilar, currently attends the University of Texas in Austin, double majoring in Government and Rhetoric and Writing with a minor in Sociology. She is a member of the Alpha Xi Delta Sorority and holds officer positions within the chapter.

She has grown up in the funeral profession from the age of 5 years old and is proud to work with her mom, Tiffany, and her cousins, at the funeral home.

She has two cats named Willow and Eve, enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her friends. 

Email: 

Rosie Lee Aguilar

Pet Ambassador

Rosie Lee Aguilar has been raised in the funeral profession since the age of 9 months. She is no stranger to greeting families and other canines that may visit. 

She is gentle and loves head scratches. She enjoys riding in the car, diving in mud puddles and rolling in cow poop.

She is 6 years old, has four feline siblings, Cairo Rae, Rascals Johnny, Priscilla Presley and Indie Aguilar.

Dressed in black and white, Rosie is ready to work every day. 

Telephone: 1-903-588-2600

Email: