We are honored to share that Bonnie Morrison has been named the recipient of the Mildred N. Lucas Lifetime Achievement Award. A proud Amarillo native, Bonnie began her career in funeral service in 1997 at Schooler Funeral Home. She was part of the inaugural Mortuary Science class at Amarillo College, graduating in 2000. Over the next 26 years, she served hundreds of families across the Texas Panhandle with compassion and care at both Schooler and Angel Funeral Home into a leadership role as manager of both locations in 2008. In 2017, Bonnie and her husband Jim relocated to North Carolina, where she managed Brooks Funeral Home and Crematory. She returned to Texas in 2019 and continued serving families in the Concho Valley during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, she made her way back to Amarillo to once again serve the community she calls home. Bonnie is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in both Texas and North Carolina. She is also a certified celebrant, crematory operator, and an active member of her community. Her career reflects a deep commitment to service, leadership, and compassion for the families she serves. Please join us in congratulating Bonnie Patrick Morrison on this well-deserved recognition.

Please join us in welcoming Tristan Herrera as the new Managing Funeral Director of Martinez West Funeral Home and Crematory, West Odessa, Texas. Tristan was born and raised in Lubbock, Texas, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Texas Tech University, followed by a Master of Business Administration. His early career as a fitness specialist at Covenant Lifestyle Centre allowed him to work closely with patients recovering from cardiac and respiratory trauma and reinforced his passion in caring for others. Driven by that calling, Tristan entered the funeral profession and graduated from the Dallas Institute of Funeral Services in 2025. He gained hands-on experience with Combest Family Funeral Homes and is licensed as both a funeral director and embalmer. Tristan is committed to serving families with compassion, professionalism, and integrity. Outside of work, he enjoys life with his wife, Gabby, and their two dogs, Bear and Mia, and continues to prioritize wellness and personal growth. We’re excited to have Tristan step into this leadership role and look forward to the impact he will make at Martinez West Funeral Home and Crematory.

We are pleased to share that the newly established Martinez West Funeral Home in Odessa, Texas, recently celebrated its Grand Opening with a community-wide event on January 22, welcoming more than 300 guests. Led by Managing Funeral Director, Tristan Herrera, alongside Area Manager, Billy Vallie Jr., the Grand Opening celebration brought together families, friends, and community members for an afternoon of connection and hospitality. Guests enjoyed catering by the local Chuck Wagon Gang and live music by Mariachi band Son de Chihuahua, creating a warm and festive atmosphere throughout the event. Martinez West Funeral Home and Crematory is located in west Odessa. Together with Martinez Funeral Home and Crematory on South Dixie Boulevard and Sunset Memorial Gardens off I-20, we are positioned to support every family across Odessa, offering thoughtful services and options to meet a full range of needs and budgets. The strong turnout and positive community response reflect the important role Martinez West Funeral Home plays in serving families with compassion, professionalism, and care. We’re proud to welcome this location as it continues to build meaningful relationships within the community. Please join us in congratulating the Martinez West Funeral Home team on a successful Grand Opening and this exciting milestone

We’re excited to announce that Memorial Oaks Chapel has officially opened a new location in Carmine, Texas. Located at 107 Augsburg Avenue in Carmine, the new location will serve the communities of Round Top, Carmine, La Grange, Giddings, Burton, Windale, Warrenton, and the surrounding communities. This expansion reflects our continued commitment to providing compassionate, professional service close to home.  An Open House Grand Opening celebration was held on December 3, 2025, welcoming approximately 185 community members. Guests enjoyed catering from JW’s Steakhouse, and live music from the Black Cat Choir Trio, helping make the event both welcoming and memorable. We’re happy to share that the Carmine location is now open and available for services. Thank you to everyone who helped make this Grand Opening and event a success. Please join us in congratulating the Memorial Oaks Chapel team on this exciting milestone.

We are pleased to welcome Cassie Flanner as the new Training and Development Coach for Legacy Funeral Group. Originally from Anchorage, Alaska, Cassie grew up in a military family—an experience that shaped her adaptability, curiosity about human behavior, and commitment to serving others. She began her career in funeral service in 2002 and brings more than two decades of industry experience to her role. Cassie holds advanced degrees in mortuary science and criminal justice, including a PhD in Criminal Justice, and has published academic research focused on criminal behavior and justice. She also serves as an instructor at the Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service, where she supports and prepares students for careers in funeral service. In addition to her professional background, Cassie is actively involved in the community and serves as Treasurer of the Rotary Club of Cypress Fairbanks. She is also engaged with several professional organizations, including the National Funeral Directors Association and the Texas Funeral Directors Association. We’re excited to have Cassie join the Legacy family and look forward to the leadership, insight, and support she will bring to our training and development initiatives.

The 2025 Christmas season was filled with celebration and community spirit in Ozark, Alabama, as the Kiwanis Club of Ozark hosted its annual Christmas Parade. Among the many festive entries, Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home proudly participated with a beautifully designed float that captured the heart of the community - earning an impressive 2nd place award. The float was brought to life through the dedication and collaboration of several team members and friends. Special recognition goes to Lauren Chancey, Elizabeth Gericke, Justin English, and Jason and Megan DiFilippo. Lauren Chancey and Megan DiFilippo crafted many of the float’s decorations by hand, investing significant time and creativity into making the display truly stand out. Jason and Megan DiFilippo generously contributed their time and talent, helping transform the vision into a festive reality. Their combined efforts resulted in a float that reflected not only the joy of the season, but also the strong relationships and community ties that define Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home. Events like the Ozark Christmas Parade highlight the power of community connection. From planning and decorating to celebrating alongside neighbors and friends, the experience was a meaningful reminder of the funeral home’s commitment to being actively involved in the lives of the families they serve. "We truly enjoy being one with our community, and we’re already looking forward to creating even more memories together." -John Cawley, Managing Funeral Director

This holiday season, funeral homes across the Legacy Funeral Group family came together with a shared purpose: to honor and support the hospice organizations that walk alongside families during life’s most tender moments. ​ In each community, our locations proudly presented donations to hospice partners who provide compassionate, end-of-life care rooted in comfort, dignity, and peace. These organizations serve patients in their homes, assisted living communities, hospitals, and inpatient centers-ensuring that families receive physical, emotional, and spiritual support when they need it most. ​ At Legacy, our mission of serving families extends beyond the services we provide each day. Hospice teams offer care that emphasizes quality of life, holistic support, and individualized attention. Their nurses, caregivers, social workers, and volunteers make an extraordinary difference in the lives of patients and loved ones navigating serious illness and loss. ​ Throughout December, our funeral homes proudly presented donations to local hospice partners who bring comfort, dignity, and peace to families navigating life’s most tender moments. ​ Each partnership reflects a deep, shared commitment to serving families with compassion and integrity. In many of our communities, funeral directors and hospice teams work closely together to ensure continuity of care, supporting families not only in moments of loss but throughout the entire end-of-life journey. ​ We are profoundly grateful for the meaningful relationships we have built with these organizations. Their dedication to comfort, dignity, and hope aligns closely with the values we hold at Legacy Funeral Group. ​ As we reflect on this season of giving, we are proud to stand alongside our hospice partners and contribute to the vital work they do every day in communities across the country.

On Wednesday, December 17th, members of the Legacy family gathered at the home office for the annual Cajun Christmas Luncheon, a tradition that celebrates the holiday season and the year’s accomplishments. Guests enjoyed authentic chicken and sausage gumbo, followed by a dessert potluck featuring a variety of holiday favorites. The afternoon also included an Ugly Sweater Contest, where participants showcased their most creative and spirited seasonal attire. Additionally, each year Legacy invites every funeral home to participate in the annual Ornament Contest, encouraging locations to submit thoughtful and creative ornaments that reflect their communities and unique identities. View this year's winners below: