Meet "The Firm"

Eric Vaughn Wray II, Founder/FSL

President - Funeral Service Licensee

Eric Vaughn Wray II is a native Portsmouth, a resident of Virginia Beach, Virginia and has over 25 years experience in the Funeral industry and serves as our Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer; holding dual licenses in Virginia & North Carolina.

Eric received his education from the Portsmouth Public School System, and holds an Associates in Applied Science Degree in Funeral Service from John Tyler Community College in Chester, VA. Eric has also matriculated at Norfolk State University and is a graduate of the University of Virginia's historic Thomas C. Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership program.

Eric was appointed in 2011 by Governor Bob McDonnell to serve as the youngest member in the Commonwealth's history, on the Virginia State Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers. This board is the states regulatory board, that governs all Funeral Homes and Funeral Directors throughout the Commonwealth. During his tenure, Eric served as Secretary/Treasurer of the board.

Eric Wray also has served our country during the terror attacks on September 11, 2001 in the United States Navy. His service includes duty stations in Great Lakes, IL, Meridian MS, and Newport, RI. Eric is also active in many community and civic organizations. With his strong Funeral Service background, serving as manager of many area establishments, and formerly employed with SCI, the largest corporation of Funeral Service in North America, Eric has a vast wealth of knowledge in the funeral industry.

In his community service, Eric has been able to bring pastors, community, faith, civic, and labor leaders together with National, State and Local elected officials. He has joined with various political campaigns, who desired to improve the lives of working families, on issues and helped organize a majority in Virginia across race, class and political lines. Eric's main focus is building and maintaining relationships with labor, elected officials, community leaders, pastors and allies to advance the broader community agenda. He also is further responsible for helping to fine-tune public policy, programmatic, and budgetary demands and develop powerful political campaigns to advance the demands.

Professional & Local Associations

Board Member/Secretary Virginia State Board of Funeral Directors

President/CEO of the Virginia Burial Foundation Inc.

Embalmer-Commonwealth of Virginia Anatomical Program

Member of the Hampton University Ministers Conference

Member of the National Funeral Directors Association

Member of the Virginia Funeral Directors Association

Vice Chairman City of Portsmouth Board of Housing

Member City of Portsmouth Social Services Board

Parishioner of Second Calvary Baptist Church

Licensed Life & Annuities Insurance Burial Agent

Executive Secretary of Board of Directors-YMCA of Hampton Roads

Credentials Committee Member- Third Congressional District of Virginia

Vice Chairman - Second Congressional District of Virginia

Writing Publications & Public Speaking Featured

November 2005 & October 2006 Wavy TV 10 Featured News at NOON TV Guest on issues from Politics to Health Care

Keynote Speaker Minority Business Capital Call

Featured Radio Host “The Final Benediction Morning Show” Joyz 100.9 FM

Radio Host 1270 AM "Make a joyful Noise Show"

Guest - 1110 AM "The Specialist Radio Show"

Guest - 1110 AM "The Steve Batton Radio Show"

Judge-Norfolk State University Homecoming Parade

Guest Lecturer Political Science Department Old Dominion University.

Guest Lecturer Chaplain Residency Program Sentara Norfolk General Hospital

Guest Contributor - Funerals Today Magazine “8 steps in Making Funeral Arrangements.

Email:

Ed Turner

Senior Vice President - Franklin

Carl T. "Spanky" Ames

Funeral Service Licensee

Chasta "Babbie" Mangum

Chief of Staff - Senior Family Support

Willie E. Hill

Senior Family Service Support - Team Leader

Louis Hilliard

Senior Funeral Service Support

Leon Alexander

Family Service Support

Lavern Page

Family Service Support

Jasper Blount

Family Service Support

Randy W. Riddick

Family Service Support

Hope Walker

Family Service Support

Shawntrell Paige

Family Service Support

Marlon Jenkins

Junior Family Service Support

Robert A. "Bobby" Steele (In Loving Remembrance)

October 15, 1948 - November 7, 2020

Robert A. "Bobby" Steele was native of Norfolk, and a current resident of Portsmouth. He was the son of the late Dr. Rodger S. & Lucy Hodges Steele.

Bobby, a 1967 graduate of I. C. Norcom High School; and has matriculated at Norfolk State University.

Bobby, was member of Zion Baptist Church, Portsmouth under the leadership of Dr. Kelvin E. Turner. At Zion, Bobby served on the Male Chorus, Mass Choirs and other area churches as a lead singer. He was also a member of the "Drop In" ministry that assists those who are homeless.

Bobby, has received many awards and commendations, in retail and church. Most notable "In Style" Upscale Menswear.

Bobby's mission was having compassion for the elderly. On a consistent basis, he took time out of his busy schedule to assist several elderly persons in the community.

Bobby's upbringing, community connections and career experience, made him ideal to comfort those dealing with the loss of a loved one. His tranquil and gentle spirit was certainly a great asset in serving families here at E. Vaughn Wray, as they deal with difficult times.

Sadly, "Uncle Bobby" (as our staff affectionately called him); was called home to eternal rest on November 7, 2020. "Uncle Bobby"; you certaily left an indelible mark on us and the famillies you served here. You will certainly be missed.

Patrick Riddick

Family Service Support

Gospel music was birthed in the late 1800s, and since then there have been many torch bearers. Arizona Dranes, a blind Church of God in Christ evangelist was the first person to commit the sounds of gospel to a record.

From this rich tradition sprang gospel music’s newest torch bearers, D’vyne Worship. Led by its founder and imitable choir master, Elder Patrick Riddick, this 50 voice aggregate was founded in 2001 in Virginia Beach, Va. ‘DW’ as the choir is affectionately called was born out of the young adult choir Riddick led at his home church, New Jerusalem COGIC. The ministry has spent the last ten years making its musical mark regionally and nationally. Known as a “powerhouse” choir, the individual vocalists who make up the aggregation sing with passion, fervor, intense power and above all, the anointing.

The earth shattering vocals of D’vyne Worship have gotten the attention of the country, but also Riddick’s mentor, the famed Ricky Dillard--founder and leader of New G (the New Generation Chorale). Riddick currently serves as assistant choral director to the group. Riddick is no novice to gospel music. Directing choirs since his youth, he is known country-wide as a master director, arranger, writer and clinician. Riddick received his Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal music from Norfolk State University. With this foundation and a commitment to Christ, Riddick set the tone and tempo of D’vyne Worship.

DW’s musical resume’ is an extensive one, of which they have been blessed to travel the country ministering in song, and sharing stages with some of gospel music’s top artists. Recognized for a well-rounded musical repertoire, DW transitions seamlessly from one gospel music genre to the next. Rooted in the Pentecostal flavoring of the southeast, DW stays true to its church roots while also effectively ministering and performing anthems, gospel ballads, CCM standards, and contemporary gospel.

Sticking with that multifaceted theme, the group’s debut album is entitled A Song for Every Worshipper. “Greater Is He” and “He Kept Me,”—singles from the forthcoming album are available on amazon.com and itunes!

Foraging forward, torch in hand, Patrick Riddick now begins a new chapter, serving the Hampton Roads area grieving families with stellar service that has been E. Vaughn Wray's hallmark.