Our History...
Good Shepherd Funeral Home is one of the oldest black owned and operated businesses in Central Louisiana. It was founded by Roy Herbert Stafford in 1932, as Stafford and Sons Funeral Home. The name was later changed to Good Shepherd Funeral Home with the motto, “The Poor Man’s Friend.”
After World War I, Roy began working at Williams Funeral Home. He and his wife Julia worked side by side selling burial insurance until opening what is now known as Good Shepherd Funeral Home.
Upon Roy’s death, his wife took over the business with her sons Colton, Lonnie and Marvin (Bobby) Stafford. Julia Stafford and her sons continued to run the business until Colton’s death. Julia’s daughter, Earlene Stafford Rich moved from California in the early 50’s to assist her mother and brothers with running the family business. In 1956, Earlene obtained her Funeral Director’s License and would run the family business until her death.
After the passing of Julia Stafford, Earlene and her husband James Rich continued to manage the family business until their deaths in 2003 and 2004 respectively. Earlene would serve as Funeral Director and her husband James acted as the Licensed Insurance Agent and the Notary Public for the business.
After Mr. and Mrs. Rich’s death, a longtime family friend who interned and obtained her Funeral Director’s License under Mrs. Rich, Florence Greene began to manage the business alongside longtime family friend Mr. Maurice Colson, a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer, until her death.
In 2006, Mrs. Earlene’s granddaughter, Temika “KiKi” Dixon obtained her Funeral Director’s License and Insurance License and began to work alongside Ms. Greene and Mr. Colson. Temika obtained her high school diploma from Peabody Magnet High School, her BS in Social Work from Southern University and A&M College and her MS in Social Work from Grambling State University.
Joining the family business is Brittany R. Dixon. She is the daughter of Herbert B. Dixon and Bonnie Figgins Dixon and the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. James E. Rich. She earned her B.A. Degree in English Liberal Arts from Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 2012. In 2013, she completed her Funeral Director’s Internship and currently serves as the Manager, Funeral Director and Licensed Insurance Agent at the firm.
After World War I, Roy began working at Williams Funeral Home. He and his wife Julia worked side by side selling burial insurance until opening what is now known as Good Shepherd Funeral Home.
Upon Roy’s death, his wife took over the business with her sons Colton, Lonnie and Marvin (Bobby) Stafford. Julia Stafford and her sons continued to run the business until Colton’s death. Julia’s daughter, Earlene Stafford Rich moved from California in the early 50’s to assist her mother and brothers with running the family business. In 1956, Earlene obtained her Funeral Director’s License and would run the family business until her death.
After the passing of Julia Stafford, Earlene and her husband James Rich continued to manage the family business until their deaths in 2003 and 2004 respectively. Earlene would serve as Funeral Director and her husband James acted as the Licensed Insurance Agent and the Notary Public for the business.
After Mr. and Mrs. Rich’s death, a longtime family friend who interned and obtained her Funeral Director’s License under Mrs. Rich, Florence Greene began to manage the business alongside longtime family friend Mr. Maurice Colson, a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer, until her death.
In 2006, Mrs. Earlene’s granddaughter, Temika “KiKi” Dixon obtained her Funeral Director’s License and Insurance License and began to work alongside Ms. Greene and Mr. Colson. Temika obtained her high school diploma from Peabody Magnet High School, her BS in Social Work from Southern University and A&M College and her MS in Social Work from Grambling State University.
Joining the family business is Brittany R. Dixon. She is the daughter of Herbert B. Dixon and Bonnie Figgins Dixon and the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. James E. Rich. She earned her B.A. Degree in English Liberal Arts from Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 2012. In 2013, she completed her Funeral Director’s Internship and currently serves as the Manager, Funeral Director and Licensed Insurance Agent at the firm.