Grief Support for Kids

Grief is a journey; a most-difficult, heart-wrenching, gut-churning journey. It’s not a place you would ask to go, but everyone who has ever loved someone will make this journey at some point in their life.

There is no preparation for this journey. We all enter into it the first time completely unprepared emotionally, spiritually and mentally. Even when we’ve spent months or years watching a loved one’s health deteriorate and tell ourselves to believe we are ready for the finality of their death … we’re not.

Activity: Find a pad of paper, a blank journal, or simply a notebook and a pen you love to use – something that writes smoothly and effortlessly. Take time and write a letter to the loved one who has died, tell them all that you love and appreciate about your experience of them sharing all the positive memories you can remember.

What you’ll learn from this exercise is the recognition of your resiliency and the gift the person was in your life – you are strong and you will survive this latest loss. Embrace the process, don’t resist it. You will discover that sorrow moves into joy and love will keep your memories alive forever.

Cynthia Thomas
Community

A native of Corsicana, Texas, Cynthia has dedicated over 20 years to serving the D/FW metroplex in the healthcare industry. With an extensive background in customer service and a natural ability to create a peaceful and comforting atmosphere, Cynthia is known for her patience, warmth, and compassion.

At Mansfield Funeral Home & Cremations, Cynthia brings a deep sense of care to every family she serves, offering comfort and support during life’s most difficult moments. Her dedication to providing exceptional service ensures that each family feels respected and valued during their time of loss.

Anita Carol Lyons Dawson
Funeral Service Ambassador

Anita Lyons Dawson is a Dallas native. She is a dedicated professional with a heart to serve God and God’s people with unconditional love, joy, and patience. She believes that serving others is not driven by emotion but is an essential part of her purpose and one of the most powerful, necessary actions we can take for one another.

She is the proud mother of two sons and five grandchildren. In addition to her extensive background as a social worker, Minister Dawson is a certified Grief Educator. She is passionate about teaching, faith, and encouraging others. Anita loves to cook, travel, and spend quality time with her family and close friends.

Certrell Russell
Funeral Service Ambassador

Certrell Russell is a devoted worship leader, accomplished choir director, and passionate funeral service professional whose life’s work centers on ministry through music and compassionate care. With over two decades of experience in music ministry, he began directing choirs at just 14 and has since founded The Choir Hour LLC and The Choir of the Hour, both dedicated to preserving and reviving choral music in modern worship. As the current Director of the Renew Young Adult Choir at Antioch Fellowship Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, and Musical Director for the Bridge Convention of the National Baptist Convention of America, Certrell inspires a new generation of worshipers through dynamic leadership and heartfelt musical expression. His debut single, “O God,” showcases his deep faith and artistic talent. In addition to his musical achievements, Certrell has found deep purpose in serving families as a Funeral Service Ambassador at Mansfield Funeral Home & Cremations, where his love for the funeral service industry shines through in every act of empathy and support. A graduate of Northwestern State University of Louisiana with an Associate Degree in General Studies, Certrell is committed to uplifting others—whether through song, service, or sincere human connection.

Gwendolyn Miles
Funeral Service Ambassador

Gwen, a native of Austin, TX, has dedicated her career to serving others. With over 30 years of experience in the financial industry, she has built expertise in customer service, leadership, and professional development. Her passion for helping people extends beyond finance, as she is committed to supporting families during their times of need. A proud mother of two, Gwen has instilled in them the values of service and giving back to their communities.

Sparkles Grace
Funeral Service Ambassador

A proud native of Dallas, Texas, Sparkles is currently pursuing her education at the Dallas Institute of Funeral Services. With two years of dedicated experience in the funeral service industry, Sparkles has consistently demonstrated love, compassion, empathy, and care for the families she serves.

For Sparkles, guiding families through their time of loss is more than just a profession—it is a calling. She considers it a privilege and honor to walk alongside God’s people, offering unwavering support and comfort as they say goodbye to their loved ones.

With a deep heart for service and a commitment to excellence, Sparkles strives to provide every family with the respect, dignity, and care they deserve during life’s most difficult moments.

Briana Peoples
Desairologist

With over 20 years of experience in the beauty industry, Briana Peoples is a Licensed Cosmetologist who has built a distinguished career marked by exceptional service and expertise. Throughout her career, she obtained certification as a Cosmetology Instructor and has spent many years providing outstanding customer service to the public.

In 2018, following the loss of her mother, Briana experienced a profound, life-changing moment that led her to transition into the funeral service industry. Wanting to share her final moments with her mother, Briana decided to do her mother’s makeup for the funeral—a decision that deeply impacted her and inspired her to pursue a career in funeral services.

Currently, Briana is enrolled in the Mortuary Science School, specializing in the Funeral Director/Embalmer Program, furthering her commitment to serving families during their time of need. As a Resident Desairologist at Mansfield Funeral Home & Cremations, she provides cosmetic services with care and excellence, offering families the peace of mind that their loved ones will be presented with the utmost respect and dignity.

Briana’s deep empathy and compassion drive her to help families navigate their grief with care and support, ensuring that every detail is handled with love and professionalism.

Jessica Potter
Office Clerk and Provisional Funeral Director/Embalmer

A Southern California native, Jessica Potter is a dedicated Provisional Funeral Director and Embalmer and currently a student at the Dallas Institute of Funeral Services. She entered the funeral profession in 2024, driven by a deep sense of purpose, compassion, and a commitment to helping others during their most challenging moments.

Jessica’s journey into funeral service is profoundly personal. After losing her best friend to suicide at the age of 14, she felt a strong calling to support others in their grief, offering comfort and guidance through life’s hardest goodbyes. This experience has shaped her unwavering dedication to serving families with empathy, dignity, and care, ensuring that each farewell is handled with respect and honor.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Jessica enjoys reading, crocheting, baking, and spending quality time with her fiancé. With a passion for turning sorrow into solace, Jessica is committed to making a meaningful impact in the lives of those she serves, providing essential support and comfort during times of loss.

Myrtle Bailey-Lowe
Licensed Funeral Director

Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Myrtle Bailey-Lowe has dedicated her career to serving others with compassion, integrity, and professionalism. With a background in the healthcare industry, she has developed invaluable skills in leadership, customer service, and advocacy—qualities that now guide her work in funeral service.

As a Licensed Funeral Director at Mansfield Funeral Home & Cremations, Myrtle is honored to support families with honesty, sincerity, and unwavering dedication. She believes in creating meaningful and personalized experiences, ensuring that every family she serves feels comforted and cared for during their time of need.

Myrtle is married to Vernon Lowe and is a proud mother to her son, LD Bailey, a student at the University of North Texas in Denton. She remains committed to helping others navigate loss with grace and dignity, upholding the highest standards of service and care.

Breeanna Banks
Office Manager – Frisco

Originally from Texarkana, Texas, Breeanna Banks is a seasoned healthcare professional with over 10 years of experience. Her dedication to service, leadership, and compassionate care makes her an invaluable asset to Mansfield Funeral Home & Cremations at Frisco.

Breeanna excels in balancing her professional responsibilities with her personal life as a devoted spouse and mother of two. Her commitment to excellence and heartfelt approach ensures that every family she serves receives the highest level of care and support during their time of need.

Kevin D. Brooks
Office Manager – Crematory and Provisional Funeral Director

A native of Dallas, Texas, Kevin is dedicated to serving families with compassion, care, and excellence. He is a 2005 graduate of Lincoln Humanities/Communications Magnet High School and a proud United States Navy veteran, having honorably served from 2005 to 2009.

With over 20 years of experience in the funeral service industry, Kevin remains committed to providing families with the highest level of support during their time of need. His daily mission at Mansfield Funeral Home & Cremations is to serve each family in the “Spirit of Excellence.”

Myiesha Fields
COO and Licensed Funeral Director

A proud native of Dallas, Texas, Myiesha brings a wealth of experience and dedication to her role as a Licensed Funeral Director at Mansfield Funeral Home & Cremations. She graduated from the School of Health Professions in 1993 and later pursued her passion for funeral service, earning her degree in Mortuary Science in Fall 2020.

With over 16 years of experience in a classified and high-security profession, Myiesha upholds the highest standards of dignity, excellence, and discretion in serving families. Her background in customer service has equipped her with the ability to provide compassionate guidance and unwavering support to those in need.

As a devoted mother of two adult sons, Myiesha understands the profound importance of family and the need for care and respect during life’s most challenging moments.

“It is my honor to serve each family with compassion, respect, and dignity.”