Students from different walks attracted to new mortuary program
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Several generations of students in Wichita Falls remember "Mrs. White" as their sixth grade language arts teacher, a woman passionate about passing on the skills necessary for writing everything from college essays to thank-you notes.
However, in December, Gail White, a student in Amarillo College's mortuary science program, took off her teacher's hat to become a funeral director, a role she has wanted to assume all her life.
"I began my teaching career as a special education aide, teaching children with special needs," White explained, and after seven years, went to Midwestern State University, where I earned my teaching credentials."
Two years ago, she retired from the sixth grade classroom after teaching language arts for more than two decades.
White grew up in Olney, a rural community in north central Texas, about 100 miles west of Fort Worth.
"From the time we were small, our parents took us to funeral services," White remembered. "They never shielded us from death. That's when I first noticed Mr. Lunn, our local funeral director, how professional he was and how much people in our community respected him."
Luke Lunn, a third-generation funeral director, was also there when White's family experienced four deaths in five years.
"He took such good care of us," White said, "and I've always measured every funeral I've attended against what Mr. Lunn would have done."
As she continued to think about funeral service and was nearing retirement, the mother of one of her students, a funeral director, visited with her and suggested she could get her license during her summer vacations.
That opened more doors for White. When she decided to pursue her license after her retirement and announced her plans to her husband, he was immediately supportive, saying, "I've always believed you could and should do whatever your heart desires."White has appreciated that support as she's worked her way through the various requirements of certification that have included many hours at the computer.
"Last summer, I moved to Dallas, where I worked at Hughes Funeral Home for my 40-hours clinical," said White. "In Dallas, I was close enough so I could help my daughter when she gave birth to triplets. It wasn't the easiest routine, but I was glad I could be there to help as the babies came home from the hospital."
Now working as a provisional at Owens & Brumley Funeral Home in Wichita Falls, White continues to be inspired by the directors, and especially the older employees who are so dedicated and take great pride in their work.
Of all the duties of a funeral director, the retired teacher finds paperwork the most difficult.
"I love being with families and going out on funerals, but the paperwork is the most challenging," she said. "It's much like when I was an educator. In school, teaching was what I was there for, but then there was the paperwork, so extensive and so time consuming."
What has surprised her most about her studies leading to licensure?
"There is so much to learn, especially the historical aspect of funeral service, but the background is so interesting and that was challenging for me--learning the history of funeral directing," she said. "The different beliefs people have about the afterlife is also interesting, as is just about every part of the profession."
As she has continued working toward her license, White said she rarely goes out on a funeral where she doesn't know someone and she's found her former students are often surprised to see her in a totally different career--and one that she already loves.As she reaches the end of her training at Amarillo College, White looks forward to meeting with families so she can help them create meaningful services that personally honor each loved one.
"I want to help them create a service they'll remember, no matter what it's like," she said. "That's what I hope to do for them. As a family grieves, they would never think, 'That funeral was the best day of my life,' but as their funeral director, I do want them to feel their loved one would be pleased to be honored in this way."
Another continuing inspiration is her memory of Luke Lunn and his funeral home in Olney.
"Mr. Lunn, by example, taught a quiet dignity and a respect for every family he served" said White. "Like Mr. Lunn, I realize there are no do-overs. You must do it right every time because in funeral service, you don't get a second chance. You can only do it once for them and it should be your best--every time."
From: Texas Director, January 2011 issue. Reproduced by permission.