VIRGINIA BEACH – During their annual convention held at The Cavalier Hotel on June 27, the Virginia Funeral Directors Association (VFDA) elected a new slate of officers, with Frankie Sheridan of Sheridan Funeral Home, Inc., in Kents Store, Va., serving as president. VFDA Executive Director Lacy Whittaker said, “We welcome Frankie to the leadership role, as he has nearly 40 years of industry experience and is well-known and very highly-respected throughout the Commonwealth.”

Sheridan joined the funeral industry after studying Mortuary Science at John Tyler Community College in 1972. He actually grew up in the business, though, as his father, Andrew M. Sheridan, Sr. founded the family funeral home business 58 years ago in Kents Store. Explains Frankie, “ The third Sheridan generation, my nephew Paul, has been working there for about eight years and my little grandson comes to funerals and helps out sometimes too.”

In addition to his work in funeral services, Sheridan also served in the Coast Guard for 26 years. His non-profit volunteer work includes being president of Central Virginia Community Health Services, serving as a trustee at Byrd Chapel United Methodist Church, Chief 31 of the Fluvanna Volunteer Fire Department and a life member of the Fluvanna Rescue Squad. He is also active in both the Masonic Lodge and the Acca Temple Shrine.

Sheridan is a lifelong resident of Kents Store, where he resides with his wife Virginia “Puddin’.” They have two children, Patrick and Nikki and one grandson, Timothy, 7. 

Serving on the Board of Directors of the Virginia Funeral Directors Association with President Frankie Sheridan are:

     Michael Smith, President-Elect

     Bob Oman, First Vice President

     Robert Finch, Jr., Second Vice President

     Les Powell, Secretary-Treasurer                             2010-2012

     Michael E.M. Turch, Immediate Past President

     Ted Castle, Chaplain                                                   (appointed yearly)

     Robert “Bud” Hazelgrove, Sergeant-At-Arms       (appointed yearly)

     J. Michael Williams, 2 year At-Large                      2010-2012

     Larry Joines, 2 year At-Large                                   2010-2012

     Randolph Hite, 1 year At-Large                               2011-2012

     Wayne Lovelace, 1 year At-Large                          2011-2012

     James Riffe, Jr., Blue Ridge District                       2009-2012

     Bertha Fleming, Central District                             2011-2014

     Reesey Spann , Northern District                          2011-2014

     Tommy Slusser, Shenandoah District                    2009-2012

     Kevin Brown, Southside District                            2009-2012

     Ted Castle, Southwest District                                2009-2012

     Meyer Davis, Tidewater District                            2011-2014

The mission of the Virginia Funeral Directors Association is to serve its members by providing and promoting programs and services to enhance members’ abilities to conduct their individual businesses successfully with integrity and through collective action to promote the extension and preservation of the profession; to serve the consumer by advancing the professional competency and economic welfare of its membership; by representing funeral service at all levels of government; and by enhancing the public's understanding of the value of the funeral and the role of the funeral service practitioner.

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