Mike is a visionary leader and first-generation funeral home owner with a distinguished career spanning funeral service, business management, and municipal engineering. With an unwavering commitment to excellence and compassionate care, he has built a legacy rooted in integrity, professionalism, and community service.
As the owner and operator of a funeral home, Mike has set a premier standard for client satisfaction, ensuring families receive dignified and personalized care. His expertise in business operations, customer service, and strategic planning has positioned him as a respected industry leader. Through continuous innovation and a dedication to service, he has created an organization that prioritizes the needs of every family while fostering meaningful community connections.
In addition to his accomplishments in funeral service, Mike has made significant contributions to municipal infrastructure and land development as a senior engineering technician for the City of Kansas City, MO. His attention to detail, regulatory expertise, and strategic oversight have played a vital role in ensuring compliance and efficiency in the city’s growth and development.
Mike holds a Master of Arts in Business Management from Webster University and a Bachelor of Science in Funeral Service from the University of Central Oklahoma. He is actively engaged in professional organizations, including the National Funeral Directors Association and the Missouri State Funeral Directors and Embalmers Association. His commitment to service extends to his involvement in fraternal and civic organizations, reflecting his dedication to leadership and community enrichment.
Through entrepreneurial vision, industry expertise, and an enduring commitment to compassionate service, Mike continues to make a lasting impact in funeral service and beyond.
Taryn grew up in Bonner Springs, Kansas. Following graduation from high school in 2007, Taryn began attending Kansas City Kansas Community College. Taryn received her Mortuary Science degree in 2009 and is a licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director in both Missouri and Kansas.
Taryn is also a graduate of Fountain National Academy, which is an extensive series of seminars that focus on post-mortem reconstruction. Taryn strives to provide families with a pleasant final viewing experience. She continues to learn and stay updated on the latest information and techniques in order to better serve families during their time of need.
DeJuana is a seasoned financial professional with over 24 years of experience in the accounting and finance industry. Since the founding of Serenity Funeral Home in 2015, she has served as the lead accountant, providing trusted financial oversight and strategic guidance to support the company’s mission and growth.
DeJuana attended Metropolitan Community College, Central Missouri State University, and the University of Missouri–Kansas City, and later completed an accounting program to become certified in 1998. Her educational background and certification laid the foundation for a long-standing and impactful career in financial management.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, DeJuana is passionate about giving back to the community. She is the co-founder of two nonprofit organizations—Men of Vision & Empowerment (M.O.V.E.) and Ladies of Vision & Empowerment (L.O.V.E.)—both committed to mentoring and empowering youth through leadership development and community engagement.
With a heart for service and a commitment to excellence, DeJuana continues to make a lasting impact in both the financial and nonprofit sectors.
Sonya has been a dedicated member of the Serenity team since June 2021, serving as the Human Resources Manager. With more than 20 years of experience in leadership and education, she previously held roles as a program director for Kansas City MO Public Schools, as well as positions in academic and administrative services at Metropolitan Community College and the Kauffman Foundation’s Skilled KC Program.
In her current role, Sonya applies her extensive expertise in strategic leadership, staffing, compliance, benefits administration, program development, operations management, and community engagement to ensure the organization operates with excellence and integrity.
She holds a Dual Master of Arts in Human Resources Management and Human Resources Development from Webster University's School of Business and Technology, along with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a concentration in Human Resources from Missouri Western State College (now Missouri Western State University). Additionally, she is certified by the state of Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in adult education and literacy, as well as high-quality career adult education and literacy.
A passionate advocate for her community, Sonya remains deeply connected to the people and organizations that have shaped her journey. She actively contributes through her involvement as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Amethyst Place, Concerned Mothers and Sisters of High Aspirations, and Lyrik’s Institution’s Advisory Board. Guided by a commitment to lifelong learning and personal growth, she continues to find inspiration in the mentors and experiences that have influenced her path.
Her approach to life and leadership is rooted in her personal mantra: “To thine own self be true,” reflecting her unwavering dedication to authenticity, growth, and service.
Above all, she cherishes the meaningful relationships she has cultivated with family, friends, sorority sisters, and community organizations, with her greatest source of purpose being her teenage son.
Kathy grew up in Boonville, Missouri, where her family has owned and operated the area’s oldest family-owned funeral home for the past 114 years. As a fourth-generation funeral service professional, she obtained her Missouri Funeral Directors License in 1985, continuing her family’s rich legacy of compassionate service.
Kathy earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from Central Missouri State University (now the University of Central Missouri). Following graduation, she embarked on an accomplished career in forensic science, serving as a Criminalist for the Missouri State Highway Patrol Crime Lab and later the Kansas City Police Department Crime Lab. As an expert witness in Firearms Identification, she played a critical role in forensic investigations, eventually rising to the position of Chief Criminalist Supervisor of the Firearms Section before retiring in 2020.
Driven by her lifelong dedication to funeral service, Kathy expanded her credentials by obtaining her Kansas Funeral Directors License in 2019. In May 2021, she joined Serenity Funeral Home as a Funeral Director, where she continues to serve families with professionalism, care, and deep industry knowledge. Committed to staying current in funeral service trends, she has completed extensive continuing education courses to provide the best possible support to the families of Kansas City.
Ryan was born in Coffeyville, Kansas, and relocated to Grandview, Missouri, at the age of eight. He graduated from Grandview Senior High School in 1998 and later attended Longview Community College.
Ryan began his career with Serenity Funeral Home in 2015, initially serving as a contracted musician before transitioning into the role of Funeral Assistant. Driven by a deep commitment to serving families in Kansas City and the surrounding areas, he pursued further involvement in funeral service, becoming an Apprentice Funeral Director. Throughout his apprenticeship, he provided compassionate care to grieving families, expanding his expertise in funeral service.
Although Ryan did not attend mortuary school, his dedication to the profession led him to independently study for Missouri’s required State Laws and Arts Exams. He successfully passed the Missouri Law Examination in 2021 and the Missouri Arts Examination in 2022, earning his credentials as a Licensed Funeral Director and Preneed Agent Funeral Director.
Ryan continues to make an impact in the industry, serving as the State Secretary of The Missouri State Funeral Directors and Embalmers Association and remaining an active member of the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, Inc. Through his leadership, dedication, and passion for funeral service, he strives to support families and uphold the highest standards of professionalism and care.
Michelle grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, where she developed a deep passion for helping grieving families navigate the loss of their loved ones. Even as a young girl, she understood the importance of providing comfort and creating peaceful memories for those in mourning.
In pursuit of her calling, Michelle attended Kansas City Kansas Community College in 1996 and earned her Mortuary Science Degree in 1998. She had the privilege of training under some of Missouri’s most talented embalmers, refining her techniques and cultivating the skills necessary for exceptional care.
After a transformative period of personal growth, Michelle became a licensed Funeral Director in 2015 and later obtained her Preneed Agent certification in 2020. In these roles, she assists families with planning arrangements, visitations, and funeral services, ensuring every detail aligns with their wishes.
With over 26 years in the funeral industry, Michelle remains dedicated to her mission of providing compassionate support during life’s most difficult moments. For her, funeral service is more than a profession—it is a ministry, a calling to serve families with sincerity, empathy, and unwavering commitment.
Shawn D. Smith is a native of Kansas City, Missouri, and a proud graduate of Central High School, Class of 1993. He pursued his undergraduate studies at the University of Missouri-Columbia and later earned a Master of Divinity from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. In 2024, he was honored with a Doctor of Divinity from Faith Bible College.
Shawn began his career in the funeral industry in 2010 and has served faithfully at Serenity Funeral Home since its founding in 2015.
With a strong commitment to community service and ministry, Shawn is deeply passionate about supporting grieving families with compassion, dignity, and respect. His heart for those who are hurting and often marginalized fuels his mission to bring hope, healing, and encouragement to every person he encounters. His approach to service is firmly rooted in his life verse, John 13:35: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Fred has been a proud staff member of Serenity Funeral Home since 2016. He began his career in the funeral service industry in 1990 after having earned his degree in Mortuary Science from Kansas City Kansas Community College. Outside of his work at Serenity, Fred applies his over 30 years of human resources experience in serving as a Recruitment Specialist for the City of Lee’s Summit. When not serving the Lee’s Summit and Serenity communities, Fred enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters, playing tennis and rooting for the Kansas City Chiefs. Fred takes pride in being a part of the Serenity team by providing personalized, dignified services and supporting families during their time of grief.
Herman was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and is a proud graduate of Westport High School. He pursued higher education at Dallas School of Theology and Carver Bible College, deepening his knowledge and commitment to serving others.
With 25 years of experience in the funeral industry, he has spent the past nine years at Serenity Funeral Home, where he continues to provide compassionate care and guidance to families in times of loss. As a licensed and ordained minister, his dedication to helping others extends beyond his profession—it is his life’s calling.
Committed to making a meaningful impact, he plans to continue working with people in every capacity possible, driven by his passion for service and unwavering devotion to his community.
Adraine has been a valued member of Serenity Funeral Home for over seven years, serving as an Office Assistant while diligently pursuing a degree in Mortuary Science at Kansas City Kansas Community College. With a deep commitment to guiding families through life’s most delicate transitions, she is on the path to becoming a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer. Her compassion, attention to detail, and dedication to excellence, allows Adraine to continue serving in the vital role in ensuring seamless support for both grieving families and funeral professionals, embodying professionalism and care in every aspect of her work.
Julia grew up in the Kansas City area and graduated from East High School in 1990. For many years, she devoted herself to raising her family as a stay-at-home mother. Over time, she discovered her true passion—helping others navigate some of life’s most difficult moments.
With more than 20 years of experience supporting grieving families, Julia has spent the past decade at Serenity Funeral Home, where she serves as a funeral assistant and technology specialist. She has become the trusted expert for funeral service video production, sound, and visual coordination, ensuring that every celebration of life is conducted with care, compassion, and respect.
Julia’s commitment to excellence and heartfelt dedication has left a lasting impact on the families she serves. She remains steadfast in her mission to provide comfort, guidance, and thoughtful service, ensuring that every farewell is meaningful, seamless, and deeply personal.
Cynthia is a dedicated office assistant and funeral assistant with 24 years of experience in community support, including a decade of providing compassionate guidance to families in the funeral industry.
As a funeral assistant at Serenity Funeral Home, she specializes in supporting directors and families throughout the funeral planning process, ensuring that arrangements are handled with care and sensitivity. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Central Missouri State University, Cynthia applies her educational background to assist grieving families, offering thoughtful support as they navigate one of life’s most challenging moments.
Outside of her work at Serenity, she enjoys spending time with friends and cooking seafood dishes at home for her family, embracing the joy of good company and great food.
