Staff

Justin has been a funeral service professional over 25 years. He began his career path early in funeral service, at the age of 16. Just four years later he received his license, and since that time he has served many families, assisted colleagues, and trained other aspiring directors toward achieving their goals.

"I feel humbled to serve families in the community at a very painful time in their lives. Although the grief of losing a loved one cannot be completely solaced, I am grateful to offer professional service and personal care, making this difficult experience as easy as it can possibly be."

Justin grew up in the small community of Shelmerdine in southern Pitt County, where Christian principles and life values were instilled. "I owe a debt of gratitude to my parents, Jeff and Jennifer Smith, and to my grandparents, the late Walter Lee, Jr. and Josephine Smith, and to Jimmy and Jackie Moore, for their devotion to my upbringing. My younger brother, Jared, is a hair stylist in Raleigh. I have a lovely wife of over 20 years, Rhapsody, who is a former Neonatal ICU Nurse and former clinical instructor for Pitt Community College's School of Nursing.  She is now a stay at home mom, director of Grace Life Co-op for homeschoolers and assists in the business as a funeral director.

Justin and Rhapsody have three beautiful children, 17 old daughter, Kylah, 14 year old son, Karsten, and 9 year old daughter, Kendall, who are the joy of their lives. Justin presently serves as an usher in his local church, Faith Assembly of God and is a member of Gideons International and the Kinston Host Lions Club. He was a former Chairman of the Executive Board for the Pitt Community College Alumni Association and currrently sets on the Board of Lions Industries for the Blind in Kinston.  He and enjoys spending time with his family, gokart racing with his son, and watching racing.

Justin and his wife began Smith Funeral Service & Crematory in Greenville in 2011 where they also offer onsite cremation services.

Jim Stroud was born in rural Virginia to Augustus and Bessie Stroud. After completing high school, he attended Chowan Junior College before earning his Bachelor’s degree in English from Campbell University.

Jim went on to enjoy a successful 33-year career in insurance and banking, where he built a reputation for hard work and dedication. Despite his professional achievements, Jim harbored a lifelong dream of becoming a funeral director. In 2012, he made that dream a reality by graduating from Fayetteville Technical Community College, earning his licensure, and dedicating himself to the funeral industry. Since then, he has worked tirelessly to provide compassionate care and support to grieving families during their most challenging times.

Jim is a member of Christ Episcopal Church in New Bern, North Carolina, where his spirituality continues to guide his life and work.

Above all, Jim treasures his family. He is the proud father of two children, his son Michael and daughter Julie, and the devoted grandfather to Thomas, his beloved grandson and the apple of his eye. Jim’s journey is a testament to perseverance, service, and the importance of faith and family.

Sarah is new to the funeral service profession serving as an apprentice under owner Justin Smith. Currently, she is a graduate of Fayetteville Technical Community College with an AAS degree in Funeral Service and hopes to bring her own professionalism, compassion, and ministry to the profession. After a period of several impactful deaths in her personal life at a young age, she decided she wanted to help other families through difficult times as she witnessed Edwards Funeral Home staff help her loved ones. 

Sarah has grown up in the Falling Creek area of Kinston.  She is a 2024 early graduate of South Lenoir High School and in her spare time, she likes to spend time with friends and family. She is a die hard “Swiftie” and loves to travel. Sarah is supported in her ambition to serve others by her family and friends. She is the proud dog momma to her beloved Terrier, Ricky. 

A native of Lenoir County, Lee was born in Kinston to Roy Lee and Peggy Lee Tyndall and grew up in the Falling Creek area. He was active in Cub Scouts while attending Banks Elementary School and ultimately earned the rank of Eagle Scout by the age of seventeen. His family and church were founding members of Troop 555, Boy Scouts of America, in the East Carolina Council and he still enjoys camping and outdoor activities. Being a believer and dedicated Christian, he also earned scouting’s highest religious achievements; the “On My Honor”, and “Duty to God” awards on his trail to Eagle. Both religious awards were designed to recognize youth who demonstrated integrity and dedication to faith. He remains a member of the National Eagle Scout Association. After graduation from North Lenoir High School, he postponed college to serve a two-year volunteer mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Sacramento, California. He still states that they were the best two years of his life.  

Upon returning to North Carolina, Lee enrolled at Lenoir Community College where he was elected as Student Government President during his first year. He successfully served in this role and was also an ex-officio member of the Board of Trustees for two years, graduating with an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts. He was also a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society. While serving as the local SGA president, he was elected to the office of Secretary for the North Carolina Comprehensive Community College Student Government Association (N4CSGA) at a state convention during the same two years. In this position, he was responsible for representing and actively communicating with all fifty-eight community colleges in North Carolina, coordinating conferences and traveling to meet with many members at campuses across the state throughout his tenure. Lee is listed in Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges in recognition of his leadership achievements.

Lee has enjoyed a successful career path. From serving in management at United Parcel Service, supervising morning operations in Kinston for eight years, to co-owning and operating a small business in Pink Hill. There he earned a trusted name for excellence in sports, portrait, and wedding photography. He was an active member of the Professional Photographers of North Carolina, Professional Photographers of America, and the Carolina Artisans Guild. From their base of operations, he photographed weddings across the United States and Quebec, always attending to the needs of families and their loved ones. In 1999, the world started converting to digital photography causing most traditional film camera studios to close. His life changed the same year when his mother was lost in a tragic automobile accident. This event reignited his interest in compassionate care and funeral services. Having a family member who managed a funeral home in town for many years, Lee was already able to navigate his way through the aftercare process. Working in funeral services came naturally to him, so he remained in their employment for several years.  Lee attended his first year of Funeral Services Education at Fayetteville Technical Community College from 2000-2001.

For a change of scenery and better opportunities in 2004, Lee moved to Wilmington and started working as a removal and transportation technician for Wilmington Mortuary Service. This is where he worked for the New Hanover, Pender, and Brunswick County Coroner’s offices, along with all law enforcement agencies. He honed his skills in decedent removal, transportation, and customer care since this required meeting with bereaved family members under stressful circumstances. While working in southeastern NC, he was instrumental in helping the owner of Wilmington Burial and Cremation Service open this new business. He worked for the funeral home and cremation service until he became HR Director for the Town of Oak Island, NC.  For the past fifteen years Lee’s career has been in local and state government administration. He served in key Human Resource Management positions at Central Prison, NC Office of the Governor, Maury Correctional Institution, and NCDOT in Greensboro.

Lee is a graduate of the University of Mount Olive and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a minor in Human Resource Management.  He recently returned to the Kinston area and is completing his Funeral Services Education program to become a licensed Funeral Director.

Lee is a lifetime Woodmen of the World member and is active in the Kinston Lodge. He is also a twenty-five-year member of Neuse Lodge #6 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.) in Goldsboro. He currently serves as the elected Deputy Grand Master in the Grand Lodge of North Carolina. Next year he will serve the fraternal order as Grand Master, representing all lodges across the state. He will participate in wreath laying ceremonies during the Ninety-Second and Ninety-Third I.O.O.F. Pilgrimage to the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. The I.O.O.F. is widely known for its guiding mission to "visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead, and educate the orphan," which directs our charitable and community service efforts.