Our Team

R. Blake Cammack

Owner - Funeral Director

Blake was born and raised in Longview and is a graduate of Harleton High School. He began his career in funeral service in 2007 and soon realized that funeral service was the career path that he wanted to pursue. This decision lead him to enroll at Dallas Institute of Funeral Service. While a student at Dallas Institute, Blake was chosen to intern at the Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home in Dallas.

Upon graduation from Dallas Institute, Blake returned to Longview and purchased 5 Star Professional Services, an independent crematory.  A life long resident of Longview and East Texas, community involvement is a passion that he inherited from both sides of his family.  In 2011, Blake was elected by his peers to serve on the Texas Funeral Directors Association Regional Board of Directors for East Texas. He became the youngest member to serve on the board at that time. Along with supporting the charitable endeavors of local civic organization, Blake is a current board member of the Kilgore College Foundation where he chairs the Resource Development Committee. Previously, Blake served on the executive board of Windridge Therapeutic Equestrian Center where he served as board president in 2022.

Blake enjoys bird hunting and showing Tennessee Walking horses with his sons Zach and Jackson. Over the past 20+ years their Four M Farms has captured 13 world championships, 13 reserve world championships and 2 reserve world grand championships as well as world grand championships in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Blake currently serves as a director of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association and was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel in 2016 by the governor of Kentucky for his accomplishments and contributions to the Tennessee Walking Horse industry.

In 2017 Blake was invited to join the Life Celebration Community, an exclusive group of funeral profession innovators and thought-leaders. This partnership enabled Blake to transform the way families heal. He can now provide a memorable and customized funeral experience that has completely revolutionized our approach to caring for families.

Blake and his wife Melissa have two sons, Zach and Jackson. The Cammacks attend Oakland Heights Baptist Church.

Tony Aguilar

Vice President- General Manager - Funeral Director

Tony Aguilar is a native of Sulphur Springs, Texas and a graduate of Texas A & M Commerce and the prestigious Dallas Institute of Funeral Service. Tony two time Past President of the East Texas Funeral Directors Association and also serves on the Texas Funeral Directors Association Disaster Mortuary Team. He joined our team in September 2017 as General Manager and was promoted to Vice President of Cammack Funeral Homes in June 2019.  Tony and his wife are the parents to three daughters and are members of St. James Catholic Church where he is also active in the Knights of Columbus. An avid car buff, Tony is part of the magic behind our Cowboy Cadillac. In his spare time he enjoys working on his Ford Mustang, working in his yard, and collecting Our Lady of Guadalupe Icons.

A member of our family since 2017

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Sandra Huffman

Administrative Director

Sandra Huffman is a native of Pittsburg, Texas, a 1966 graduate of Pittsburg High School and a 1967 graduate of Bish Mathis Institute, a former business school of Longview.  A resident of Hallsville, Sandra is our office Administrative Secretary and has been with us since July 1, 1969.  After forty-eight years of experience in the funeral industry, she is extremely knowledgeable and skilled in her official position with Welch Funeral Home.  She is a member of Hallsville First Baptist Church, the Lamplighters Sunday School Class, Hallsville Lions Club and relishes her work in her church nursery!  In the late 1980's, Sandra served on the board of Hospice Longview, now known as Hearts Way Hospice of Northeast Texas.  

Sandra has two married children, Michelle Parker and Michael Huffman, both of Tyler, and five grandsons.  When her children were young, she was very active in their school and summer sports activities.  In the past, Sandra enjoyed playing church league slow-pitch softball.  Nowadays, she loves to watch her grandsons play sports, march and play in their school band, and participate in theatrical productions.  Sandra continues to find pleasure in attending Hallsville Girls’ Sports events.

A member of our family since 1969.

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Marcus Welch

Funeral Director Emeritus

Marcus Welch is a graduate of Longview High School, Stephen F. Austin, the Dallas Institute Of Mortuary Science and has been licensed as a funeral professional since 1976. He is an active member of the First Baptist Church of Longview, serves on the board of the Gregg County Historical Museum, and board of the Big Pines Blues Society. Marcus enjoys spending time with family, traveling, baseball and music. 

Marcus has been active in the community for many years. He has served on committees at his church, taught Sunday School and Royal Ambassadors. He served two terms on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, also serving as treasurer. Served two terms as president of the Longview South Rotary Club and is a Paul Harris Fellow, served as president of both the Longview Downtown Development Corporation and 100 Acres of Heritage, where he received the Sara Whitehurst Award for his work in the preservation and improvement of downtown Longview. During this time he also worked with the Alley Art Festival and was active from 1989 to 2002, bringing musical artists to Alleyfest. When his son, Dustin, was young, Marcus coached his baseball team in the Longview Boys Baseball Association, and served as president of the Lobo Baseball Boosters Club for two years. Marcus remains an avid fan of the Texas Rangers. 

In 2012, Marcus received the East Texas Funeral Director of the Year Award from the East Texas Funeral Director's Association.

Marcus retired November 1, 2019 after 43 faithful years of service to the families of East Texas.

Melinda Gaulden

Senior Funeral Director

Melinda and her husband, Richard moved to Marshall in 2009 to manager Sullivan Funeral Home.  In April of 2014 the opportunity to purchase Meadowbrook Funeral Home presented itself and they purchased it. In 2023, the Gauldens were offered the opportunity to return to Sullivan Funeral Home. Melinda has 20+ years experience in the funeral industry, graduating from Dallas Institute of Funeral Service in 1997. She and her daughter, Sara Thompson, were in Mortuary School together and have worked together periodically their entire career. In 1997, Melinda and her children, Sara, Billy and Charlie married Richard Gaulden. She is blessed with one beautiful granddaughter, Lexi Mitchell, and one precious grandson, Billy Case Mitchell. Melinda has served on the Marshall Chamber of Commerce Board, Twelve Way Foundation Board of Directors and is a member of Marshall Lions Club, Rotary Club and First United Methodist Church. She feels very blessed to be able to help families during a very difficult time in their life. She loves her community and loves the funeral profession. In her spare time Melinda enjoys crafting and making jam.

Tim Patrick

Transportation Director - Longview

Tim Patrick is a native of Alabama. He grew up in Hallsville and graduated from Hallsville High School. A long time employee, Tim is often the first point of contact that families have with our staff. He is married to Kelly Baxley Patrick and they have a daughter, Kelsey who attends Hallsville Schools. Tim is a member of Solid Rock Bible Fellowship.  He enjoys fishing, following the Hallsville Bobcats, and spending time with his family

A member of our family since 2007.

Anthony Robertson

Funeral Assistant

Often called the happiest man in East Texas. Anthony is one of the happiest, most upbeat people that you will ever meet. A native of Diana, and current resident of Hallsville, he has spent all of his life here in East Texas. 

A member of our family since 2019

Billy M. Smith

Funeral Director

After a 4 year retirement, Billy Smith is back serving families at Welch Funeral Home, just as he has done for 50+ years!

Billy M. Smith is a native of Longview, graduating from Longview High School in 1959, attended Kilgore College, Stephen F. Austin University and graduated from Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science. Billy has been a licensed funeral professional since 1967 and has been associated with Welch Funeral Home since 1961.  He is married to Judy Burns Smith and they  have a daughter, Jennifer Smith and grandson, Caiden Howell.  Billy and his family are active members of Macedonia Baptist Church where he teaches Sunday School.

Billy enjoys spending time with his family, fishing, hunting, golf and the Texas Rangers.  He has been a member of Hallsville Rotary Club, Longview Civitan Club and Longview Executive Club.  Billy also enjoys watching his grandson play baseball and attending Tae-Kwon-Do tournaments he participates in around the state.

A member of our family since 1961

Jill Everet

Receptionist/Visitation Hostess

A member of our family since 2020

Cody Parkman

Apprentice Funeral Director

Diago Carrol

Cemetery Superintendent

Kim Parkman

Transportation Director - Marshall

Neal Braudaway

Care Center Manager - Funeral Director

Peggy Warden

Cemetery Manager

Richard Gaulden

Funeral Director

Richard and Melinda Gaulden moved to Marshall in 2009 to manager Sullivan Funeral Home.  In April of 2014 the opportunity to purchase Meadowbrook Funeral Home presented itself and they purchased it. In 2023, the Gauldens were offered the opportunity to return to Sullivan Funeral Home. Richard has 35+ years experience in the funeral industry. A graduate of Dallas Institute of Funeral Service, Richard has spent a lifetime serving families in the Dallas area and the past 15 years serving families in Marshall. In 1997, Richard married Melinda and her children, Sara, Billy and Charlie. When he is not busy serving families or playing with his grandchildren, Richard can be found deer hunting or exploring ancient indian ruins.

Sommer Stewart

Funeral Director & Pre Planning Director

A graduate of Dallas Institute of Funeral Service, Sommer is a licensed funeral director and embalmer as well as a licensed insurance agent. The difference in pre planning with Sommer versus other pre paid insurance agents is that Sommer is an actual funeral director and knows exactly what you need and focuses on the instead of focusing on selling you what she thinks you need. In her spare time, Sommer enjoys going to car shows and baking fruit pies. Sommer offices in Longview and in Marshall.