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David Lee Hernandez Jr Founder, Principal
David Lee Hernandez, Jr, a native of Northeast Philadelphia, after graduating high school from Calvary Christian Academy in Philadelphia, he relocated to Morganville, where he began his career as a mortuary science apprentice. David continued his studies where he earned an Associates of Science Degree and a Certificate of Proficiency in Funeral Services. He became a licensed funeral director in May of 2004, and later continued his education in Legal Studies at St. John’s University, New York.
He acquired his first funeral home in 2009 and has grown to operate Jersey’s largest family owned funeral home company, known as “Jersey Memorial Group”. His holdings include funeral homes and cemeteries in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Additionally, he also publishes a newspaper, “All Around Old Bridge” and is active in venture capital investments through 29029 Ventures, which focuses on emerging products and services impacting the mind, body and soul of local communities.
David is active in each community the funeral homes serve; he is Charter Member and past President of the Kiwanis Club of Manalapan, member of Old Bridge Kiwanis Club, member of the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh in Belmar, trustee and board member of the Old Bridge- Sayreville- South Amboy Chamber of Commerce, board member of Pennsauken-Merchantville Area Chamber. He was recently elected to the foundation board of the Raritan Bay Medical Center Foundation in Old Bridge and Perth Amboy as the Vice Chair and Chair of Governance, as well as is a business leader in the Old Bridge Business Alliance. He has served as an officer in Middlesex Somerset Funeral Directors Association and is also a member of NJ State Funeral Directors Association, and National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA). His firms are nine-time NFDA Pursuit of Excellence Winners and was recently awarded the Best of the Best Award from NFDA as the top funeral home operator in the Country. He has been named Business Leader of the Year in 2016 by Kiwanis Club of Old Bridge as well as in 2017 by the Chamber of Commerce. Most recently he was recognized in 2018 with NJ Biz 40 under 40 as a young leader in business, and in 2019 by the Greater Monmouth YMCA as their Citizen of the Year. He has also been a guest speaker at NYU Schack School of Real Estate and Alan Creedy's Blue Ocean Tours. David, his family and team have been featured in Funeral Business Advisor and American Funeral Director Magazines.
He and his family attend Calvary Chapel Old Bridge and they volunteer in various ministry opportunities. A licensed funeral Director in New Jersey, he also holds funeral director and embalmers licenses in Pennsylvania and West Virginia as well as a Life Insurance Producers License. David enjoys spending time with his wife, Stacey and their three children, Sophia, David Lee III, and Abigail. He also enjoys competitive fitness, OCR, snowboarding, and golf. -
Valerie Hutchison Office Manager
Valerie Hutchison began her career in the death care industry with Roselawn Memorial Gardens in 1993 in the administration department. Several years later she was promoted to the position of Office Manager and then General Manager. She managed two locations over a period of ten years. During that time plans were made to expand to a combination location. In 2008 the location changed to Roselawn Funeral Home and Cemetery in combination with Monte Vista Park Cemetery. She then returned to the Office Management position and is currently the Location Manager for the Administration Department.
Valerie is active with church activities as well as the Quilts of Valor. She also enjoys playing the piano, the guitar, sewing, crocheting and woodworking. Valerie is married Clyde, also known as "Hutch", and has two sons -Aaron and Jordan. They enjoy golfing together as a family where "mom" has the distinction of being the "designated putter". -
Nicole "Nikki" Pilkins Sales Director
Nicole “Niki” Pilkins joined our team in September 2019 as Sales Director. She has been in the industry for three years and is a vital member of our business family. Her vibrant and bright personality is a warm welcome for all the families that enter through our doors in their time of need.
Niki spends most her time taking care of her animals. She has two Great Danes Igor and Iyla. In addition to her dogs, she has a red iguana, a breaded dragon, leopard gecko, axolotl, and ferret. When she isn’t spending time caring for them, she likes to travel and collect rocks. -
John Hughes Family Service Counselor
John Hughes joined the Roselawn family in December and is presently working in our sales department. He enjoys his career and the individuals he works with. He feels that Deb and Niki have helped him a great deal and is always by his side helping him develop his skill set. He is truly grateful for his employers and can not say enough positive things about them. He is a stay at home or work kind of gentleman. When John isn’t at Roselawn he loves being at home especially when his wife has his two granddaughters. They light up his life with love, being able to play games with them is what he looks forward to. Harper is almost three years old and loves to grab his hand and dance with him. Then there is Everly whom turned one in October. When she sees him she says, “Paw-Paw” and comes running into his arms. John loves his family and enjoys his job very much.
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Joshua Wyatt Family Service Counselor
Joshua Wyatt is our newest Family Service Counselor and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley, WV in 2009. He is a proud Eagle Scout and also graduated with completion of 4 years of AFJROTC with the rank of Captain. He then graduated WVU with a Nursing Degree and worked at JW Ruby Memorial. Whilst attending WVU he started working at a funeral home and has worked in the Funeral Industry since 2012. He then decided to pursue a job in the Funeral Industry rather than nursing. In his spare time Joshua is either spending time with his son Kayden Joel and Wife Carolyn of 4 years, fishing, eating sushi, or attending Barter Theatre in Abingdon, VA. Joshua honors all military and is very patriotic, will always lend a helping hand, and loves all different types of sports.
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Brittnay Nunn Administrative Assistant
Brittany Nunn joined our administration team in July of 2019. Although she primarily has a background on the hospital side of this business, she is very enthused about learning everything she can to better help our families in their time of need.
Brittany married her husband, Corey Nunn, and they have a beautiful daughter Emma. The whole family is very involved with the church they attend, Bluefield First Church of the Nazarene. Brittany and Corey lead worship every Sunday morning with the occasional help from Emma. Brittany leads a womens bible study group Thursday night. In her spare time after work and church Brittany likes to day dream about outrageous vacations to Disney World. -
Carolyn Buchanan Administration
Carolyn Buchanan works in Administration for Roselawn Funeral Home and Cemetery in Princeton, WV. She had previously worked for Roselawn from 2007-2012, left for a few years and is now back.
She is marred to a wonderful man for 31 plus years, have two daughters and three beautiful grandchildren. Her hobbies are camping, boating, fishing, motorcycle riding as well as traveling – outdoor stuff. She also regularly goes to the gym and enjoys dancing. -
Hazel Smith Custodian
Hazel has been with Roselawn Funeral Home and Cemetery since April of 2008.
She is happily married for 39 years and has one son.
Her hobbies are spending time with family both indoors and out.
