Staff

Once you request the services of Oakey's Funeral Service & Crematory, we will immediately put our experienced funeral professionals to work for you. A single, dedicated individual will stay in contact with you every step of the way and guide you through the decision-making process. He or she will carefully explain your options, make recommendations at your request, take care of all the small details, and ensure that you and your family’s personal touch is always present.

Just as our business is dedicated to our customers, we are also dedicated to our community.

~ Our Staff ~

Samuel Goode Oakey, III President	Samuel Goode Oakey, III Representing the fifth generation of the Oakey family in the funeral profession, Sammy has been President of the firm since 1998. He is also Chairman of the Board of Directors and serves on the Executive Committee of the firm. Sammy began his career with Oakey's by working part-time while still in high school. He is a Roanoke native and a 1978 Patrick Henry High School graduate. Sammy continued his education at Ferrum College, graduating in 1982 and graduated from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in 1984. He is married to Mitzi B. Oakey. They have one son, Samuel G. Oakey, IV. The Oakey's are members of Virginia Heights Baptist Church, where Sammy serves as a Deacon. Sammy also serves on the Board for The League for Animal Protection and Miss Virginia Scholarship Event. He is very active in the community and is a member of the Rotary Club of Roanoke, Business Men's Club, Lakeland Lodge #190, AF&AM, Roanoke Scottish Rite Bodies, and the Kazim Shrine Temple.
Michael Spessard Vice President & Corporate Secretary	Michael M. Spessard Mike is Sr. Vice President & Corporate Secretary and heads up the Business Office. He also serves on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee for Oakey's. Mike was born in Roanoke and graduated from Andrew Lewis High School in Salem, VA. He then attended Roanoke College and graduated from National Business College in 1964. Mike joined Oakey's in 1993, bringing with him 29 years of experience in Accounting and Management. Mike has two daughters, Kristi Azaroff of New York City, and Karen King of Roanoke, both married. He has two step-children, Stacy and Paul Daniels of Salem, and one grandchild, Courtney King of Roanoke. Mike and his wife, "Bert", reside in Salem. Mike is a Past President of the Salem Jaycees where he received the Outstanding Local President's Award for Region XII and Division IV. He is a Past Commander of the Roanoke Valley Power Squadron, served on the Board of Directors of Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce and Board of Deacons at First Presbyterian Church, Roanoke, where he also has served as an Elder and Sunday School Teacher. Mike was listed in the 1972 Edition of Outstanding Young Men of America. He's a member of Taylor Masonic Lodge AF&AM and DC Shanks Royal Arch Masons, Roanoke Valley Power Squadron and the National Rifle Association. Mike received the Distinguished Trainee Award from Co. D 5th BN. 2nd Bde (AIT), Fort Ord, CA USAR in 1967. Mike is a team member of Oakey's Team Cheerios for the Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society and plays the bass drum for the Virginia Highlands Pipes and Drums bagpipe band. He enjoys the outdoor sports of hunting and fishing.
A. David Cook Vice President & General Manager	A. David Cook As Vice President and General Manager David has served Oakey’s since 1975 and is on the Board of Directors of the firm. David is a member of New Century Community Church where his wife Debra and daughter Rachel are also members. David also has two daughters and sons in law that live away from Roanoke, Jaime and Jed Redcay and Abbey and Justin Howlett and One grandson Simeon Redcay. David is a former member of the Botetourt Jaycees and the Cave Spring Lions Club. He is currently a member of Gideons International as well as the Virginia and National Funeral Directors Association. David enjoys travel and golf in his spare time.
Lorraine Cunningham Vice President	Lorraine Cunningham Lorraine is the Vice President of Oakey Service Company, the Pre-Arrangement Division of Oakey's Funeral Service and joined the firm in 1980. She and her husband, Steve, are members of Huntington Court United Methodist Church, where she is also a member of the Rita Engle Circle. Lorraine graduated from James River High School in 1979 and Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 1984. She is an active member of Oakey's Team Cheerios for the Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society.
Gerald Sink Roanoke Chapel Assistant Manager	Gerald Webster Sink Gerald Sink is Oakey's Roanoke Chapel Assistant Manager and brought with him 26 years experience in the funeral profession when he joined the Oakey staff in 1990. Born in Roanoke, Gerald graduated from Cave Spring High School and earned his mortuary degree in 1970 from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. He continued his education at Virginia Western Community College with a degree in 1973. Gerald, his wife Pat and two children, Carla Renee and Carey Robert, attend Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church where Gerald has served as a Deacon and on several church committees. He is the current treasurer of the Mt. Pleasant Civic League and held several offices in the former Sugar Loaf Lions Club. Gerald is an active member in many civic organizations which include, Cave Spring Masonic Lodge, Roanoke Scottish Rite Bodies (was class president in 1976), and Kazim Shrine Temple. In 1978, Gerald was chosen by WROV radio station as business performer of the month. He has served as Worthy Patron in Eta Chapter #185 Order of the Eastern Star for four different years. Gerald also enjoys a membership in the Roanoke Valley Mustang Club.
Steve Cunningham North Chapel Manager	Steven H. Cunningham Steve is Oakey's North Chapel manager and has served 24 of his 39 years in the funeral profession with Oakey's. He is married to Lorraine Cunningham, and he has two children, Steven H. Cunningham, Jr., and David B. Cunningham. Steve was born in Buena Vista and is a 1963 graduate of Parry McCluer High School. He attended Randolph Macon College for two years before graduating from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 1966. Steve is also a graduate of the National Institute of Funeral Service School of Management and completed Crematory Training at IEE. Steve is very involved in his community, which includes Secretary and Past President of the Roanoke-Hollins Rotary Club, Life Member of the VA Congress of PTA's and Past President of both Glen Cove Elementary and Northside High School PTA's, a member of Buena Vista Lodge #186 AF&AM, York Rite Bodies and Kazim Shrine Temple. Steve is a Team Captain of Oakey's Team Cheerios for Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society, a Past Board Member for the Virginia Funeral Directors Association and Past President of the Blue Ridge Funeral Directors Association. Steve is a member of Huntington Court United Methodist Church where he serves on the Administrative Board.
Rick Nickelston North Chapel Assistant Manager	Charles Richard Nickelston Rick Nickelston is Oakey's North Chapel Assistant Manger and joined the Oakey staff in 1989. Rick was born in Martinsville, where he graduated from high school in 1967. Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service is where Rick earned his mortuary degree in 1993. In 1997, he completed Crematory Training at IEE. Rick and his wife, Pauline, are members of Twin Oaks Baptist Church. Rick is a member of Oakey's Team Cheerios for Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society.
Michael Bowles Vinton Chapel Manager	Michael Lee Bowles Mike Bowles is Oakey's Vinton Chapel Manager and has been with the firm since 1966. He graduated from Jefferson High School and went on to attend Virginia Western Community College. In 1972, Mike graduated from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science where he was a member of the Pi Sigma Eta National Mortuary Fraternity. Mike and his family are members of Colonial Baptist Church of Blue Ridge. His wife Diane is a 1st grade teacher at Cloverdale Elementary School. His daughter, Melissa, is a rising junior at Lord Botetourt High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society, marching band and Roanoke Junior Symphony. Mike's son Benjamin is an 8th grader at Read Mountain Middle School. Benjamin plays trumpet and is an avid baseball player in the Blue Ridge Community. Mike keeps busy with memberships in the Vinton Host Lions Club, Williamson Road and Vinton Masonic Lodges, Roanoke Scottish Rite Bodies, D.C., Shanks Royal Arch Chapter, Kazim Shrine Temple and Bayard Commandery. Mike is also a member in the funeral professional organizations of the Blue Ridge Funeral Directors Association, Virginia Funeral Directors Association, and National Funeral Directors Association.
Tony Holland Vinton Chapel Assistant Manager	Anthony Todd Holland Tony has been with the Oakey firm since 1984, and is the Assistant Manager at Oakey's Vinton Chapel. Tony was born in Roanoke and is a 1983 Graduate of Franklin County High School. After that, he graduated as class Valedictorian at Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Atlanta, GA. While attending, he served as Fraternity Treasurer of the Mortician's Fraternity Pi Sigma Eta (Theta Chapter). Tony served as a Deacon and as Secretary of the Board of Deacons as a former member of the Furnace Creek Baptist Church. He also served two terms as President of the Rocky Mountain Lions Club. Tony and his wife, Dena, attend Crystal Spring Baptist Church, where he currently serves on the Financial Committee Board as well as an usher. Tony also enjoys membership in NAWCC (North American Watch & Clock Collector's Club), Shenandoah Valley District, Chapter #32, and is a member of Pleasants Masonic Lodge #63 A.F. & A.M. & the Roanoke Scottish Rite Bodies.
B.P. Simpson, Jr. South Chapel Manager	B.P. Simpson, Jr. B.P. Simpson, Jr., Manager of Oakey's South Chapel, has been with the Oakey organization since 1975. B.P., his wife Lisa and children, Joey and Elizabeth, reside in Floyd county where B.P. graduated from High School in 1973. After High School, B.P. attended Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science where he served as President of the Alpha Chapter of Pi Sigma Eta and graduated in 1979. In 1992, B.P. furthered his education in the funeral profession by attending the National Foundation of Funeral Service in Chicago, IL.
Charles Garner South Chapel Assistant Manager	Charles Garner As Assistant Manager at our South Chapel, Charles has served Oakey's since 1997. He grew up in Montvale and is a 1987 graduate of Liberty High School in Bedford. Charles earned his mortuary degree from John Tyler Community College, is a Past President of the Blue Ridge Funeral Directors Association and is a supporter of the American Cancer Society and the United Way. After graduation from high school, Charles served in the US Navy for 6 years, part of which was during Operation Desert Storm.  He has two sons, Alexander and Nicholas and two step-children Emily and Vincent, all of whom attend Oak Grove Elementary School in Southwest County. Charles and his family attend Christ Lutheran Church and in-between their children's football and soccer games, he and his wife Alisa enjoy cycling and mountain biking, snowboarding and spending time with their family.
H. Lee Arritt East Chapel Manager	H. Lee Arritt Lee Arritt is manager of Oakey's East Chapel. Arritt, a 1986 graduate of the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, is past president of the Blue Ridge Funeral Directors Association. He has also served as president and board member of the Botetourt Kiwanis Club, and past board member of the Botetourt County Chamber of Commerce. Lee has also been active with area Masonic lodges, serving as District Deputy Grand Master of the 22nd Masonic District of the Grand Lodge of Virginia in 2007. Lee and his wife, Donna, and two daughters, Courtney and Chelsea, reside in the Blue Ridge area of Botetourt County. They are members of the Troutville Baptist Church where Lee serves as Deacon.
Grace Poff After Care Manager	Grace Elizabeth Barker Poff Oakey's After Care Manager, Grace Poff, has been with Oakey's since 1974. Grace was born in Gadsden, AL, where she graduated from High School in 1957 and Gadsden Business College in 1958. Grace is married to Ivan S. Poff, Sr., and she has two children, Elizabeth Lea Foster Brunn, and Jason Shaun Poff.  Grace's compassion speaks fot itself with her community involvement. She serves as President for WPS (Widowed Persons Service) and she is on the Board of Directors of Roanoke Valley End of Life Care Partnership and SHARE. Grace also serves as President for CWI (Credit Women International).