Our Staff

Marcus A. Allen

President & Visionary, Notary Public

Marcus A. Allen is a trailblazing, visionary leader, father, musician, musical artist, and entrepreneur committed to the call of God on his life.

Marcus A. Allen is the continuing legacy of a strong Christian family, and his mother, Rev. Mahalia Allen, is an ordained minister. He was born and raised in Live Oak, Florida and is the baby of four children. In 1995, while still a very young man, Rev. Allen was called to the preaching ministry and ordained in Live Oak, Florida under the leadership of Bishop Henry Smart, Jr. As a true visionary and being an individual who has been called to operate far beyond the restraints of traditionalism, he moved to Philadelphia Pennsylvania. He serves as the Associate Minister and Minister of Music of the Friendly Baptist Church under the tutelage of Dr. J.N. Lavender. 

The heart of Rev. Allen’s ministry can be felt through his musical gift.  As a songwriter, musician, and vocalist, he has shared the message of Christ’s love through song throughout the United States of America. Marcus is the founder and the original lead singer for National Gospel Recording Artist “The Supreme 7”.  He has studied at the Mana Bible Institute and served as minster of music for churches such as the historical Cornerstone Baptist Church. 

Marcus Allen’s relentless pursuit for excellence has propelled him to provide high quality professional and exceptional funeral services to families across Florida, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Mr. Allen’s journey of providing efficient funeral service started at a young age in Live Oak, Florida where he worked and served with the late Charles T. Hall. After leaving Florida, Marcus has managed some of the most prestigious funeral homes in the Philadelphia area. He is the President of the Meachem Funeral Home Corporation in Philadelphia, PA, Meachem & Rowland Funeral Home in Pennsauken, NJ and Peoples Mortuary & Cremation Services, Inc. He is presently the President of the Meachem & Prioleau Funeral Home in Philadelphia PA, Peoples Mortuary & Cremation Service and the President and Visionary of the Marcus A. Allen Funeral Home in his hometown of Live Oak Florida He has served as a youth counselor, and Assistant Director of Youth Empowerment for the Life Skills Center and counselor for BBC Young Male Expansion Program under the late Pastor A.W. Dock and Dr. Brenda L. Richmond.

A highly regarded National Singer, Musician and Preacher; Rev. Allen has traveled extensively singing and preaching the good news of Jesus Christ and compelling the lost to come to Christ. He is highly regarded by his peers as the “Singing, Preaching Undertaker”. He believes that God has a plan for all of our lives and only we can stop, prevent, or hinder our God-given destiny. Rev. Allen believes that the Church is God’s greatest weapon to fight poverty, self-hatred, hunger, and ignorance. He is a member of the local minister’s conferences and several community organizations. While Reverend Allen’s accomplishments are numerous, his most important and proudest accomplishment is being the proud father to Makaila and Arianna Allen.

Dr. LaTeesa A. Allen

Vice President

Dr. LaTeesa Allen, a recognized leader in the field of education, is a passionate and results-driven leader with 25+years of experience in executive leadership. She has a proven record of success in developing and executing strategic plans to build organizational capacity while cultivating equitable institutions of unparalleled excellence. Dr. Allen has extensive experience leading organizations and K-12 school systems with a specific emphasis on transformation at local, state, and national levels. Dr. Allen is guided by a moral compass that consistently points in the direction of creating spaces for all students to become academically successful and productive citizens.

Dr. Allen is the President and CEO of Education Transformation Consulting Group, Vice President of MGT Education Solutions Group, and the Vice President of Marcus A. Allen Funeral Home. Dr. Allen began her career as an elementary education teacher. During her 25+ year career, she has served in the capacity of a principal, district leader, Regional Director of Education, Chief Program Officer, Superintendent of Schools, and Interim Deputy State Superintendent. 

Dr. Allen’s impact currently extends nationally as she provides her expertise to local, state, and national agencies. Dr. Allen’s role as Interim Deputy Superintendent of Innovation included providing state leadership for nine state divisions within the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI). Dr. Allen successfully worked with state board members and state legislators to execute strategic initiatives for the state’s Department of Public Instruction. Additionally, Dr. Allen wasrecruited to serve as the Superintendent of the North Carolina Innovative School District (NCISD) to lead an innovative approach and accountability model to turnaround the state’s lowest-performing schools. 

Prior to accepting the appointment as the Superintendent for the NCISD, Dr. Allen was the Chief Program Officer for Communities In Schools of North Carolina (CISNC), a statewide organization dedicated to providing evidence-based Integrated Student Supports to over 300 schools in North Carolina. Dr. Allen was responsible for overseeing the development, strategic planning, service delivery and management of a significant portfolio of programs whileleading the statewide Program Services Network. During her tenure at CISNC, Dr. Allen successfully launched statewide programs through partnerships with district superintendents and national student-focused organizational leaders to improve student outcomes for many of the most vulnerable students in the state.

Dr. Allen is an accomplished educator recognized as Florida’sTeacher of the Year for non-traditional schools. LaTeesa has also served on numerous workgroups for the Florida Department of Education. She was recognized for promoting strategic initiatives and revitalizing programs and non-traditional schools statewide and serving in a pivotal role in education reform by improving services at historically low-performing schools. In her relentless pursuit of excellence, LaTeesa has designed systems that have advanced organizational goals, improved education outcomes and increased student academic achievement, especially forschools with marginalized populations.

Dr. Allen holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of South Florida, a Master of Education in Educational Leadership, and a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from the Florida State University. Dr. Allen is passionate about serving the community, making local footprints, and creating national impact. Dr. Allen believes that with God, all things are possible.

Kiera L. Harper

FDIC, CCO & Notary Public

Born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida Kiera graduated in 2014 with honors with both her high school diploma from Jean Ribault High and her A.A. degree from Florida State College of Jacksonville. In 2019 she graduated Cum Laude from the illustrious Florida A & M University with a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies. 

Kiera counts it as a blessing and an honor to be the granddaughter of the late legendary Bishop Henry Smart Jr. who introduced her to the funeral service industry. Shortly before his unfortunate passing she made a promise to her grandfather that she would enroll in mortuary school and earn her license as a funeral director. 

As Kiera’s final semester is swiftly approaching she is proudly actively fulfilling her promise to her grandfather as she has successfully earned her license as a Funeral Director Intern. 

In 2023 Kiera earned her certification as a Certified Crematory Operator and her Notary License. With God as the head of her life and her family’s support Kiera has accomplished a lot and knows that this is only the beginning. 

Michelle D. Freeman

LFDE & Certified Grief Counselor

Michelle Freeman

Michelle Freeman, a native of Jacksonville, Florida, is a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer, Certified Cremationist, Makeup Artist, and Certified Life Coach specializing in Grief Support. She received her A.S. Degree in Funeral Services from Piedmont Technical College in 2019 and earned her certification in Cremation Services through the National Funeral Directors Association.

With over a decade of experience as a professional makeup artist and a deep compassion for others, Michelle uses her skills and calling to serve families during their most difficult times. Through her certification as a Life Coach from Embrace You Training Solutions, she combines her expertise and empathy to guide others through the critical first steps of healing after loss.

Michelle is also the author of Give Me Grief Journal, a reflective tool designed to help individuals process emotions and find hope through faith and self-discovery.

Mrs. Donna Reid Massey

Management Team

Marcus A. Allen Funeral Home is honored to have Mrs. Donna Reid Massey as a valued member of our Management Team.

A proud native of Mayo, Florida in Lafayette County, Mrs. Massey has long been a pillar within the community she serves. Her life’s work reflects a deep commitment to faith, leadership, and service. She is widely respected as a devoted servant of God, a compassionate community leader, and a steadfast advocate for children and families throughout our region.

Mrs. Massey is a graduate of Lafayette High School and continued her academic journey at Daytona State College, where she earned her F.C.C.P.C. credential in Early Childhood Education. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Capella University and a Master of Science in Psychology with a specialization in Behavior Analysis, also from Capella University. She further strengthened her professional expertise by earning a Trauma and Resiliency Certification from Florida State University.

Currently, Mrs. Massey is completing her Ph.D. in Psychology with a concentration in Human Development at Capella University, where she is finalizing her dissertation.

In addition to her academic achievements, Mrs. Massey serves as the Director of the Boys & Girls Club – Mayo Unit. Through her leadership, compassion, and unwavering dedication, she has positively impacted the lives of countless young people and families in Lafayette County.

Her presence at Marcus A. Allen Funeral Home brings wisdom, strength, and proven leadership to our staff. Mrs. Massey’s integrity, professionalism, and heartfelt care reinforce our commitment to serving families with dignity, compassion, and excellence.

LaMone A. Gibson

Intern and Operational Lead

A native of Buffalo, New York, Reverend LaMone Anthony Gibson, M.Div., is a innovative scholar, preacher, author, chaplain and organizational leader. Former Intern and Operational Lead for Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Homes and Crematory in Atlanta, Ga.

Rev. Gibson is humbled by the fact that God has chosen and entrusted him with a calling to serve and minister to this generation. Though he has been preaching since 2011, Rev. Gibson was elected and ordained an Itinerant Deacon in the AME Church in 2020 and an Itinerant Elder in 2022. He has served as the Youth Pastor of Bethel AME Church, Buffalo, NY, Saint Paul AME Church, Jacksonville, FL, and the Senior Minister to Youth and Young Adults at Saint Philip AME Church in Atlanta, GA. He has also served as the Supply Pastor of New Saint James AME Church in Jacksonville, FL. Rev. Gibson currently serves as the Proud Pastor of Greater New Bethel AME Church in Live Oak, Florida.

A 2022 graduate of Turner Theological Seminary on the campus of the Interdenominational Theological Center, receiving numerous scholarships and academic awards, Rev. Gibson has earned his Master of Divinity in Christian Education and Congregational Leadership. Ever the student, Rev. Gibson is currently continuing his Studies at Vanderbilt University pursuing his Ph.D. in Homiletics and Liturgies.

Professionally, Rev. Gibson was also accepted into the John H. Cummings Internship Program through the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Upon completion of the program, Rev. Gibson relocated to Jacksonville, FL, where he was appointed the Southeast Regional Director of Probation and Community Intervention overseeing Prolific Juvenile Offenders for the United States Department of Justice.

Rev. Gibson published his first book: I Speak Life: 31 Days of Survival, in August of 2020. He is well married to his wife Tiearra, and truly believes that prayer should be your steering wheel in life and not your spare tire!

Bernard S. Phillip II

Licensed Embalmer

Bernard S. Phillip II

Licensed Embalmer

Bernard S. Phillip II was born and raised in Gainesville, FL. He graduated from Gainesville High School and Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service, where he earned an A.S. Degree in Mortuary Science. At the early age of 7, Bernard developed a passion for funeral service with the vision of owning his own funeral home one day. He credits his early foundation and knowledge of the funeral industry to Chestnut Funeral Home in Gainesville, FL. His experience spans decades, including working with several premier funeral homes in Atlanta, Philadelphia, and South Florida.

Telephone: 1-386-362-5700

Email: 

Ralph J. Vierling

LFD

Telephone: 1-386-362-5700

Email: 

Jeb Turner

LFDE

Telephone: 1-386-362-5700

Email: 

Staff

Staff

Staff

Sandi Ruise

Baker County Management