Our Excellent Staff
Royal David
CFSP, CCO, CPC, Funeral Director
Royal is a second-generation funeral director, having been inspired by his father, Dennis David. Royal is a native of New Iberia, Louisiana and was a 1979 graduate of Catholic High School in New Iberia. In 1981, he graduated from Commonwealth College of Sciences (now known as Commonwealth College of Funeral Service) as Salutatorian of his class.
He first pursued funeral service experience working for his father’s funeral home in New Iberia in 1981, eventually serving as president of the company for 20 years. Under his leadership, they expanded to eight chapel locations.
Royal is married to the former Elizabeth Imbraguglio, and they have six children: Kemp, Dexter, Mason, Andre, Peyton, and Sarah.
In February 2013 Royal became a resident of Rocky Mount, NC, along with his wife and all six of his kids, when he bought Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home and Cremation Services. In March of 2016, he also bought Johnson Funeral Home and Cremation Services and Rocky Mount Memorial Park.
In February of 2013, along with his son, Kemp, Royal became licensed in North Carolina as funeral directors and embalmers. His other son, Dexter, is servicing his apprenticeship to become a funeral director in North Carolina.
The Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice has certified Royal with the designation of Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP). He has also been certified by the National Funeral Directors Association as a Certified Preplanning Consultant (CPC). He is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association and Cremation Association of North America.
He is a member of the Rocky Mount Rotary Club, a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow and Rotary International Benefactor and the Rocky Mount Elks Lodge #1038. He has also been involved in numerous community service projects.
Elizabeth David
Comptroller
Elizabeth David is our comptroller at Wheeler & Woodlief. In addition to her financial duties, she creates beautiful memorial programs, videos, collaborates with families to complete obituaries, and steps in to provide support to the secretaries. She considers it her passion and honor to try and meet every family that comes through the doors of Wheeler & Woodlief. Elizabeth was born in the heart of New Orleans, LA, and now resides in North Carolina with her husband, Royal, and their six children: Kemp, Dexter, Mason, Andre, Peyton, and Sarah. She is also a proud Mimi to three grandchildren, Hannah, Ethan, and Kayden, and a great-grandmother to four great-grandchildren, Harper Kate, Leon, Jet, and Lucca.
Before moving to North Carolina, Elizabeth attended the University of New Orleans, where she studied computer programming. She began her work at Wheeler & Woodlief in 2013.
Elizabeth was a CCD teacher in New Iberia, instructing children from second to seventh grade, and had the honor of participating in the First Communion of her first four children. She was also involved in community work, participated in school activities, and was a member of the National Professional Women's Club. Since moving to Rocky Mount, while her youngest three children attended Rocky Mount Academy, Elizabeth took great pleasure in assisting with school field trips whenever possible and participating in various club activities.
When she's not working, Elizabeth loved supporting her children's athletic games and now her grandson's football games. She enjoys taking photos to capture cherished memories, gardening, and cooking. Every year, she prepared her famous Louisiana-style gumbo and potato salad for her son's football team.
There are three things most important to Elizabeth: God, her family, and serving others.
"Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23
Kemp David
CCO, Funeral Director
Kemp is a native of New Iberia, Louisiana and a third-generation funeral director and embalmer. Following in the footsteps of his father, Royal David, he attended The Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service in Houston, Texas where he earned his Associative Degree in Mortuary Science with honors. Through his attendance, Kemp, along with his classmates and instructors, touched the hearts of Houstonians by caring for those families whom had not the resources to provide decent and respectable burials for their lost loved ones. By reaching out to those who had little, Kemp’s volunteer work with the Harris County Bereavement Services burned a caring desire into his heart to provide the softest touch to all those he meets.
While attending school in Houston, Kemp was afforded the honor of working for Geo. H. Lewis and Sons Funeral Directors where he was given the opportunity to assist on such funerals as the famous Paul “Red” Adair, the oil-well firefighter, as well as many other dignitaries and community members. Working in Houston, Kemp gained much experience in various cultures and religious rites such as Reform Jewish, Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, which also happens to be his choice of faith, and many others. Also, while working for Geo. H., Kemp gained much insight into offering unique options for various Funeral Services and Memorial Services for cremations making them more meaningful to those families he served. His tenure allowed him to learn and appreciate just what it takes to offer dignified service beyond expectations.
Following graduation, Kemp returned to Lafayette, Louisiana to work for Martin & Castille Funeral Home, a longtime family owned funeral home which was a staple to the City of Lafayette. While working for Martin & Castille, he made it a point to care for every family with the respect and dignity each deserved, carefully preparing the final farewell of each family’s most cherished loved one. While residing in Lafayette, he had the privilege of helping with a variety of community organizations such as the Healing House for abused Children, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Death and Dying Class as well as being a past member of the Optimist Club of Lafayette. This community outreach further inspired Kemp, in that his service to his fellow community members was not just a calling, but was a way of life through giving.
In addition to his commitment to providing respectful and dignified funerals and memorials, Kemp also is a veteran of the United States Army. He has served with 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Louisiana Army National Guard, enlisting before even graduating from high school in July 1995. He graduated basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina and attended school at the Home of the U.S. Cyber Center of Excellence in Fort Gordon, Georgia specializing in communications. He attended Officer Candidate School and received his commission as a Signal Officer, 2nd Lieutenant, in 2010. Kemp continues his military service to this day as he is a staff officer assigned to the 2nd Squadron 183rd Cavalry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Virginia Army National Guard.
Kemp is married to Trisha Marie David, formally of Lafayette, Louisiana, and has three wonderful children, Hannah Elizabeth, Ethan Jude and Kayden James and three beautiful grandchildren, Harper, Leon and Jet. Family and God is his inspiration and is what gives him strength to help others in their moments of need and bidding that final farewell in the most dignified way possible making Kemp truly a valued asset to the Funeral Profession and to Rocky Mount.
Dexter D. David
CCO, Family Service Counselor
Dexter D. David was born in New Iberia, Louisiana, and lived in New Orleans for eight years before settling in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, with his devoted wife, Allison Paige Brown David, and their beloved German Shepherd, Roxy.
Guided by his faith, Dexter seeks to follow God’s will in every aspect of his life, trusting in His purpose above all. As Proverbs 19:21 (CSB) reminds us: “Many plans are in a person’s heart, but the Lord’s decree will prevail.” He believes that his calling in the funeral profession is a way to compassionately serve others, providing care and comfort in times of need.
Dexter and Allie are deeply thankful for their Redeemer Church family in Rocky Mount, where they’ve found a strong community committed to making disciples. Being involved in the life of the church is one of Dexter’s greatest joys, and he is reminded of Psalm 133:1 (CSB): “How delightfully good when brothers live together in harmony!”
He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Arkansas State University and Southeastern Louisiana University before completing his diploma in Funeral Service Education from Fayetteville Technical Community College in 2015. Dexter views his work not just as a career but as a calling, echoing Colossians 3:23 (CSB): “Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people.”
In his personal life, Dexter treasures time spent with Allie, Roxy, and his extended family. He enjoys watching football games and spending time at the beach, his favorite getaway. He remains thankful for God’s guidance in every step of his journey, trusting in the Lord’s plan and grace.
Sherry Peace
Secretary, Digital Specialist & Family Care Specialist
Sherry joined our Wheeler & Woodlief team June 2015. She lives in Rocky Mount. She previously worked in the legal field for over 30 years. She enjoys spending time with her sons, Chris Oliver, Kyle Oliver and wife, Cait; her granddaughter's, Emory and Oaklee; and extended family and friends.
Tyrone Mercer
Equipment Manager and Service Engineer
Tyrone Mercer
Equipment Manager and Service Engineer
Tyrone is a native of Rocky Mount and has been proudly serving the families of Wheeler and Woodlief for over 11 years as the Equipment Manager and Service Engineer. Ty is married to the former Tywanna Barnes and they have one child, Tynesha. Ty and his family is a member of the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Rocky Mount. In his spare time he and his family enjoy visiting family.
Rev. Carlton Cockrell
Funeral Service Attendant
Rev. Carlton Cockrell
Funeral Service Attendant
Carlton joined the Wheeler & Woodlief team in 2016. Previously, he worked in the local newspaper business for 30 years and with the postal service for 13 years. He lives in Rocky Mount and enjoys spending time with his grandchildren and watching baseball in his free time.
Brenda Winstead
Funeral Service Attendant
Brenda Winstead
Funeral Service Attendant
Brenda is originally from New Bern, NC and has been a part of our team since 2017. In addition to this, she has been working with the Nash County government for over eight years. In her free time, Brenda likes spending time with her husband, Andrew, singing, reading, and going to the beach.
Retired
JD Powell
Funeral Service Attendant
JD Powell
Funeral Service Attendant
J.D. joined the Wheeler & Woodlief family in 2005. He is a retired Rocky Mount Police Department Lieutenant, having served 31 years on the police force. He has been an active deacon in his church for four years and provides services as an usher as well. J.D. lives in Rocky Mount with his wife, Mary.
First I would like to give a huge thanks to Dexter he was so down to earth and such a great person at heart, I could genuinely feel he cared, and sympathized with my situation. Second I would like to thank everyone for making sure my brothers funeral went as planned. I was out of my element, dazed and confused. Wheeler & Woodlief handled everything seamlessly so I could grieve and be with my family, they did the best job one could ask for at such a horrible time. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart for taking care of my brother 🙏🏾