Meet the Staff

Meet the Staff

Thomas E. Baldwin (1913 - 2004) born in Arcadia, Florida, he graduated from Vero Beach High School and the McAllister College of Mortuary Science at New York City. He was a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer, first being licensed in Florida in 1932. Later in his career, he helped establish Baldwin Brothers Cremation Society. He was respected by his peers, cherished by his family, served as President of the Florida Funeral Directors Association, and was an inspiration to us all.

Ruth Anne Yeats has been a Florida Funeral Director since 1992. A native Floridian, having graduated from South Broward High School, Hollywood and Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science, Atlanta, GA. Ruth Anne is the chair for Relay for Life, signature fundraising event for the American Cancer Society, a member in the Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce as an Ambassador and member of Smyrna's Active Leaders for Tomorrow (SALT). She is also on the Board of Directors for the Florida, Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Association.

Evans P. Baldwin an eighth generation Floridian, graduated from Winter Park High School and the University of Central Florida with a Bachelors Degree in Finance. Evans has worked in the death care industry since 2001 and serves as the Society's Family Services Director. He is an active member of the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA), Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce as an Ambassador, and Smyrna Yacht Club and First United Methodist Church of Winter Park. 

Tami K Ellenberg, native of Chattanooga, Tennessee, grew up in Winter Park, Florida and graduated from Seminole Community College and Gupton Jones School of Funeral Service Education. Tami began her career in funeral service in 1998, serving on many capacities before earning her degree and her Funeral Director license if Florida in 2010.She has been an integral part of the Baldwin Brothers team since September 2010. Tami’s inspiration to become a Funeral Director was her father’s death in 1990. Her desire to serve familys’ needs is truly heartfelt. Tami is a member of Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church New Smyrna Beach. 

James R. Baldwin has been a Florida funeral Director since 1976 and owner of Baldwin Brothers Cremation Society since 1980. He graduated from Winter Park High School and Miami-Dade College Mortuary Science. He is a Past Master of New Smyrna Masonic Lodge, past president of The Rotary Club of New Smyrna Beach, and a member of St Peter the Fisherman Episcopal Church. He is active in the Bahia Shrine Drum & Bugle Corps is a Florida Master Naturalist. Jim is a Certified Life Tribute Celebrant. 

Gerald Richardson, a native and lifelong resident of Apopka, has been a Florida Funeral Director for over forty years serving families throughout central Florida. A graduate of Miami-Dade Mortuary Science program and a United States Air Force Veteran, Gerald is also a life member of the Apopka Historical Society, a life member of VFW post 10147, a member of Apopka Rotary and Apopka BPOE#2422. He and his wife Amanda have three children and six grandchildren.

Laura M. Griffith serves the Baldwin Brothers team as a planning consultant.  She has been in Florida for 15 years, and in the death care industry for over 10 years.  She previously owned and operated Griffith Contracting, a commercial remodeling business.  A graduate of Northern Community College, she stays active with her volunteer work with the American Cancer Society, and the local assisted living facilities.

Erika M. Baldwin was a founder of Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Homes of Orlando. She graduated from Miami Central High School and University Central Florida. She is former director of Medical Records at Winter Park Hospital and was an adjunct professor of anatomy at University of Central Florida College of Health Sciences. She belongs to the Junior League of Orlando/Winter Park, the Council of 101, and the First Congregational Church of Winter Park. She joined Baldwin Brothers in 1980 as a Planning Consultant.

Richard O. Baldwin has been a Florida Funeral Director since 1972 an owner of Baldwin Brothers Cremation Society since 1980. A native Floridian, a graduate of Winter Park High School, Miami-Dade College of Mortuary Science, and the University of Central Florida. He is past President of the Florida Funeral Directors Association and member of Smyrna Yacht Club, Orlando Bahia Temple, and First United Methodist Church of Winter Park. He is secretary of the DePugh Nursing Home.

Donna Fisher serves as Baldwin Brothers Office Manager. She graduated from Kean University in Union, New Jersey with a Bachelors Degree in Management-Accounting and relocated to Florida from New Jersey with her husband Tony in 2000.  Donna enjoys the Florida climate and living in a beach community. She enjoys gardening, sewing and crocheting.

James Arlotta, a native New Yorker, came to Florida as a child in 1968 with his family. As an adult he has owned his own business in Ocala and served as a Police Motorcycle Officer with the Hallandale Police Department who worked with many other patrols within the department including Homicide, Marine and Traffic. He was also liaison for Broward Co. Emergency Management. James joined Baldwin Brothers in 2010.  He continues to serve his community as an active member of the New Smyrna Beach Motorcycle Club and is undergoing training with the Florida safety Council to become a motorcycle instructor. James has two children. James loves his work for Baldwin Brothers as it allows him to continue to serve those who have a great need with compassion and integrity.

Raymond C. Knopke serves as a Planning Consultant and is a member of Baldwin Brothers Cremation Society's Board of Directors. A native Floridian, he graduated from Berkeley Preparatory School at Temple Terrace and University of South Florida College of Accountancy at Tampa. He is a former owner of Garden of Memories Funeral Home and Cemetery of Tampa, later served as President of the Neptune Society of Northern California, and is a past President of the Florida Cemetery Association.

Monty Beck, a native of Youngstown, Ohio, Monty worked as a Sales Manager for a Wholesale Bakery before moving to New Smyrna Beach in 1984.  He has worked for Baldwin Brothers since 1986 as a funeral director’s assistant helping many families through his kindnesses and helpfulness during their services.  Monty and his wife Marlene celebrated their 60^th wedding anniversary this year and together they have five children, 16 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.  Although Monty enjoys all football, he is an avid Ohio State Football fan.

Chirs Atwell, a lifelong resident of New Smyrna Beach and graduated from New Smyrna Beach High School. He is currently a student at Daytona State College studying criminal justice and will enroll in the Police academy in the fall of 2011. Chris aspires to be a Daytona Beach Police officer, serving under Chief Chitwood and hopes to work with the drug task force, K-9 unit and eventually becoming a supervisor.

Michelle A. Canerot serves as a Financial Consultant. She graduated from Loyola University of New Orleans with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and holds a CPA certificate. She has worked in the funeral industry for over 15 years, serving in various functions from CFO to Internal Auditor.