About Us

Jody Herrington

Senior Managing Partner of Operations

Jody is the Senior Managing Partner of Operations and is extremely honored to be part of the team at Restland Funeral Home, Cemetery, and Crematory. Having served at a sister location in the Bay Area of California, she is excited about the new opportunities and experiences that await her. Jody joins with over 15 years of funeral service experience and over 30 years in the customer service arena. She feels that there is nothing she would rather do than care for your loved ones and help our community plan for the future.

Mike Day

Cemetery Manager

Mike began his career in the funeral profession in 1989 in his hometown of Kemp, Texas. After graduating from the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service in 1992 Mike became a licensed funeral director and embalmer. Over the course of 25 years Mike worked as a funeral director and was eventually promoted as Funeral Home Manager and ultimately Managing Partner of the locations that he began his professional career. Mike became Managing Partner of Cemetery Operations at Restland Cemetery in 2015 and has been privileged to work with the professional staff of Restland overseeing daily cemetery operations. “Treating every family as if it were my own, delivering compassionate care to the many families that Restland is honored to serve and the overall passion of helping others in need are personal rewards to me”. Mike enjoys the outdoors, hunting, fishing and camping and any type of family time and activities. Mike and his wife Lori have 3 children, Taylor, Dylan and Alyssa as well as one grandson, Luke Dawson Kephart.

Alicia Burnstein

Funeral Home Manager

Alicia was born and raised in Southern California. Originally, she was pursuing a career in Nursing, and happen to come across the brochure about the Mortuary Science Program that was at the same college. After attending the information night about the program, decided – “Why not” Three days into the program she knew that this was her calling in life, and never looked back. Alicia graduated from the Cypress College Mortuary Science program in 1998. Earning the two achievements: Student of the Year and The Rosalind Ragsdale Award. In 1999, Alicia started a 2-year embalming apprenticeship with Forest Lawn Memorial Parks & Mortuaries. Soon after obtaining her embalmer and funeral director license, was promoted to Mortuary/Funeral Service Supervisor of the Long Beach, California location. 6 years later would find her also in charge of the Cypress, California location. In the 16 plus years of being in this leadership role she was fortunate to work with many dynamic individuals. Also, developed and implemented a Work Study program for mortuary science students to experience the day-to-day operations of a Funeral Home. Took part in the Long Beach and Cypress Chamber of Commerce; local Veteran’s organization’s; and was active in all the Funeral Home related community events. In 2008, she earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Management from the University of LaVerne.

In 2017, Alicia and her husband, Norm decided that it was time to make a move. Within 2 weeks of placing, it on the market their house sold. They packed up their belongings and with their two fur babies made the move to Plano, Texas. In early 2018, she took a position as an embalmer. Having spent most of her career in management, she felt it was very rewarding to “get back to basics”. It renewed her love for this profession and reminded her why she chose this field. Then came COVID! Finally in September 2020, Alicia applied for a Funeral Director position with Restland Funeral Home & Cemetery. For someone who comes from the preparation side of the funeral home, this was a whole new world. Very rewarding and humbling. In November 2021, Alicia took on the role of Funeral Home Manager. This new role offered even more challenges and opportunities to grow. Alicia believes that every family who has entrusted us with their loved one needs to know they made the right choice, and that their loved one is in good hands.

Savannah Spurlock

Assistant Funeral Home Manager

Savannah is not just an employee at Restland Funeral Home. She knows first-hand what it's like to have a loved one laid to rest here.

As a child, Savannah frequented Restland Cemetery's Babyland to visit her older sister, and by the 8th grade, she knew working in death care was her worldly duty. Although being encouraged to find a different career path, she decided to apply to mortuary college during her senior year of high school. In the fall of 2014, Savannah began studying at the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service. She served as the Vice President of her class and graduated with Academic Honors.

In addition to funeral directing, she has assisted medical examiners' offices, interned at a Willed Body Program, served as a quality assurance associate for an organ and tissue bank in Renton, WA; and worked as a community outreach representative for a biohazard remediation company. She is also a member of the National Mortician's Fraternity, Pi Sigma Eta; a Certified Crematory Operator, and Certified Cremation Arranger.

When she is not working, Savannah enjoys trying new restaurants, researching her family's ancestry, watching her favorite tv shows, and being a dog mom to her paw baby, Tux.

Deneb Corkidi

George Young Care Center Manager

Deneb Corkidi has come full circle back to Restland, where she first began working afternoon visitations while attending mortuary college in the mornings. She studied at the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service, where she earned a scholarship for academic excellence and was featured in Texas Funeral Director magazine.
Raised in Mexico City and later Garland, Texas, Deneb brings a rich blend of culture, heritage, and faith to her work. She is active in the Dallas Jewish community and values the connections that keep her rooted in tradition. Before returning to Restland, Deneb managed funeral homes and care centers in Houston and Frisco, experiences that strengthened her leadership and deepened her commitment to serving families with care and compassion.

In her free time, she enjoys traveling with family, spending time with her two cats, being outdoors, and going to the movies.

Mitchell Ortega

Care Center Supervisor

Mitchell serves as the Care Center Supervisor and grew up in the Hurst-Euless-Bedford area of Texas before settling in North Dallas. A graduate of the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service in Mortuary Science, he has proudly served his community since 2017. Mitchell takes great pride in his work and is dedicated to providing care, respect, and compassion in everything he does.

“What I find most rewarding is being able to provide comfort and support when it’s needed most,” Mitchell says. “It’s an honor to serve families and know that my work helps bring them a sense of peace and understanding.”

Outside of work, Mitchell enjoys spending time with his family and taking bicycle rides around White Rock Lake.

Andrea Shields

Call Center Supervisor

Andrea, an Oklahoma native, embarked on a journey that led her from pursuing a nursing degree to becoming a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer. She graduated in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science Degree at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond. After 15 years of dedicated service in her small town, she had the opportunity to go to work at Floral Haven Funeral Home in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and flourished during a 6-year tenure, earning accolades and demonstrating outstanding leadership.
In 2022, a new chapter unfolded as Andrea's husband, Mark, received a job offer in Texas. Remaining loyal to the NorthStar Memorial Group, she seamlessly transitioned to Restland Funeral Home in Dallas, where she has thrived and evolved. In December 2023, Andrea embraced a pivotal career move, accepting the role of Assistant Funeral Home Manager at Restland. Eager to continue her professional growth, she envisions more leadership roles and success in her future.
Beyond her career, Andrea finds joy in shopping, road trips with her husband Mark, and cherished visits with her daughter, Shiann who resides in Tulsa. Andrea, Mark, and their fur baby, Luca Bella, call Sherman, TX, home.

Felicia Bailey

Cemetery and Funeral Home Office Manager

Felicia Bailey serves as the Cemetery and Funeral Home Office Manager at Restland. With 20 years of administrative experience, including 9 years in the funeral industry, she is dedicated to ensuring that our client families receive exceptional service. Felicia effectively manages a team that supports our funeral directors and family service advisors. She resides in Carrollton, TX, and enjoys cruising, planning, crafting, reading, and spending quality time with her family during her downtime. 

Donald Sharp II

Managing Partner of Community Development

Donald is the Managing Partner of Community Development at Restland and has been part of the profession since 2009. In his role, he oversees community outreach initiatives, leads seminars and lunch-and-learn programs, and provides training for new team members. Donald is passionate about helping individuals and families understand the importance of planning ahead and the peace of mind it brings.

“What I find most meaningful is the privilege of helping families make prearrangements,” Donald says. “Knowing their loved ones will never have to worry about financial or planning decisions brings them a true sense of comfort—and that’s why I love what I do.”

Outside of work, Donald enjoys spending time with family and friends and being involved in his community.

Bryce McKinley

Community Development Advisor

Bryce, for over 20 years, has been flown into some of the largest corporations worldwide to fix or train sales and service teams, by having better conversations that result in clients being better equipped to make the best decisions to serve their needs!

With a focus on simplicity, caring, and truly understanding where a client is in the moment, McKinley has helped so many get what they needed.

From personal experience, he thoroughly understands the Importance of Planning Ahead when it comes to life's toughest events and feels called as a mission to help others do the same!

McKinley is a Widower, Husband, Dad, Author, Speaker, and volunteer to many organizations.

Outside of work Bryce loves to fish, collects watches, and loves coffee.