My name is Donavion Thomas. I was born in Brooklyn, New York and was raised there for most of my life. Until recently, my family and I transitioned to Dover, Delaware. As the oldest child of two college educated professionals, I was encouraged to attend college and get as much out of the experience as possible. I was heavily recruited by the Dean and Associate Dean of the School of Business Honors Program at Mercy College for my public speaking skills. After graduating from Mercy College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance, I quickly immersed myself in Corporate America and worked for multiple well-known banking institutions.
During the height of the pandemic my best friend lost his mother to COVID-19. This took us all down a long road of hurt and sadness. During the funeral service it was very emotional for me and devastating for my best friend. However, while I may not remember what the preacher said, the funeral director last words to the family moved me. His words of encouragement. lowed me to pick my head up and wipe all my tears away. It was at this moment that I considered the role of a Funeral Director.
In the following year, I resigned from the bank and interned for my local funeral home, Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Inc. (BSFH) and shortly after would tend the most prestigious Mortuary Science Institutions in the country at, Pittsburgh Institute for Mortuary Science (PIMS) and currently working for John A. Freyvogel Sons Inc.
As we commence the start of black history month, it is important to understand that there is no American history without African American history. Maya Angelou once said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” This is a gem I hold near and dear to my heart. As I begin my journey in funeral service, I have come to realize what matters most. It’s not so much the specific actions you take or the words you say that people remember most, but how you made them feel during one of the most difficult times of their lives.
