OUR CARING STAFF

Kirk is the Director of Operations at Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Homes and Crematory.  He began his career in funeral service on May 1, 1991.  After more than twenty-seven years of service at Rich & Thompson Funeral & Cremation Service in Graham, NC, he was offered a position and later became the manager of Pierce-Jefferson Funeral Services in Kernersville and Greensboro, NC.  Kirk proudly served the Town of Kernersville and the Chamber of Commerce in various capacities and was named Business Person of the Year in 2022.  On February 10, 2025, Kirk was offered a new opportunity of service in the Edenton, Hertford, Gatesville and surrounding communities that Miller & Van Essendelft has served honorably and proudly for many years.  

Kirk is married to Laura Canady Bivins.  They have four children, Joshua Etheridge, Nate Bivins and his wife, Maddi, Carolina Link and her husband, Dawson, and Christian Etheridge.  He is a graduate of the Funeral Service Education Program at Fayetteville Technical Community College.  Kirk is a North Carolina Funeral Director Licensee, a licensed preneed counselor, a CANA Certified Crematory Operator, and a Certified Veteran’s Funeral Specialist.  He is a retired Firefighter/EMT from the Swepsonville Volunteer Fire Department in Alamance County, NC with more than 21 years of service.  Kirk is an avid-ask me anything- ”Andy Griffith” fan.  He thrives on the small town NC atmospheres that his 34 year career in funeral service has offered.  

Grace is originally from Georgia and graduated from Fayetteville Technical Community College in 2024.  Grace is dedicated to serving families with dignity, compassion, sensitivity, and the utmost respect.  She approaches each service with a strong sense of responsibility, thoughtful attention to detail, and a genuine desire to provide comfort and peace of mind.  

When she is not working, Grace enjoys cooking, trying new restaurants, and spending time at home with her husband. 

Dr. Linda Layden White, a native of Perquimans County, has a heart for service and an accomplished career in education and public leadership. A graduate of Perquimans High School, she earned degrees from Elizabeth City State University, The George Washington University, and East Carolina University. For more than three decades, she dedicated her life to teaching and leading at the school, district, and state levels, as well as mentoring future educators at East Carolina University—positively touching countless lives and families across North Carolina.

Now retired from education, Dr. White continues serving others as a licensed life insurance agent and through active involvement on a variety of educational, public service, and community boards at the county, regional, and state levels.  Dr. White is a devoted member and pianist at Whiteville Grove Baptist Church.

She is married to Chad White, and together they are blessed with three children: Clayton, Chase, and Whitney.

Billy lives in Sunbury and has lived in this community his entire life.  He is thankful to call Northeastern North Carolina his home.

Billy and his wife, Nancy, have been married for over thirty-nine years and attend Beulah Baptist Church.  Nancy, his sons, and their families are huge blessings to him.  One of his greatest joys is to sing for Jesus and His love. 

Raised in Hertford, Thomas graduated from Perquimans County High School in 1969.  He earned an Associates Degree from Chowan University in 1971 and a B.S. in Education from Carson-Newman University in 1973.  Thomas taught a variety of subjects and coached football, basketball and baseball at both the Chowan Academy and the Lawrence Academy.  

He was the head of school at the Chowan Academy from 1978-1980 and head of school at the Lawrence Academy from 1986-2000 and 2010-2022, when he retired.  Thomas has worked as a real estate broker with All Seasons Realty since 2000.

Oley Moore, a native of Gates County, is a graduate of Gates County High School. Over the years, he served the community in his career as a tractor-trailer driver with Ashton Lewis Lumber Company, Estes, and Lane Farm Supply. Now semi-retired, Oley works part-time with AA Farms.

He is married to his wife, Phyllis, and they have one son, Zach. In his free time, Oley enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending time at the beach.

Tyler Russell has been a member of the Miller & Van Essendelft staff since 2019. He is currently an agent with North Carolina Farm Bureau, and works out of the Chowan County office. Prior to joining Farm Bureau, he served as the General Manager of the Edenton Steamers for nine years. Through each of these professions, Tyler has become rooted in the Edenton community for more than a decade. He is originally from Gates County. He now resides in Edenton with his wife, Hillary, and son, James.

Kent was born in 1946 and raised in Portsmouth Virginia.  He graduated from Cradock High School in 1964. After graduation he worked as a Professional Photographer at O’Neal’s Portrait Studio.  In 1966, Kent married Lorraine McKenzie. Together they have a son and a daughter, four grandchildren, and one great-grandson.

Kent served in the US Army from 1965 to 1968.  He honorably served in Viet Nam in 1966-1967.  After his discharge from the Continental Army Command at Fort Monroe, he worked at Norfolk Naval Shipyard as a Supervisor Television Production Specialist until he retired in 1999. He and Lorraine then moved to Hertford, North Carolina. 

In 1980, Kent was elected the youngest state President of the Virginia Professional Photographers Association with over three hundred members.  He worked part-time for two funeral homes before joining Miller & Van Essendelft in January, 2012.

Chad White is a native of Perquimans County and brings a lifetime of dedicated public service and community involvement. A graduate of Perquimans High School and Elizabeth City State University, he has served in various capacities throughout his career, including with the North Carolina Highway Patrol, the North Carolina Department of Transportation and in farming. Chad currently serves his county as the Superintendent of Public Works for the Town of Hertford.

Chad is a member of Whiteville Grove Baptist Church and the Hertford Volunteer Fire Department. He is married to Linda Layden White, and together they have three children: Clayton, Chase, and Whitney.