Twiford Funeral Homes - Elizabeth City Staff

Colter “Colt” Blackford colt.blackford@twifordfh.com

Colter “Colt” Blackford, a native of Bucyrus, Ohio, joined the firm in 2015 as Director of Finance and Operations.  He is a graduate of Colonel Crawford High School and the Coast Guard Chief Petty Officers Academy.  He retired as a Chief Petty Officer with twenty-two years in the US Coast Guard.  He is a member of Westminster Reformed Presbyterian Church in Suffolk, VA, has two children and enjoys cooking, fishing and traveling.

Frederick Joe Griffith
joe.griffith@twifordfh.com

Joe Griffith, a native of Seth, WV and licensed funeral director since 1984, has been with the firm since 1988.  Joe earned an A.S. and B.S. in Education from West Virginia State College and a Pastoral Certificate from Pine Level Bible Institute. He served four years in the US Air Force and two years in the WV Air National Guard.  An ordained minister, Joe is pastor of Rehoboth Baptist Church in Maple, NC. Former president of the WV Student Education Association,  he is currently a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, the NC Funeral Directors Association and the Improved Order of Red Men.  He is married, has one daughter and enjoys travel, gardening and piano.

Jerome Rust
jerome.rust@twifordfh.com

Jerome Rust, a native of Currituck, NC, has been with the firm as a funeral director, embalmer and crematory manager since 1989.  Jerome is a graduate of Currituck County High School and has a diploma from John A. Gupton College of Mortuary Science in Nashville, TN.  He is a member of Rehoboth Baptist Church, serves on the board of the Cremation Association of North Carolina, and is a member of the American Society of Embalmers and the Improved Order of Red Men.  He is married, has a son, and enjoys hunting, gardening, woodworking and reading.

Beth Sommars beth.sommars@twifordfh.com

Ottilie “Beth” Elizabeth Sommars, was born in Rhode Island and as a military ‘brat’ lived all over the East coast. Beth is a funeral service licensee having joined the firm in 2015.  She holds an A.A.S in Funeral Service from Piedmont Technical College and is Nationally Board Certified in Arts and Sciences.  Beth attends Holy Family Catholic Church and is a volunteer Den Leader with the Boy Scouts of America.  She is married, has three children and enjoys reading, movies, music and good food.

Richard Ratzlaff richard.ratzlaff@twifordfh.com

Richard Frederick Ratzlaff has been a licensed funeral director for fourteen years and in the funeral service industry for twenty-two years.  He joined the firm in 2016.  Richard is a 1979 graduate of Andress High School in El Paso, TX and received his certification as a funeral director from Fayetteville Technical College in 2002.  He served thirteen and a half years in the US Air Force from 1979 to 1992 and is a Gulf War Veteran.  He is a member of Open Door Church in Bertie County, NC and served as a deacon.  He is married with four children, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Timothy Stallings, Jr.
timothy.stallings.jr@twifordfh.com

Timothy Stallings Jr., a native of Elizabeth City, NC, and licensed funeral director since 2005 has been with the firm since July 3, 2017. Timothy earned his Funeral Director Certification from Fayetteville Technical Community College. He has also pursued a B.S. degree in Religious Studies from Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA. He served 14 years in the Pasquotank County Public School system. An ordained minister, Timothy is pastor of The Master’s Touch Church in Elizabeth City, NC. He is married with three children and enjoys fishing, family time, travel, and serving the community.

Charles L. Williams
charles.williams@twifordfh.com

Charles L. Williams, Chief Accounting Officer

Todd Smith
todd.smith@twifordfh.com

Todd M. Smith, a native of Whiteville, NC, has been with the firm since 2010.  Todd graduated from Whiteville High School and is a veteran of Iraqi Freedom during which he served aboard the USS Tarawa.  Todd is currently serving his apprenticeship while attending Fayetteville Technical Community College for his funeral service license.  Todd enjoys the outdoors, camping and fishing.

Bobby Winslow
bobby.winslow@twifordfh.com

Robert “Bobby” Winslow, Jr., a native of Elizabeth City, NC, has been with the firm since 1996.  Bobby is a 1976 graduate of Northeastern High School. He then joined the US Army as a drummer and trombone player with the Army band.   He is married and has two children and a granddaughter.  He enjoys bowling, bass fishing, music and collecting toy trains.