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In 2012, I ventured into the tombstone business and had the privilege of learning from top mentors in the granite industry. They imparted a wealth of techniques crucial for working with granite, bronze, and slate. Through this experience, I have honed my skills in crafting headstones and memorials, striving to simplify the process for families from ordering to installation. My second goal is to provide affordable options, understanding that not everyone is prepared to invest heavily in a headstone.
Operating from our home base, we handle everything from etching to delivery, ensuring a seamless process. I oversee the etching, lettering, and installation of memorial stones, and our technology allows us to add details and finalize etchings on-site at the cemetery. I offer a flexible schedule and am willing to meet families at their homes or the cemetery, wherever they choose.
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In the stone industry, the most significant challenge I encountered was the lengthy turnaround time. I've dedicated myself to providing quick turnarounds for families, but this was disrupted by COVID. Fortunately, we are now back to swift turnarounds!
I can make changes on the spot in just minutes instead of days. I offer face-to-face consultations with families, or we can communicate via email, Zoom, or text messaging for long-distance sales.
Once the family approves the stone, if it's in stock, the turnaround time is 6-8 weeks. For custom orders, it's 120 days (4 months). Despite this, our times are still more reasonable compared to other companies.
Additionally, I offer a rapid service for in-stock stones for a fee of $350. This service is designed for families requiring stones to be ordered, designed, and installed within three weeks or 21 days.
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Although my dream job has always been to be a game warden or a land surveyor I have always loved working with people. My husband is a funeral director so this gave me the opportunity to work with him but not directly beside him daily. This has afforded me the opportunity to support my husband when needed and continue my role as a mother to our son Hughes. At the beginning of 2023 my husbands funeral home Sheridan Funeral Home & Norman Chapel and the headstone company separated and Sheridan Monuments, LLC became Virginia Monument Company and is now 100% women owned. Everyday with every transaction we try to make it a better company for it’s customers with the best prices and best customer service possible.
When I’m not selling tombstones you can likely find me at my horse barn or at a local horse show. Some of my other hobbies include looking for investment properties, jogging, playing tennis, learning to play golf and taking long Sunday drives.
My husband Paul and I have a son named Hughes. Hughes helps in cemeteries and sometimes my right hand man. He keeps us busy after school and loves sports. He also rides horses but loves playing baseball, football, golf, basketball and this is his first year in the local 4-h livestock club. Our family has four dogs. We have two giant schnauzers Archie and Ivey Rose and a mini schnauzer Daisy. We also inherited a toy poodle named Napoleon when his parents moved to an assisted living.
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