Our Valued Staff
Our staff is committed to providing support, compassion, information, and direction as needed to all members of our community, their families, and friends who are dealing with loss and grief.
“When Bill gave me the opportunity to work with him, I was truly honored. Just like Bill, my family’s legacy has been about helping people and I hope to blend the heritage of the Yates family into my own.” Tom Conway, Sr. has been licensed as a funeral director for more than 30 years and is a fourth generation funeral director. Working most of his career for his own family’s funeral home, in 2003 Tom purchased the Bass Okeechobee Funeral Home, located in Okeechobee, Florida. Then in 2007, Tom acquired Yates Funeral Home and Crematory from Bill and his family, and in 2010, Tom purchased Buxton Funeral Home and Crematory, also located in Okeechobee.
Tom is married to Lisa and they have seven children; their oldest, Tommy (Tom, Jr.), is a fifth generation funeral director and Patrick, Kaela, Brenna and Tori (Tom, Jr.'s wife) are active in various roles at the funeral homes; Kait, Tom's oldest daughter, has chosen a successful career path outside the funeral profession and Baleigh, their youngest daughter, is finishing up high school.
“I’m excited about working with Tom and his sons, they are like family to me and I know that they will continue serving the people of our community the way I’d want them to be served.” Bill Yates, known to many as "Billy," was born and raised in Fort Pierce, Florida. He grew up in the funeral business. He worked with his father, Joe Yates, until his death in 1965. Bill Yates graduated from Dan McCarty High School in 1962 and from Miami-Dade in Mortuary Science Program in 1967. He was past president and member of Emergency Medical Services Board from 1983 – 1990. Bill was president of the Tri-County Funeral Directors Association in 1976-1977. Additionally, Bill has been a long-standing and active member of many clubs and fraternal organizations throughout our community.
He and his wife, Betsy, have been married for over 40 years. When he is not helping families, Bill enjoys fishing, hunting, and collecting coins.
Tommy is Tom and Lisa’s oldest son and a fifth-generation funeral director and embalmer. Tommy is married to Tori Conway; they have two children, Declin and Cooper and a standard poodle, Sarge. Tommy is a graduate of John Carroll Catholic High School in Ft. Pierce; he is also a graduate of Miami Dade College with a degree in Funeral Service. In his spare time Tommy enjoys fishing, boating and spending time with his family.
Kelly was born and raised on Long Island. She majored in Mortuary Science at the State University of New York at Farmingdale where she earned an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science. She has been a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer since 1991 and is currently licensed in the states of Florida and New York. Kelly worked for a family owned funeral home in Huntington Station, NY for 17 years before relocating to Port St. Lucie in 2005. After working in the corporate world for several years, she returned to a family owned funeral home, joining Yates Funeral Home in 2012.
Kelly is dedicated to helping families at their time of need, and loves to help create lasting memories that truly reflects the life that was lived. When not at work she enjoys spending time with her children and granddaughter.
Lisa Conway has maintained many different roles in the family's funeral homes for over 30 years. During this time Lisa has raised her and Tom's 7 children as well as owned and operated other businesses. In more recent years, Lisa has taken on an even more active and full time role in our Funeral Homes, managing our offices on the coast. In addition to these responsibilities, Lisa is also a Certified Life Celebrant and Journey Services Representative caring for our families through Provisions Advances Funeral Planning, Pathways Bereavement and Grief Support, and Treasures Remembrance Services.
Through the years Lisa has been inspired by the way Tom cares for families and realized it is a true calling to journey with each family. Because of this It has become Lisa's passion as well to serve our families each and every day.
When not at the office Lisa enjoys spending time with her family that now includes her granddaughters Jayden and Ireland. Lisa also enjoys traveling, coaching girls lacrosse, working with youth and volunteering in various ways throughout the community.
Brenna just graduated from Miami Dade College in Spring 2019 earning her degree in Mortuary Science. She is number five out of Tom and Lisa’s seven children. Brenna enjoys spending time with her two cats, Theodore and Millie. In her spare time, she appreciates being out in the sun and spending time with friends and family.
Brenna looks forward to working with families who entrust in Yates Funeral Home.
Chris Reyes joined the Yates Funeral Home Family on February 29,2016.
Chris is a valuable team member and helps out in any capacity throughout the day.
Chris enjoys Football, Nascar, and UFC fighting. He also enjoys spending time with family and friends. Chris was born in Miami,Fl. He has been married to his beautiful wife Lori for 16 years, and has 1 son and 2 step-children, and 2 grandchildren.
Chris has enjoyed working with the family and staff of Yates Funeral Home and looks forward to working with them for many more years to come.
