Our Staff
The Professional Staff of Renfro, Patterson & Jordan Funeral Home
Rick Doddy, Jerry Maxey, Maurice Jordon, Nirasha Chapman, Anthony Beasley, Jorge Hernandez
Mrs. Gayle Yvette Harden-Renfro
Liscenced Funeral Director
Gayle Harden-Renfro is a licensed funeral director and takes on an "event planner" role when she works with families to add custom touches to the service. Her talents come from a diversified career, all of which she brings home to her family business. Gayle is a 1974 graduate of Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind., where she graduated with honors with a BA degree in Journalism. Her 25-year career as a journalist started at her hometown newspaper--The South Bend Tribune. Following graduation from Purdue, she has worked at The Lansing State Journal, Lansing, MI. The Cincinnati Enquirer, The Hamilton Journal News, and The Cincinnati Post, where she enjoyed an 18-year stay. Gayle also worked as public relations director for the Greater Cincinnati Convention & Visitors Bureau before joining her husband, Julian, in 2004. Gayle, mother of Jenifer Renfro-Teasley, is an accomplished writer, artist, and licensed funeral director.
Mrs. Gayle Yvette Harden-Renfro
Liscenced Funeral Director
Gayle Harden-Renfro is a licensed funeral director and takes on an "event planner" role when she works with families to add custom touches to the service. Her talents come from a diversified career, all of which she brings home to her family business. Gayle is a 1974 graduate of Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind., where she graduated with honors with a BA degree in Journalism. Her 25-year career as a journalist started at her hometown newspaper--The South Bend Tribune. Following graduation from Purdue, she has worked at The Lansing State Journal, Lansing, MI. The Cincinnati Enquirer, The Hamilton Journal News, and The Cincinnati Post, where she enjoyed an 18-year stay. Gayle also worked as public relations director for the Greater Cincinnati Convention & Visitors Bureau before joining her husband, Julian, in 2004. Gayle, mother of Jenifer Renfro-Teasley, is an accomplished writer, artist, and licensed funeral director.
Jon Patterson
Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer
Positions Held: Funeral Director/Embalmer/Notary Public for Thompson, Hall, and Jordan Funeral Home (Spring Grove Cemetery-Owner) 2018-2022
Jon Patterson was the former Chief Operating Officer, Thompson, Hall and Jordan Funeral Homes/Jamison & Jamison FH, and was instrumental in the growth, operation, and expansion of 10 funeral homes across three states, serving annually over 1400 client families (2000-2018)
Executive Vice-President, Hall –Jordan Funeral Homes (1993-2000)
General Manager, Hall-Jordan, Pierce & Peoples Funeral Homes (1986-1993)
Affiliated with Glenn-Hall & Jordan Funeral Homes, September 1982- November 1984
Assistant Director, Statewide Operations, Indiana Office of Occupational Development, Indianapolis, IN (1978-1982) Under Gov. Otis Bowen and the US Department of Labor CETA Program Administration
Birthplace: Richmond, IN, the son of Paul & Charlene Burden Patterson, is a 5th-generation funeral professional. His grandfather, C. Stircle Patterson, began the funeral business in 1927 in Richmond, IN; his father, Paul Patterson, continued their firm for 47 years until his passing in 2010. Patterson Funeral Homes was one of the oldest African American funeral homes in Ohio, beginning in the 1890s by Chatfield M. Patterson in Lima, Findlay, Youngstown, Akron, Xenia, and John W. Patterson funeral homes in Springfield, Ohio, and Muncie, IN.
Education: Richmond Public Schools, graduate 1972; Attended Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 1972-1976; IUPUI at Indianapolis 1978-80; Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, graduating Cum Laude, 1983; Licensed Funeral Director in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky; Licensed Life Insurance agent in Ohio; served as Adjunct Instructor, Clinical Lab at CCMS, 1984-1986; Served 11 years as a Trustee and Board Member for Cincinnati Foundation for Mortuary Education (CCMS) 1987-1998.
Organizations: Holds membership in Allen Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church, National Funeral Directors Association, Greater Cincinnati Funeral Directors Association; United Funeral Directors of Greater Cincinnati; Buckeye State Funeral Directors; National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association; Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.; Nu Delta Mortuary Fraternity; Board Advisor, Granny’s Love Grief Comfort Center; Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center Decedent Affairs Committee and various other community and church organizations.
Jon is an accomplished Funeral Practitioner who dedicates his life’s vocation to serving his community in all aspects of death education and awareness, advanced funeral planning, insurance, funeral funding, grief and bereavement counseling, and all funeral-related activities. He has been blessed to provide this calling to serve others in their deepest hour of need. Jon possesses a wealth of knowledge, skills, and abilities with which to share with well over 6500 families served during his career. He provides many community seminars and workshops designed to educate the general public on all aspects of funeral financing and pre-planning final wishes. Jon appreciates the opportunity to partner with the long-standing family traditions of Renfro Funeral Services and the Jordan Family Funeral Homes to continue a Legacy of Service; a Lifetime of Trust.
Jon Patterson
Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer
Positions Held: Funeral Director/Embalmer/Notary Public for Thompson, Hall, and Jordan Funeral Home (Spring Grove Cemetery-Owner) 2018-2022
Jon Patterson was the former Chief Operating Officer, Thompson, Hall and Jordan Funeral Homes/Jamison & Jamison FH, and was instrumental in the growth, operation, and expansion of 10 funeral homes across three states, serving annually over 1400 client families (2000-2018)
Executive Vice-President, Hall –Jordan Funeral Homes (1993-2000)
General Manager, Hall-Jordan, Pierce & Peoples Funeral Homes (1986-1993)
Affiliated with Glenn-Hall & Jordan Funeral Homes, September 1982- November 1984
Assistant Director, Statewide Operations, Indiana Office of Occupational Development, Indianapolis, IN (1978-1982) Under Gov. Otis Bowen and the US Department of Labor CETA Program Administration
Birthplace: Richmond, IN, the son of Paul & Charlene Burden Patterson, is a 5th-generation funeral professional. His grandfather, C. Stircle Patterson, began the funeral business in 1927 in Richmond, IN; his father, Paul Patterson, continued their firm for 47 years until his passing in 2010. Patterson Funeral Homes was one of the oldest African American funeral homes in Ohio, beginning in the 1890s by Chatfield M. Patterson in Lima, Findlay, Youngstown, Akron, Xenia, and John W. Patterson funeral homes in Springfield, Ohio, and Muncie, IN.
Education: Richmond Public Schools, graduate 1972; Attended Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 1972-1976; IUPUI at Indianapolis 1978-80; Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, graduating Cum Laude, 1983; Licensed Funeral Director in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky; Licensed Life Insurance agent in Ohio; served as Adjunct Instructor, Clinical Lab at CCMS, 1984-1986; Served 11 years as a Trustee and Board Member for Cincinnati Foundation for Mortuary Education (CCMS) 1987-1998.
Organizations: Holds membership in Allen Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church, National Funeral Directors Association, Greater Cincinnati Funeral Directors Association; United Funeral Directors of Greater Cincinnati; Buckeye State Funeral Directors; National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association; Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.; Nu Delta Mortuary Fraternity; Board Advisor, Granny’s Love Grief Comfort Center; Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center Decedent Affairs Committee and various other community and church organizations.
Jon is an accomplished Funeral Practitioner who dedicates his life’s vocation to serving his community in all aspects of death education and awareness, advanced funeral planning, insurance, funeral funding, grief and bereavement counseling, and all funeral-related activities. He has been blessed to provide this calling to serve others in their deepest hour of need. Jon possesses a wealth of knowledge, skills, and abilities with which to share with well over 6500 families served during his career. He provides many community seminars and workshops designed to educate the general public on all aspects of funeral financing and pre-planning final wishes. Jon appreciates the opportunity to partner with the long-standing family traditions of Renfro Funeral Services and the Jordan Family Funeral Homes to continue a Legacy of Service; a Lifetime of Trust.
Larissa M. Jones
Funeral Director
Renfro Patterson Jordan Funeral Home – The Chapel of Peace Cincinnati
Renfro Patterson Jordan Funeral Home was honored to welcome Larissa M. Jones and The Chapel of Peace family to Cincinnati in September 2025.
A proud native of the Avondale community, Larissa brings compassion, professionalism, and cultural understanding to every family she serves. Her educational journey reflects her commitment to growth and service. Larissa is a graduate of Hughes High School (Class of 1995), earned an Associate Degree in Pre-Mortuary Science from the University of Cincinnati in 2013, and completed her Bachelor of Mortuary Science at the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 2015.
She successfully completed her required practicum at Renfro Funeral Service before entering her apprenticeship, later gaining additional hands-on experience as an Apprentice Funeral Director and Embalmer at Spring Grove Funeral Home from 2015 to 2017. Her dedication to excellence has made her a trusted presence in both the Columbus and Cincinnati communities.
With more than a decade of dedicated service, Larissa embodies the compassion, dignity, and quiet strength that families need most during their time of loss. Her guiding philosophy is simple yet profound: every life is unique, and every service should honor that uniqueness.
Her gift lies in personalization—listening deeply, understanding a family’s wishes, and creating meaningful tributes that reflect the heart and history of the person being remembered. This ability to craft intimate, individualized services has made her a trusted presence for countless families throughout Ohio during their most difficult moments.
Larissa is also a respected leader in her profession, serving as Vice President of the Buckeye State Funeral Directors and Embalmers Association, while maintaining active membership in the Ohio Funeral Directors Association, the OFDA Scholastic Assistance Committee, the National Funeral Directors Association, the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, the NAACP, Brown Hands Literacy, and the Avondale community. Through these roles, Larissa advocates for education, equity, and continued growth within the funeral-service profession.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Larissa is a devoted mother to five children—Delmar Jr., Dewayne, Devvon (a sophomore at Xavier University), Sidnee (a freshman at Wilberforce University), and Shelbee (a freshman at Central State University)—and a proud “Mimi” to Omari, Kendhra, and Dior. She enjoys spending time with her family, advocating for HBCUs, watching historical documentaries, and cherishes her favorite color: purple, and her favorite flower: tulips.
Larissa Jones, a daughter, mother, sister, friend, and a widely respected funeral professional with an unwavering commitment to the families she serves.
Larissa M. Jones
Funeral Director
Renfro Patterson Jordan Funeral Home – The Chapel of Peace Cincinnati
Renfro Patterson Jordan Funeral Home was honored to welcome Larissa M. Jones and The Chapel of Peace family to Cincinnati in September 2025.
A proud native of the Avondale community, Larissa brings compassion, professionalism, and cultural understanding to every family she serves. Her educational journey reflects her commitment to growth and service. Larissa is a graduate of Hughes High School (Class of 1995), earned an Associate Degree in Pre-Mortuary Science from the University of Cincinnati in 2013, and completed her Bachelor of Mortuary Science at the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 2015.
She successfully completed her required practicum at Renfro Funeral Service before entering her apprenticeship, later gaining additional hands-on experience as an Apprentice Funeral Director and Embalmer at Spring Grove Funeral Home from 2015 to 2017. Her dedication to excellence has made her a trusted presence in both the Columbus and Cincinnati communities.
With more than a decade of dedicated service, Larissa embodies the compassion, dignity, and quiet strength that families need most during their time of loss. Her guiding philosophy is simple yet profound: every life is unique, and every service should honor that uniqueness.
Her gift lies in personalization—listening deeply, understanding a family’s wishes, and creating meaningful tributes that reflect the heart and history of the person being remembered. This ability to craft intimate, individualized services has made her a trusted presence for countless families throughout Ohio during their most difficult moments.
Larissa is also a respected leader in her profession, serving as Vice President of the Buckeye State Funeral Directors and Embalmers Association, while maintaining active membership in the Ohio Funeral Directors Association, the OFDA Scholastic Assistance Committee, the National Funeral Directors Association, the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, the NAACP, Brown Hands Literacy, and the Avondale community. Through these roles, Larissa advocates for education, equity, and continued growth within the funeral-service profession.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Larissa is a devoted mother to five children—Delmar Jr., Dewayne, Devvon (a sophomore at Xavier University), Sidnee (a freshman at Wilberforce University), and Shelbee (a freshman at Central State University)—and a proud “Mimi” to Omari, Kendhra, and Dior. She enjoys spending time with her family, advocating for HBCUs, watching historical documentaries, and cherishes her favorite color: purple, and her favorite flower: tulips.
Larissa Jones, a daughter, mother, sister, friend, and a widely respected funeral professional with an unwavering commitment to the families she serves.
Donald Jordan, Jr.
Licensed Funeral Director
Donald H. Jordan, Jr. was born on October 2nd in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Rev. Donald H. and Katherine C. Jordan. He is the youngest of three sons.
Donald received his primary education from Bethany School in Glendale, Ohio, and attended Moeller High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating in the spring of 1997. Upon graduating from high school, Donald attended Wright State University in Fairborn, Ohio, for one year before transferring to the University of Cincinnati. Upon his departure from the University of Cincinnati, Donald enrolled in The Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and received his Bachelor of Mortuary Science Degree on September 22, 2001.
Donald served as the General Manager for Thompson, Hall & Jordan Funeral Homes from 2001 until the spring of 2010. As General Manager, Donald was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the family's ten locations, which were spread throughout Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. In 2010, Donald felt another calling upon his life and entered law enforcement. Donald served the communities of Woodlawn, Ohio, and Forest Park, Ohio, as a police officer for almost seven years.
On January 2, 2017, Donald's father, Rev. Donald H. Jordan, Sr., closed his eyes for the last time on this earth to wake up in Heaven. Before his father's death, Donald made a promise that he would return to the business full-time to build upon his father's legacy. Just over a month after his father's death, Donald decided to step out on faith and open his own funeral home in memory of his father. He decided to name the funeral home the Donald Jordan Memorial Chapel. In just a few short months, Donald has purchased the former Emmanuel Baptist Church in Middletown, Ohio, which will be a new chapel and community center, and opened a brand new location in Hamilton, Ohio, located at 4083 Pleasant Ave. In June of 2017, a new Middletown, Ohio location opened at 3520 Roosevelt Blvd. This location houses the business office for Middletown. Donald is currently working on opening a third location to serve the Dayton, Ohio area, which is scheduled to be open by the end of 2017. Donald is determined to build upon what his father taught him, which is to provide a first-class service at a price that every family can afford.
Donald is a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana, as well as a Licensed Insurance Agent in Ohio and Notary Public.
Donald holds memberships in the National Funeral Directors Association, Ohio Funeral Directors Association, Buckeye State Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, Kentucky Funeral Directors Association, Indiana Funeral Directors Association, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and is a founding member of Street Ryderz Motorcycle Club.
Although Donald is a Funeral Director by profession, he is also an FAA-licensed pilot, a state-certified peace officer, and a motorcycle enthusiast.
Donald Jordan, Jr.
Licensed Funeral Director
Donald H. Jordan, Jr. was born on October 2nd in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Rev. Donald H. and Katherine C. Jordan. He is the youngest of three sons.
Donald received his primary education from Bethany School in Glendale, Ohio, and attended Moeller High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating in the spring of 1997. Upon graduating from high school, Donald attended Wright State University in Fairborn, Ohio, for one year before transferring to the University of Cincinnati. Upon his departure from the University of Cincinnati, Donald enrolled in The Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and received his Bachelor of Mortuary Science Degree on September 22, 2001.
Donald served as the General Manager for Thompson, Hall & Jordan Funeral Homes from 2001 until the spring of 2010. As General Manager, Donald was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the family's ten locations, which were spread throughout Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. In 2010, Donald felt another calling upon his life and entered law enforcement. Donald served the communities of Woodlawn, Ohio, and Forest Park, Ohio, as a police officer for almost seven years.
On January 2, 2017, Donald's father, Rev. Donald H. Jordan, Sr., closed his eyes for the last time on this earth to wake up in Heaven. Before his father's death, Donald made a promise that he would return to the business full-time to build upon his father's legacy. Just over a month after his father's death, Donald decided to step out on faith and open his own funeral home in memory of his father. He decided to name the funeral home the Donald Jordan Memorial Chapel. In just a few short months, Donald has purchased the former Emmanuel Baptist Church in Middletown, Ohio, which will be a new chapel and community center, and opened a brand new location in Hamilton, Ohio, located at 4083 Pleasant Ave. In June of 2017, a new Middletown, Ohio location opened at 3520 Roosevelt Blvd. This location houses the business office for Middletown. Donald is currently working on opening a third location to serve the Dayton, Ohio area, which is scheduled to be open by the end of 2017. Donald is determined to build upon what his father taught him, which is to provide a first-class service at a price that every family can afford.
Donald is a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana, as well as a Licensed Insurance Agent in Ohio and Notary Public.
Donald holds memberships in the National Funeral Directors Association, Ohio Funeral Directors Association, Buckeye State Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, Kentucky Funeral Directors Association, Indiana Funeral Directors Association, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and is a founding member of Street Ryderz Motorcycle Club.
Although Donald is a Funeral Director by profession, he is also an FAA-licensed pilot, a state-certified peace officer, and a motorcycle enthusiast.
Ms. Debbie Coleman
Administrative Assistant
Debbie Coleman joined Renfro Funeral Services on April 6, 2006, bringing a wealth of experience and skills to our company. Debbie, a licensed Notary Public, works with our staff to set up funerals, designs programs, and assists in completing any family's request. She is a 1980 graduate of Woodward High School and attended Cincinnati Technical College. She is also a graduate of the Urban League Skill Training Center. Before joining Renfro Funeral Services, she worked as an administrative assistant for the Greater Cincinnati Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Ms. Debbie Coleman
Administrative Assistant
Debbie Coleman joined Renfro Funeral Services on April 6, 2006, bringing a wealth of experience and skills to our company. Debbie, a licensed Notary Public, works with our staff to set up funerals, designs programs, and assists in completing any family's request. She is a 1980 graduate of Woodward High School and attended Cincinnati Technical College. She is also a graduate of the Urban League Skill Training Center. Before joining Renfro Funeral Services, she worked as an administrative assistant for the Greater Cincinnati Convention and Visitors Bureau.
