MEET OUR CARING STAFF

Dr. Barbara Carey-Shuler, Owner/CEO

Dr. Carey-Shuler is the owner/CEO of Shuler’s Memorial Chapel, Inc., a family-owned business, located in Delray Beach and Mangonia Park, Florida. The business was founded in 1985 by her late husband, James Lamar Shuler. Dr. Shuler holds a B.A. degree from Florida A&M University, a Master’s degree from Ohio State University, a Specialist degree from the University of Miami and a Doctorate degree from the University of Florida.

She served as a public school teacher, a university professor, an assistant superintendent for Dade County Public Schools, and held one of the most powerful positions in the region as chairperson of the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners.

Throughout her career, she has been recognized for outstanding service and received major appointments to prestigious national, state and local boards and committees by U.S. Presidents and state governors, as well as hundreds of honors and awards by local groups.

Tony A. Austin, Director of Operations, LFD/EMB

Tony Austin, a licensed funeral director and embalmer, oversees a staff of eight full-time employees, several part-time employees and specialty contractors.

Mr. Austin supervises all business decisions affecting the family-owned funeral and cremation organization, which has had a presence in Delray Beach since 1985. The second location in Mangonia Park opened in 2007. He works in strategic partnership with Dr. Barbara Carey-Shuler, wife of the late business founder James Lamar Shuler.

Mr. Austin sees growth potential in both markets where the chapels have strong name recognition and community ties. In Delray Beach, he sees a number of opportunities to reach audiences that would appreciate more convenient arrangement services via the web or over the phone. Shuler’s Memorial Chapel also plans to hold more community outreach to explain the advantages of pre-planned/pre-need arrangements, which allows family members to plan and finance their services in advance.

Barbara Shuler brought Mr. Austin out of retirement to head operations due in large part to his extensive experience and professional relationship with Lamar Shuler. The men worked together as part of the Florida Morticians Association. Austin had retired in October 2009 from Stewart Enterprises’ Caballero Rivero Woodlawn Funeral Home and Cemeteries in Miami, where he had worked since 1988. His last position was managing the Woodlawn Chapel in Hialeah.

Roderick W. Stevens, Director of Funerals, LFD/EMB (Mangonia Park)

A graduate of the Mortuary Science Department at Miami-Dade Community College, Mr. Roderick Stevens completed the program of Mortuary Science in 1982. He was eligible for apprenticeship and served at Stevens Brothers Funeral Home, a family business. Roderick took the State Board of Florida Funeral Directors examination, passed successfully, and received his Florida State License to practice Funeral Directing in 1983.

Mr. Stevens began his career at Stevens Brothers Funeral Home in 1982, working his way up through the ranks of car washer, funeral attendant, assistant preparation room supervisor, assistant personnel manager, chapel manager, and general manager until June 2007.

Roderick has been actively involved in the following, wanting to give back to the local community that embraced him over the years:

Junior Achievement Program in Palm Beach County since 1996 as a volunteer to students in the middle and high school grades.

100 Black Men of Palm Beach County serving as a vice president and treasurer

Member of First Regional District, Florida Morticians Association

Member of L.E.A.D.E.R.S. to Rebuild our Communities, Inc.

Member of The Pleasant City Family Reunion Committee to Preserve History, Palm Beach County; presently serving as Chairman of the Board

Mentor and advisor to youth in areas of how to apply for a job; etiquette for young men; social skills for youth. Roderick has received awards and certificates for being a role model and example for young people.

Church of God Youth Director of the Year in 1984

Recognized for unselfish support of our neighborhood youth in Palm Beach County by former County Commissioner Addie L. Greene, Florida State Representative District 84 in 1998.

Award from St. Paul A.M.E. Church in West Palm Beach for accomplishments in community service, “Men of Diversity 2006”

Torch Bearers Award, 2006 Award of Appreciation from the City of Riviera Beach, Florida from the late Mayor Clara King-Williams, 1998

Mr. Stevens has been an active member of Greater Faith House of God in Tamarind Park corridor of West Palm Beach since 1991. He is serving in various capacities. Roderick wants to make a difference in the lives of people, especially youth, showing them through example that there is a positive and effective way to live an honest life.

Currently employed by Shuler’s Memorial Chapel, Inc., he joined the staff in July 2007. He serves in the position as Funeral Director, Family Counselor and Manager of Shuler’s Memorial Chapel in Mangonia Park, Florida.

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Sam Austin Jr. 63, of Royal Palm Beach was born and raised in a small town named Monticello in northern Florida. Sam is an Army veteran after dedicating six faithful years of service to our country. Over the years he has received an Associate of Arts degree in Business Administration from Jones College, and an Associate of Science degree Funeral Services from Lynn University.  Mr. Austin has been married to his wife Rosa for 29 years and they have one daughter, Rosemary. Sam is known in our community from both his 24 years working Winn Dixie Stores Inc as head of the meat department and the 17 years as a funeral director then general manager for Royal Palm Funeral Home. Sam still is a licensed funeral director and is now working for Shuler's Memorial Chapel. He is a dedicated member of Peaceful Zion Baptist Church where he serves as a Deacon and class leader. His favorite bible verse is Hebrew13:2. “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Mr. Austin has served on many community boards and political campaigns here in Palm Beach County. His hobbies are fishing, gardening, traveling, cooking, listening to smooth jazz, ceramics and reading. His favorite writers are E. Lynn Harris and James Patterson. Sam always says “If you stay happy you will be healthy and God will make a way for you always.”   

Sam Austin Jr.