OUR STAFF

Julia Diana Carter - Owner

Diana graduated from Commonwealth Institute of Mortuary Science with an Associate of Applied Science in Funeral Service degree.  She earned honors and distinction with her 4.0 GPA throughout the year, and completed her National Boards with an overall exam score of 93.  

Diana is a local girl, graduating from Channelview High School in 1971.  She has one son, Garrett Smith, who is a junior at Northshore High School.  She is a member of Woodforest Baptist Church.  She continues to serve the North Channel community by supporting various functions including the Northshore Rotary, Pilot's Club, North Channel Area Chamber of Commerce and is currently serving as an Advisory Board member for Hospice Care Team.  Diana is also on the Board of Directors for the Wendel D. Ley YMCA.  Most importantly, Diana hopes to continue to serve her community by continuing to help families that are dealing with the loss of a loved one.

Diana has twice been touched by death personally and she knows how difficult it can be to work through the details of a funeral and the months that follow.  "I believe God gives us all a ministry or a calling and He has worked through every detail of my life and has magically worked the funeral service to be my calling.  So now I will take what I have learned in school and from Joe and set out to honor his memory and most of all to honor God."

August and Maxine Thamm

August and Maxine Thamm have been a regular fixture at Carter Funeral Home since about January of 1997.  They are two special people to Diana Carter, mainly because they are her parents.  August had often been around long before 1997, whenever Joe Carter would have some major construction project underway at the funeral home.  August was always ready to step in and help out with the labor.  When Maxine came on full time, August was naturally there every day at least for the better part of the morning.

August Thamm is a retired longshoreman.  He retired from the Houston Ship channel after 40 years of service, hanging up his lunch box and duffle bag in January 1993.  He is now often seen during the morning hours at Carter Funeral Home watering or pruning all of the beatiful rose bushes, pot plants and gardens around the property.  Or you may see him running between parking lots assisting families and friends as they park for a funeral service.  There are countless other chores and responsibilities that August assumes and any longshoreman will tell you that he is a tireless hard worker.  One slight retraction -- he still carries his lunch bag and coffee thermos always ready for lunch about 11:00 most mornings.

Maxine Thamm started full time with Carter as our receptionist and part-time secretary.  You will often hear her cheerful voice when you call the office.  She is a dedicated employee and is to be commended for her loving and caring nature.  While Diana was in mortuary school, she dedicated her hours assisting Joe in little woodworking projects, preparing his breakfast and lunch and doing simple tasks such as putting on his shoes or buttoning his shirt.  Diana says she will always be grateful for the love and attention she displayed to Joe and Herself during his last days with A.L.S.

August and Maxine are a vital part of Carter Funeral Home as well as Diana's life.  "Thank you Mom and Dad."

Cheryl Westra

Cheryl grew up in the North Shore area and was a 1967 graduate of North Shore High School.  She began her career in funeral service at San Jacinto Memorial Funeral Home as the secretary to Joe K. Carter, 1985, and spent 4 years as the secretary for the cemetery.  After attending to ill parents, she went to work at Sterling White Chapel Funeral home in Highlands, and was there for 5 years.  She then went to work at Carter Funeral Home in April 1999, as secretary to Joe K. and Diana Carter.

Cheryl has been married to Harold for 30 years, and has resided in Channelview since September 1993.  They have 2 sons -- Jody and his wife, Tina, who reside in Conroe, and Chris, and his wife, Kelly, of Crosby, as well as 5 grand-daughters.

Paul Esposito

Paul graduated from Commonwealth College of Mortuary Science in Houston in 1973. He had worked around the funeral profession for several years before going to mortuary school. After graduation, he worked for Earthman Funeral Directors while doing his internship. He was the General Manager of Pasadena Funeral Chapel and San Jacinto Funeral Home and Cemetery while they were privately owned.

He returned to Houston in June of 2000 to assist Diana in completing her internship and help with the general operations of Carter Funeral Home. Paul continues to share his expertise in the funeral profession and assists the families we serve on a very professional and compassionate capacity.

Durwood Radican

When walking into Carter Funeral Home during visitations, you will often be greeted by the smile of Durwood Radican.  Mr. Radican has lived in the North Channel area for 33 years he and his late wife Hazel have raised three sons.  He has been a member of Faith Memorial Baptist Church in Houston for the past 53 years.

Durwood has helped out at Carter Funeral Home since February of 1998, when he and his beloved Hazel started working as evening greeters during visitations.  It has been difficult since losing Hazel to cancer in June of 2001, but he continues to go out of his way to see that our families feel at home and comfortable during their difficult time.

Diana Carter says that she is thankful to God for Durwood, for he has been such an asset to the business; and we all miss Hazel terribly.

Steve Kotal

Steve has been working for Carter Funeral Home about three years.  His primary job was as an A-1 Handyman always ready to tackle any job Joe Carter gave him -- from replacing doors and wall trim, building cabinets, etc. to fixing minor electrical repairs.  He is especially handy when helping our families during funeral services, or driving the flower car.  He continues to exhibit his carpentry skills around the funeral home.

Steve was born and raised in Sheldon where he and his wife Ora Lee reside.  They are active members of First Baptist Church of Sheldon.