Our Staff

Doug Bevell is the founder of Wilmington Funeral & Cremation. He began a career in the funeral service profession in South Hill, Virginia with the former Crews Funeral Home and later served his apprenticeship with Oakey Funeral Service in Roanoke, Virginia. He was a 1981 graduate from Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science in Atlanta, Georgia.

After numerous years of service in the Southside Virginia community where he quickly learned the importance of giving a helping hand as a lifetime member and a former Captain of the Chase City Volunteer Rescue Squad. He served the community with dignity and respect for over 30 years and was past president of the Chase City Jaycees.

After running several successful funeral homes and before returning permanently to Wilmington in the early 1990s, Doug has shown both passion and heart as a member of the community and as a funeral home owner for those in need. His goal has been to serve families during the most difficult times during their life and so he created Wilmington Funeral & Cremation to change the face of funeral service in Wilmington and the surrounding areas.

Doug continues his passion and life long dream of serving families as a North Carolina licensed funeral director, licensee Crematory operator and a certified Life Celebrant. He is also a member of the North Carolina Funeral Directors Association, as well as the National Funeral Directors Association, a member of the Oak Grove Presbyterian Church, and the Wilmington Cape Fear Rotary club where he serves on the board of directors, as well as Creekside Yacht Club where he enjoys his time in his boat on the waters of the Cape Fear when not involved in the daily operations of the funeral home.

A Wilmington native, Duane attended New Hanover High School before graduating from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. With over 36 years of experience, Duane has dedicated his life to serving families during their time of need.

Actively involved in his community, Duane is a member and Past Master of Wilmington Lodge #319 A.F. & A.M., Wilmington York Rite Masonic Bodies, Sudan Shrine Center in New Bern where he serves on the Widows Fund Board of Directors, a member and past Captain of the Sudan Drum & Bugle Corps, member and past Patron of AREME Chapter #372 Order of Eastern Star and member of the Arab Shrine Club in Wilmington. Very involved with the Arab Shrine Club, Duane has served on the annual Fish Fry Committee as a site location Chairman for over 30 years.

Professionally, he is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association and the North Carolina Funeral Directors Association and is currently serving on the Board of Directors.

He and his wife are members of Red Hill Pentecostal Church in Freeman.

Born in Wilmington, Matt was raised in Hickory, North Carolina. He received his Degree in Funeral Service from Fayetteville Technical Community College after serving his country in the 82nd Airborne. Passionate about helping others, he worked in nursing before joining the Wilmington Funeral & Cremation staff. In his spare time, Matt enjoys playing with his dogs, fishing, and being with family and friends.

Colleen has served on the Wilmington Funeral & Cremation staff since 2014. A California native, she moved to Wilmington in 1994. Colleen graduated from San Jose State University with a Degree in Business Administration in 1984 and has worked in business administration at various companies and banks. A member of College Acres Baptist Church, Colleen is very involved in the choir and children’s ministry. She is a mother of two; her son attends NCSU and her daughter CFCC.

She is a certified Life Celebrant who loves helping families created personalized and heartfelt celebrations of their loved one’s lives.

In 2007, Crystal received her Degree in Social Work from the University of North Carolina in Wilmington. She served as a Social Worker and Activity Director at a local skilled nursing center before joining the Wilmington Funeral & Cremation staff. Her desire to aid others and nourish her Wilmington community is evident in the work she does each and every day. She is a mother of two and has a dog, named Chile.

Born and raised in Wilmington, Raymond Brown received his Degree in Digital Design from The Art Institute of Charlotte in Charlotte, NC in 2005. He worked as a freelancer graphic designer for over 10 years. After moving back home, to Wilmington, he joined the Wilmington Funeral & Cremation staff. In his spare time he enjoys drawing and spending time with his wife and three children.