Meet Our Family

Our family is here to provide support, compassion, and information to help you through your journey of grief and the celebration of your loved one’s life. We have been dedicated to helping the Halifax area community since 1954.



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Dwight Vanest Co-Owner | Funeral Director | FDIC

Dwight was born in Daytona Beach. He met Kelly Woodward while attending Warner Christian Academy in South Daytona. He then attended Devry Technical Institute and is a graduate of The Dallas Institute of Funeral Service. He and Kelly married and joined the firm in 1987. He is licensed as a Funeral Director and Embalmer. Among Dwight's other responsiblities, he is the owner and President of Vanest Monuments. Dwight is a member of the First Baptist Church Daytona Beach, Past President of the Ormond By The Sea Rotary and served on the board for many years, affiliate of The Quarterback Club, coach for Pop Warner Football and coached soccer and basketball for the City of Ormond Beach. Dwight and his wife, Kelly, live in Ormond Beach.

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Kelly Woodward Vanest Co-Owner | General Manager

Kelly, the youngest of the Woodward children, was also born and raised in Daytona Beach. She graduated from Warner Christian Academy and received an engineering degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Kelly is an active member of the First Baptist Church Daytona Beach, where she helps with the nursery. She is a Past President of the P.T.A. for Osceola Elementary School, member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority and has served with the Junior League. Kelly maintains a strategic role with the funeral home in bookkeeping and procurement. Kelly currently resides in Ormond Beach with her husband, Dwight.

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Tracy Woodward Co-Owner

Tracy is a lifelong native of Daytona Beach. Born at Halifax Hospital, she lived above the funeral home until age 6. She graduated from Seabreeze High School, then received her Bachelor Of Arts degree from Emory University in Atlanta, GA. Tracy graduated with honors from Gupton Jones College of Funeral Service where she was a member of the Phi Sigma Eta fraternity for scholastic excellence. She joined her father, Dale Woodward, in business in 1982 and has devoted herself to serving families of our community for the last 24 years. Tracy is a member of the First Baptist Church Daytona Beach, Past President of the Holly Hill Business & Professional Women's Club, Independent Funeral Directors of Florida, has served with the Junior League, the Holly Hill Chamber of Commerce, the Citrus Council of Girl Scouts, and many various community groups.

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David Woodward Co-Owner

David, a native of Daytona Beach, was born in Halifax Medical Center. He attended Seabreeze Junior High School and went on to graduate from The Bolles School in Jacksonville, where he played running back for the football team. David received a Bachelor Of Arts degree from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. He joined the firm in 1985. He is a member of the First Baptist Church Daytona Beach and affiliated with the Holly Hill Chamber of Commerce and the Daytona Beach Quarterback Club.David lives in Port Orange with his family. 

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Erik Perry Licensed Funeral Director

Erik Perry is a long time resident of Ormond Beach. He graduated from Seabreeze High School in 2007. He married Dwight and Kelly's oldest Daughter, Lindsey, in 2011 after attending The University of Florida and graduating from the University of Central Florida with a Degree in Public Administration and a minor in Political Science. He then graduated from St. Petersburg College with a degree in Funeral Service. He is involved with the Athens Theatre in Deland, Orlando Family Stage, Orlando Shakes, Peabody Foundation, the Holly Hill Chamber of Commerce - Past President, and the Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce. He was a nominee for the Daytona Beach News-Journal's 40 Under 40 Award in 2020.  He is a proud member of Actors' Equity. 

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Troy Vanest Licensed Funeral Director

Dwight Vanest

Co-Owner | Funeral Director | FDIC
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Dwight was born in Daytona Beach. He met Kelly Woodward while attending Warner Christian Academy in South Daytona. He then attended Devry Technical Institute and is a graduate of The Dallas Institute of Funeral Service. He and Kelly married and joined the firm in 1987. He is licensed as a Funeral Director and Embalmer. Among Dwight's other responsiblities, he is the owner and President of Vanest Monuments. Dwight is a member of the First Baptist Church Daytona Beach, Past President of the Ormond By The Sea Rotary and served on the board for many years, affiliate of The Quarterback Club, coach for Pop Warner Football and coached soccer and basketball for the City of Ormond Beach. Dwight and his wife, Kelly, live in Ormond Beach.

Kelly Woodward Vanest

Co-Owner | General Manager
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Kelly, the youngest of the Woodward children, was also born and raised in Daytona Beach. She graduated from Warner Christian Academy and received an engineering degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Kelly is an active member of the First Baptist Church Daytona Beach, where she helps with the nursery. She is a Past President of the P.T.A. for Osceola Elementary School, member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority and has served with the Junior League. Kelly maintains a strategic role with the funeral home in bookkeeping and procurement. Kelly currently resides in Ormond Beach with her husband, Dwight.

Tracy Woodward

Co-Owner
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Tracy is a lifelong native of Daytona Beach. Born at Halifax Hospital, she lived above the funeral home until age 6. She graduated from Seabreeze High School, then received her Bachelor Of Arts degree from Emory University in Atlanta, GA. Tracy graduated with honors from Gupton Jones College of Funeral Service where she was a member of the Phi Sigma Eta fraternity for scholastic excellence. She joined her father, Dale Woodward, in business in 1982 and has devoted herself to serving families of our community for the last 24 years. Tracy is a member of the First Baptist Church Daytona Beach, Past President of the Holly Hill Business & Professional Women's Club, Independent Funeral Directors of Florida, has served with the Junior League, the Holly Hill Chamber of Commerce, the Citrus Council of Girl Scouts, and many various community groups.

David Woodward

Co-Owner
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David, a native of Daytona Beach, was born in Halifax Medical Center. He attended Seabreeze Junior High School and went on to graduate from The Bolles School in Jacksonville, where he played running back for the football team. David received a Bachelor Of Arts degree from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. He joined the firm in 1985. He is a member of the First Baptist Church Daytona Beach and affiliated with the Holly Hill Chamber of Commerce and the Daytona Beach Quarterback Club.David lives in Port Orange with his family. 

Erik Perry

Licensed Funeral Director
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Erik Perry is a long time resident of Ormond Beach. He graduated from Seabreeze High School in 2007. He married Dwight and Kelly's oldest Daughter, Lindsey, in 2011 after attending The University of Florida and graduating from the University of Central Florida with a Degree in Public Administration and a minor in Political Science. He then graduated from St. Petersburg College with a degree in Funeral Service. He is involved with the Athens Theatre in Deland, Orlando Family Stage, Orlando Shakes, Peabody Foundation, the Holly Hill Chamber of Commerce - Past President, and the Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce. He was a nominee for the Daytona Beach News-Journal's 40 Under 40 Award in 2020.  He is a proud member of Actors' Equity. 

Troy Vanest

Licensed Funeral Director
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