AFDA Annual Convention

Several Arkansans were honored on Friday, March 7 by the Arkansas Funeral Directors Association (AFDA). The honors were presented during an awards banquet that serves as the capstone of the AFDA Annual Convention.

The Arkansas Funeral Directors Association is composed of the professional men and women across the state serving in the funeral industry. The association’s mission is to inspire excellence in service to funeral professionals providing industry support, government advocacy, public relations, and best practices to the association’s members. Their annual convention, held every spring, was held at The Graduate Hotel in Fayetteville. The day included continuing education, a keynote speaker, a reception honoring both the incoming and outgoing Association presidents and the awards banquet. 

Recipients of the awards include Bruce Smithson, Charles “Charley” Farmer, and Donald W. Martin. The recipients were honored for their contributions to the funeral industry in Arkansas and service to their communities. 

“This year’s award winners are incredibly impressive. Combined, they’ve served the state in the funeral profession for over 125  years. It was an honor for the Arkansas Funeral Directors Association and the AFDA Board to recognize their accomplishments, “ said AFDA Immediate Past President Robert Kaelin.