Our staff's commitment to you
Staff members of Paradise Memorial Funeral Home are caring and experienced professionals who understand that each family is unique and has personal requests and traditions. These requests and traditions are of utmost importance to our staff of licensed funeral directors.
Our President
I am honored that my peers at the Wisconsin Funeral Director’s Association 138th Annual Convention were confident in my ability to lead our great state to guide them as their President. These are the bravest groups of professionals that I know. They work tirelessly around the clock to meet the needs of Wisconsin bereaved families.
- Dr. Camelia L. Clarke
Dr. Camelia L. Clarke
President/LFD
Camelia brings over 20 years of service in the funeral industry as a licensed funeral director. She is also a licensed insurance intermediary for the state of Wisconsin. She is an active member of the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) and Selected Independent Funeral Homes. She is the Past President of the Milwaukee Waukesha County Funeral Directors (MWCFDA) the Immediate Past President of the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association (WFDA).
Camelia L. Clarke graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science, Cardinal Stritch University (BSBA), Marquette University (EMBA), and the University-Wisconsin Whitewater with a Doctorate of Business Administration.
She has served on other boards including the MATC Funeral Service Advisory Board, Prince Hall Masonic Foundation, Zonta International Club of Milwaukee, Outreach Community Health Care Center, and the Greater Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce.
She is an active member of Unity Grand Chapter O.E.S., Sarah's Joy Chapter #8 O.E.S., and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Epsilon Kappa Omega Chapter in Milwaukee.
Camelia has been an active church member of the Holy Redeemer Church of God in Christ for many years. She is the wife of Marcel and is the mother of four wonderful children Raja’ee, Jazzmin, Mariah, and Mia Clarke.
Marcel A. Clarke, MBA
Vice President/LAFD
Marcel graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science with a Degree in Applied Science. Marcel also received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Degree from Southern University A&M and a Business Management with a Concentration in Entrepreneurial Studies from Herzing University. Marcel completed his Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree from Cardinal Stritch University.
Marcel is extremely active in the Milwaukee Community and has served on numerous boards of directors and community organizations including Beckum/Stapleton Little League Board of Directors, and the Clarence Parrish Foundation.
Marcel is a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., where he serves as the 10th District Keeper of Finance as well as several other committees. Marcel is also a proud member of the Prince Hall Masonic Family where he is a Past Master of True Square Lodge #11, Past Commander in Chief of Ionic Consistory # 70, Illustrious Potentate of Zembo Temple # 70, Shiloh Chapter # 2 and a Past Patron of Sarah’s Joy Chapter # 8.
Marcel is an active church member of the Holy Redeemer Church of God in Christ where he proudly serves as a Deacon. He is the proud husband of Camelia and the father of Raja’ee, Jazzmin, Mariah, and Mia Clarke.
Taahiraa S. Thomas
Director of Preneed and Certified Preneed Consultant, MAFM
Taahiraa S. Thomas is a proud native of Chicago, IL, and a veteran of the United States Army. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 2001 from Upper Iowa University. She also received a Masters of Accounting and Financial Management with a Concentration: Financial Analysis from Keller Graduate School of Management.
Taahiraa has spent most of her career as an Accomplished Business Banking Professional with more than ten years of experience in business planning and investment services for small businesses and high-net-worth individuals.
Taahiraa has extensive knowledge of financial reporting and analysis and valuations in addition to volunteerism, leadership, and community service.
Taahiraa joined Paradise Memorial Funeral Home preneed department in August 2015 provides personalized aftercare services to all families. Taahiraa is a member of Sarah’s Joy Chapter #8, O.E.S. and Epsilon Kappa Omega Chapter in Milwaukee. She serves on the board of directors for Unity Grand Chapter Foundation, Inc., as the Treasurer. She is the proud mother of 3 wonderful sons Tejun, Tariq, and Tamir Thomas.
Cassandra Winters
Licensed Funeral Director
Cassandra Winters, a dedicated Funeral Director at Leon L Williamson Funeral Home since 1999, finds immense fulfillment in helping families celebrate their loved ones' lives. She actively engages in her community, particularly at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, where she serves as an usher and has held various roles. Cassandra's extensive 29-year experience in the funeral service industry, along with her academic background, equips her with exceptional customer service skills and proficiency in restorative art.
Outside of her profession, Cassandra enjoys quality time with family and friends and has a passion for travel, both domestically and internationally. Her commitment to both her work and community demonstrates her unwavering dedication to supporting families during their most challenging times.
Deacon Dalton Alfred Andrews
Funeral Director Assistant/Clergy
Dennis Grey
Senior Funeral Director Assistant
Meet Dennis Gray, our Senior Funeral Assistant at Paradise Memorial and Leon L. Williamson Funeral Home since 2005. With a passion for helping families in their time of need, Dennis finds inspiration in being of service to those seeking support during difficult times. As a lifelong resident of Milwaukee, he takes great pride in being an integral part of the community he calls home. Dennis is an active member of Embassy Church, formerly Parklawn Assembly of God, where he engages with various public entities and organizations.
Dennis’s attentive eye for detail and commitment to perfection allows him to exceed client needs, ensuring that every aspect of the funeral is meticulously taken care of for the grieving families. Outside of work, Dennis cherishes his role as a devoted father, friend, and family man, carrying on a legacy of entrepreneurship from his family’s line of businesses, including Gray’s Barbershop and Gray’s Show Repair. With a deep love for the Milwaukee Bucks and a passion for cars, Dennis embraces life with enthusiasm and empathy, making him an invaluable member of team.
Raja’ee Vasser
Funeral Director Assistant
Raja’ee H. Vasser represents the second generation of Paradise Memorial Funeral & Cremation and has grown up around the funeral home. Unsurprisingly, he has a passion for finding ways to alleviate the burden of loss. Raja’ee strives to make the homegoing process a little bit easier for grieving families through his digital media talents.
Actively involved in the community, Rajaee is associated with organizations such as the NAACP, Center for Teaching Entrepreneurship, and Good Samaritan, all to support cultural and economic empowerment in the Milwaukee area.
Raja’ee’s dedication and strong communication methods make him an invaluable asset to the Paradise Memorial family and our community. With a focus on family support and empowerment, Raja’ee looks forward to serving future generations.
Raja’ee was a standout collegiate football player at Concordia St-Paul, where he studied business management.
Daequan Griffin
Funeral Director Assistant
Daequan Griffin joined the Paradise Memorial Family in 2022 as a Funeral Director Assistant. He finds fulfillment and purpose in helping families during life’s toughest moments. Dedicated to providing compassionate support, Daequan believes in the strength of a diverse and united community. Daequan work at Paradise Memorial allows him to interact with diverse individuals and families. With a focus on empathy and assistance, Daequan ensures that the needs of families are met to the best of their abilities.
Tariq Thomas
Funeral Service Assistant
Meet Tariq Thomas, our compassionate Funeral Assistant at Paradise Memorial Funeral and Cremation Services since 2020. Tariq finds fulfillment in his role by interacting with families and being a dependable support during their times of grief. As a young man in the industry, he takes pride in helping families take care of their loved ones during difficult times and being a source of comfort and guidance.
Beyond his work at the funeral home, Tariq actively engages with the community he serves. In his spare time, he serves as a lead juvenile worker for the state of Wisconsin, mentoring youth and young adults to utilize education as a pathway to success. Born and raised in Milwaukee, he is deeply connected to the community and seeks to make a positive impact by supporting and uplifting the younger generation. Alongside his dedication to his profession, Tariq is a devoted father to his son and is pursuing his dream of becoming a Licensed Architect, completing his degree at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee School of Architecture and Urban Planning.
Elder Jhigh Tatum Sr.
Office Manager
Elder Jhigh Tatum excelled in his roll as Office Manager at Leon L. Williamson Funeral Home since 2022. He values the Funeral Homes's innovative mindset, commitment to the community, and collaborative team spirit.
Actively involved in his place of Worship, Jhigh understands the community's needs and leads efforts to provide essential resources as the President of the Wisconsin Northwest Missions Department. His expertise in financial literacy and compassionate nature enable him to exceed client needs by empowering them with informed decisions and offering emotional support.
Outside of work, Jhigh is a dedicated husband, father and grandfather, serving as an Elder in his church to give back and mentor younger generations. With his dedication, leadership, and comprehensive approach, Jhigh contributes to the firm's mission of exceptional support during challenging times.
A fine job. With deep gratitude and respect for this place.