OUR TEAM
Family Owned and Operated
A funeral requires a detail-conscious team – a team that predicts the need and handles it before ever made aware! We have assimilated one of the most talented, compassionate, highly skilled and innovative teams you could find in the funeral home industry or otherwise. We invite you to read our stories and hope you find yourself inspired to meet us.
Tycke Williams
Owner, Funeral Director
“The funeral home is one of the most familiar places to me. As a child, it was commonplace for my cousins and I to play hide-n-go-seek in the mortuary our aunts operated.” Tycke Williams was born and raised in Lawrence, Kansas. His mother and father, Irene and James “Bud” Williams propelled him towards his natural talents – basketball and football. While a young athletic star and history-maker, he went on to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps and became a barber. Desiring to provide for his wife and four children in a greater way, he found himself in the construction field. While dedicated and committed to his job, something was missing – passion.
Going back to his roots, he decided to enroll in the School of Mortuary Arts in Kansas City, Kansas, graduating summa cum laude. His destiny would forever be changed. He spent the next decade and a half sharpening his skills as an embalmer and funeral director. His adeptness with detail, restorative arts and embalming has served thousands in the Topeka, Lawrence and Kansas City areas. His warmth and friendliness bode him well in the business of compassion. In his free time, you might find Tycke swinging a club at the golf course, sitting in the bleachers watching the Jayhawks, fishing or spending time with his family.
Charles Cofield, Jr.
Owner, Funeral Director
Charles Cofield is whom you would call a natural born leader. The oldest of five sisters and one brother, Charles innately understands what it means to truly take care of people. Kansas City born and raised, Charles' only option was to lead. His lineage is held strong by the esteemed Cofield pastors of Kansas City. While passionate about sports and drums as a youngster, he found himself migrating towards the ministry. Working in juvenile corrections, he discovered his passion for mentoring youth, leading him to the job as youth pastor at his church. Soon after, he met Joy and married the love of his life. After his son and daughter were born, Charles’ father in-law, Frederick Phillips, inspired curiosity in the funeral home industry and would ultimately usher Charles into becoming an embalmer and funeral director.
Charles has served the Topeka and surrounding areas for over 15 years as an embalmer and funeral director. He is a perfectionist when it comes to the art of embalming and his work is lauded outstanding in his field. He and his wife regularly attend their son Keaton’s football games. Keaten will join the Washburn University football team in the fall of 2015. Charles also enjoys taking time with his family, traveling, giving back to the community and listening to jazz. “I follow God and do my best to show up where He wants me!” – Charles
Tyson Williams
Director of Marketing & Innovation
Known for his talents as a pianist and songwriter, Tyson Williams never imagined his paths would cross with the funeral business, other than having a dad who is a mortician. The son of Tycke and Dylyn Williams, Tyson pursued music throughout his formative years, learning to play several instruments, winning awards and honors and ultimately traveling to London and Paris to play piano. Moving to Minneapolis, Minnesota, he furthered his education in music, receiving his bachelors of arts in composition and music business. His musical endeavors include working with Jerome Benton and Terry Lewis as music director for stage plays, both in the US and cruise liners in the Bahamas; founding his own contemporary neo-soul/R&B; band; teaching and so much more. Alongside music, Tyson pursued another passion of his – real estate. His keen sense for business and marketing developed as a result of selling real estate and learning the ins and outs of marketing and sales.
On his birthday in 2014, Tyson received news the vision his dad talked about was now a reality. Jumping in feet first, Tyson is helping to see the dream to manifestation. “I live and operate in the realm of creativity, innovation and passion. I constantly try to push the wall over and ponder what could be, what could exist. So for me, it isn’t as much about the funeral business or operating in any one particular realm - it’s about changing the game and creating a brand that challenges the norms. The foundational practice of Peaceful Rest Funeral Chapel is built on the grounds of innovation, and that’s where my talent lies. That’s what I’m here to do!”
Dylyn Williams
Owner, Director of Operations
Dylyn Williams is the woman who helps make the system run behind the scenes. She also partners with Joy Cofield as the female leaders of Peaceful Rest Funeral Chapel, endeavoring to reach the community. The wife of Tycke Williams, she innovates system and manages process. Dylyn was born in Abilene, Texas and raised in Lawrence, Kansas. The oldest of five children, family has always been a huge part of her life. After high school, she pursued cosmetology school and worked in a salon where she’d eventually meet Tycke. After raising her children, Dylyn went back to school. Graduating magna cum laude in her class, she earned a bachelors of science in business management with an emphasis in sales and marketing. Her business acumen proves to be invaluable today. “In our early years, Tycke would stop by the funeral home his aunts ran, which was quite a creepy place to me. I never wanted to spend much time there. I never could've imagined I’d own and operate a funeral home myself. It goes to show that prejudice rarely survives experience. The more you get used to something, the more it becomes commonplace in your life.”
Joy Cofield
Owner, Director of Community Engagement
When you meet Joy, you’re drawn by her charisma and her style. One of five children in her family, Joy was raised in Kansas City, Kansas where she completed all of her schooling. Joy fell in love with her high school sweetheart, Charles Cofield and eventually they would become husband and wife. After getting married, Joy and Charles became mother and father to their son, Keaton, and daughter, Kennedy. “My greatest passion and mission in life is being mom and raising my children.” While her family is most important, her reach to women and community tethers closely behind. Joy is driven by her heart for empowering women and changing lives. Speaking, praying, encouraging, connecting and beautifying women is most fulfilling and allows her to shines as an individual. Joy currently works in finance and operates a makeup business on the side. When she’s not working, she’s traveling, watching sports or spending time with her husband and family.
Monice K. Crawford
Client Experience Specialist
Monice K. Crawford is your Client Experience Specialist. She joined the Peaceful Rest Funeral Chapel team at its conception as a result of her creativity, extreme professionalism and her robust training with managing people and experience. It is her privilege to design creative and unique themes for a loved one’s Celebration of Life event, centered around their passions, hobbies, favorite colors and all that’s interesting and unique to their life. It is her desire to create memories that would last a lifetime for our client-families. Monice is a Certified 8 to Great Power and Life Coach and an Empowerment and Motivational Speaker conducting activities, seminars and workshops for youth, women, parents and civic/religious organizations and corporations. She holds a license as a Lay Speaker of the Midwest Annual Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and serves as Chaplain for the Topeka Chapter of The Link’s Inc., as well as Chair of its Health and Human Services facet. Monice is the CEO/Founder of a non-profit Women’s Spiritual Formation Group – SIS (Sisters In Solidarity), Inc. SIS has been in existence since 2006 and is designed to affirm, encourage, nurture and support women. SIS purposely sets out to take an active part in the community to encourage and promote abundant living. Monice is currently the Manager of Training and Volunteer Support of NE Kansas/ NW Missouri Girl Scouts – Western Region. Monice’s roots are in Topeka. She is the one of two daughters and the proud mother of two exceptional young men. She loves traveling, fitness, dining and so much more.
Alicia Barber
Administrative Coordinator
Alicia Barber epitomizes a “get it done” personality! Born the only girl, with five brothers surrounding her, it was not hard for her to express herself amongst the others. Educated in the Topeka Public Schools, her name became synonymous with track star. She is a national track and field record holder for the 100, 200 and long jump events. While a track star, she also held the crown of high school queen of the courts and played basketball for the Kansas State Championship Team. Alicia has not stopped adding successes to her name. She is mother of two beautiful children, a licensed minister, a blogger and a self-published author of a novel and a children’s book. Her passion rests in the creative arts where she spends time creating greeting cards, sewing and designing. She also enjoys walking, biking, spending time with family and friends and reading the word of God.
Lee Triplett
Pre-Planning Specialist
Chicago-born and the only son of four children, Lee Triplett is a man of compassion, teaching and leadership. His roots in Chicago are strongly planted in basketball and music. After relocating to Topeka, Kansas, Mr. Triplett attended Washburn Trade School and became an operating engineer. Alongside this position, Lee followed the voice in his heart and became an ordained minister. He founded Zion Tabernacle Church, an affiliate of Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. His passion to touch community lead him to broadcast weekly services on several radio stations. While ministry has always been a huge part of his life, entrepreneurship and business fall closely behind. In 2008, Triplett Insurance was established. While a one-man operation, he has managed to forge prosperous relationships with local and national insurance companies. His more recent business opportunity was forged in 2014 when he partnered with Peaceful Rest Funeral Chapel as a pre-planning specialist. “We provide peace-of-mind by planning ahead for end-of-life celebrations, ultimately removing burdensome anxiety and stress. Pre-planning allows adequate time to prepare important details that shouldn’t be overlooked. In the same light, loved ones are afforded their voice before the end comes.” A father of five and his beautiful wife, Willetta, by his side, Triplett finds himself blessed beyond measure. His passion for the saxophone, basketball and teaching the Word of God shape his world.