Debra Crotty’s story is one of resilience, faith, and an unwavering heart for others.

As a teenager, she moved to Temple alongside her mother, Shirley Reed—a devoted nurse and the former owner of Shirley’s Diner, a place that served not just meals, but community. From an early age, Debra learned the value of hard work and caring for people, lessons that would quietly shape the course of her life.

In 1984, she graduated from Temple Beauty School and began her career as a cosmetologist. While working at JCPenney Hair Salon, she found herself drawn into the funeral profession by providing hair services for local funeral homes. What began as a small connection quickly became something more meaningful—a calling.

As a young mother to her three-year-old daughter, Jarrah, Debra made a brave and life-changing decision. Wanting to build a better future for them both, she moved to Dallas to pursue a career in funeral service. In 1996, she graduated from the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service as a licensed funeral director and embalmer—entering a field that was, at the time, overwhelmingly male-dominated. Her determination and strength carried her forward.

Debra began her professional journey at Restland Funeral Home in Dallas before returning home to Central Texas, where her roots—and her heart—had always been. There, she quickly rose through the ranks, serving and leading at several respected funeral homes, including Harper-Talasek, Sheffield Funeral Home, Heritage Funeral Home, Killeen Memorial, and Waco Memorial. Her leadership, compassion, and work ethic eventually led her to serve as a General Manager for SCI/Dignity Memorial, overseeing multiple locations including Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Temple, Condra Funeral Home in Taylor, and Bartlett Funeral Home.

But Debra wasn’t just building a career—she was building a vision.

In 2011, alongside her daughter Jarrah, she took a leap of faith and opened Crotty Funeral Home & Cremation Services. Drawing from decades of experience, she combined the very best of what she had learned with something even more powerful—her personal mission to care for families with genuine compassion, dignity, and love.

Debra’s heart has always belonged to children and those in need. As a longtime foster parent, she has opened her home—and her life—to countless children. She is the proud mother of five adopted children—Christina, Jennifer, Levi, Daxton, and Kia—and has helped raise many others along the way. To her, family has never been defined by blood alone, but by love, sacrifice, and presence.

That same heart is the foundation of Crotty Funeral Home. It’s why the family has made a profound commitment: to never profit from services for children. Instead, they provide meaningful, personalized services at an affordable cost—because Debra believes that every life, no matter how small, deserves to be honored with beauty and dignity.

Through her life’s work, Debra Crotty has become more than a funeral director. She is a servant to her community, a mother to many, and a woman whose legacy is built on compassion, strength, and an extraordinary ability to care for others in their most difficult moments.

Jarrah Crotty Gaskins was born in Temple and raised in the heart of Central Texas, where her roots—and her purpose—run deep. As the daughter of Jarrin and Debra Crotty of Belton, Jarrah grew up not just around the funeral profession, but inside the quiet, sacred moments that define it. She witnessed, from a young age, her mother walking alongside grieving families with compassion, strength, and grace—and in those moments, Jarrah found her calling.

She knew early on that this work was not simply a career, but a life devoted to others.

After graduating from Temple High School in 2006 and later from the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service in 2010, Jarrah returned home with a vision. Together, she and her mother opened Crotty Funeral Home & Cremation Services, built on a promise to serve families differently—to slow down, to listen deeply, and to honor every life in a way that is as unique as the person being remembered.

For Jarrah, every service tells a story.

She believes that behind every loss is a life worth celebrating, and she pours her heart into creating meaningful, personalized tributes that reflect not just how someone died, but how they lived. Her work has touched countless families and has even gained national recognition—but for Jarrah, the true reward has always been the quiet thank yous, the hugs, and the trust families place in her during their most vulnerable moments.

Those who know her understand—this is not just what she does, it is who she is.

Jarrah currently serves as President of the South Central Texas Funeral Directors Association and has been honored across the state for her dedication, including being named Young Professional of the Year in Texas in 2020 and receiving recognition from the Texas Funeral Service Association in 2022. In 2018, she and her mother were featured on the cover of National Funeral Director Magazine as the only mother-daughter team in the United States to start their own funeral home—a reflection of both their bond and their shared mission.

At home in Salado, Jarrah finds her greatest joy in her family. She and her husband, Mike Gaskins—owner of Central Texas Mortuary Management—are raising their children, Halston, Isabella, and Hazel, along with their bonus children, Reese and Rhett, with the same values of love, service, and resilience that have shaped her life.

When she’s not serving families, you’ll find her at Crossroads Church in Belton, by the water at the lake, or simply soaking in time with the people she loves most.

Because at the center of everything Jarrah does—both in her work and in her life—is one simple truth:

People matter. Their stories matter. And how we honor them matters.

Heather Petty, a proud Belton, Texas native, serves as an apprentice funeral director and embalmer at Crotty Funeral Home & Cremation Services. With an Associate of Applied Science degree from the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service, Heather wholeheartedly dedicates herself to providing compassionate care to families during their most challenging times.

As a loving mother to her son, Wylder, she deeply understands the significance of family and connection. In her work, Heather is involved in every aspect of funeral service, striving to create heartfelt tributes that celebrate the lives of those we cherish.

When she's not at work, Heather loves to spend quality time with her family, explore new destinations, and enjoy the outdoors. With her commitment to empathy and professionalism, she is excited to support families and build lasting trust at Crotty Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Tony Arline grew up in Virginia. He joined the United States Army in 1991. Over his military career he was stationed all over the United States, Asia, Germany, Korea, and served four tours in Iraq.  He served for over twenty two years and honorably retired.  He has been with Crotty Funeral Home & Cremation Services for over five years. Crotty is the contracted funeral home with Ft. Hood Military Base and he found his passion in being able to still work side by side with fellow soldiers. Tony enjoys having a career that allows him to honor veterans. He is currently attending school to become a funeral director. Tony is the proud father of Tonisha, Tony Jr., and his bonus son, Billy. He is married to Katrina Arline, who is still currently actively serving. Tony enjoys Dallas Cowboy football and spending time with his family. 

Cheyenne Schlitt is a Funeral Director Assistant at Crotty Funeral Home & Cremation Services, where she supports funeral directors with a wide range of responsibilities, from obtaining necessary permits to ensuring day-to-day operations run smoothly. Known for her reliability and compassionate presence, Cheyenne plays a vital role in helping families during their most difficult times.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Studies and an Associate’s degree in Office Management, bringing a unique blend of empathy, organization, and care to her work. With a strong background in both human services and administrative support, Cheyenne is committed to providing respectful, attentive service in every aspect of her role.

Shes the Proud mother of Ikaika , Haven and Elsey Schlitt

Ashlee Bullock, originally from Oklahoma, now calls Belton, Texas home, where she lives with her husband and their two boys. As a dedicated funeral director assistant at Crotty Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Ashlee plays an essential role in serving families with compassion, grace, and quiet strength during life’s most difficult moments.

Known for her hardworking spirit, dependability, and genuine heart for others, Ashlee brings a calming presence to every family she serves. She understands that funeral service is more than a profession—it is a calling to walk alongside families in their time of loss, offering support, dignity, and care when it is needed most. Her attention to detail and heartfelt approach help ensure that each family feels seen, supported, and truly cared for.

Outside of her work, Ashlee finds joy and balance in the simple things. She enjoys playing the saxophone and spending time on her small farm, where the peaceful rhythm of country life reflects the same grounded, nurturing spirit she brings to her role every day.

Ashlee is a valued part of the Crotty family, helping carry forward our mission of serving others with compassion, integrity, and unwavering care.

H.K. Ballard served as minister for almost fifty years in Texas, Oklahoma, Iowa, and Wisconsin. He retired from serving in the ministry for churches in December 2021. H.K. lives in Temple with his wife, Jan. They celebrate their fifty-third wedding anniversary in January 2024. Presently H.K. serves Lifeline Chaplaincy and the Love of Christ food bank as a volunteer. He attended Fort Worth Christian High School, Lubbock Christian College, and Abilene Christian University, and the Brown Trail School of Preaching in Hurst, Texas. Jan and H.K. have six children, and 8 grandchildren, living in California, Colorado, Indiana, Texas and Wisconsin. The summer of 2024 they are expecting their fourth great grandchild.

James Smith has dedicated his life to serving others—with honor, integrity, and unwavering commitment. With 13 years of distinguished service in the United States Army and over a decade as a police officer with the Charleston Police Department in West Virginia, James has spent his career protecting and caring for others in their greatest times of need.

Now retired from law enforcement, James continues that calling in a different way—walking alongside families as a preneed advisor. He has a special heart for veterans and their families, helping them plan ahead with dignity, respect, and the honor they deserve.

James believes that pre-planning is not just preparation—it’s a final act of love. His approach is grounded in compassion, trust, and a deep understanding of service, ensuring every family feels supported, informed, and at peace with their decisions.

Rosa L Hernandez is the 7th child of the late Fred, Jr & San Juana Martinez.  She is native American of Mexican descent born and raised in Bell County.  Rosa graduated from Little River Academy and is an  alumni of Temple Jr College. Her degree is in Allied Health – Medical Record and documentation, She chose this because of her life story. Her faith, family,and friends are the most important things in her life.  She values relationships, the gift of life, and freedom of choice.  

Rosa learned hard work from living on the farm working side by side with her parents and siblings. She learned the art of hospitality from her mother and the gift of giving from her father.  She witnessed the selflessness of her father helping his family, friends, and even strangers in many ways.    

Rosa has served in healthcare for forty two years – her service started with Veterans, then long-term care, home care and hospice. Which showed her the value and how precious life is and the importance of having our final wishes documented. Helping others with this process gave her purpose. 

Her father died suddenly when he was only 58 of a massive stroke on the day her mom had a major surgery. She witnessed him wave to his family and then hours later he was gone.  Her mother didn’t get to attend his funeral and her grieving never stopped. Her dad did not have any plans in place and her family was left to handle all his funeral planning.  She saw first hand what happens without having affairs in order and the stress and burden it places on your family.    

Fast forward to today; Rosa is truly grateful for the opportunity to serve and provide the education and information you need to make your wishes known and in pre-planning funerals and cremation services to save your loved ones from guessing what your wishes would be during a very sad time for them.  

She witnessed the love and compassion Crotty Funeral Home & Cremation Services has for the families they serve and the community. She was asked by the Crottys to help better serve their Hispanic clients and help Central Texas become educated and prepared for the unimaginable. Rosa is proud to be helping her community alongside the Crotty’s.

 Rosa can also host seminars on the importance of pre-planning, living wills,medicaid,   OOH-DNR’s, Durable Power of Attorney’s, and much more to make sure you leave your family with a final gift of love. 

Marilyn Avila has a true heart for service and decades of guiding families through some of life’s most important decisions, she brings unmatched compassion, knowledge, and dedication.

She is also fully bilingual, allowing us to better support and honor all cultures and families across Bell County with clarity, understanding, and comfort during every step of the pre-planning process.

Pre-planning is one of the greatest gifts you can give your family—peace of mind, financial protection, and the assurance that your wishes will be honored. We are proud to expand our team with someone who embodies our values of dignity, respect, and care.

LaRita brings over 18 years of experience in the financial industry, with a true passion for guiding families through some of life’s most important decisions. Born and raised in Bastrop, Texas, and now proud to call Temple home with her husband, Rontrell, of 11 years, LaRita is a devoted wife and mother of two young children. When she’s not serving families, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her family—riding horses, raising goats, traveling, and making lasting memories together.

LaRita holds an MBA with a concentration in Healthcare Administration, where her heart for helping others truly took root. As a licensed insurance professional, she specializes in pre-planning services and is certified in Medicare, life insurance, funeral pre-arrangement insurance, health insurance, supplemental coverage, and retirement planning solutions.

LaRita’s approach is centered on compassion, education, and trust. She believes that pre-planning is one of the greatest gifts you can give your loved ones—providing peace of mind, protection, and clarity during difficult times. With a gentle and understanding approach, she takes pride in helping individuals and families make informed decisions that honor their wishes and protect those they love most.

ibby is Crotty Funeral Home’s beloved Certified Therapy Dog, offering comfort, warmth, and a gentle presence to families during difficult times. Available by request for services, visitations, and community events, Libby has a special way of bringing peace to both children and adults alike.

The Crotty family has been part of Libby’s journey from the very beginning—they were present at her birth and have lovingly guided her through every step of her training. Now five years old, Libby is a certified therapy dog through Go Team Therapy and trained locally at Sit Means Sit in Belton.

As a Goldendoodle, Libby is hypoallergenic and shed-free, making her a perfect companion for families. She is especially loved by children and is often seen bringing smiles at local schools and community events.

When she’s off duty, Libby enjoys lake days, sneaking treats she probably shouldn’t have, soaking up all the attention she can get, and perfecting the art of relaxing.

You can follow Libby’s journey and see her brighten lives every day on Instagram and Facebook @Libby_the_funeraldoodle.

Triton is Libby’s nephew and the newest addition to the Crotty Funeral Home family. At just one year old, he is currently in training and will soon begin his journey of serving families with the same gentle comfort and compassion that Libby provides.

Triton’s story is deeply meaningful. He was lovingly gifted to Jarrah by his breeder during a tender season, while she was on hospice care. The day Triton came home was the same day she passed—a moment that marked both a heartfelt goodbye and a new beginning.

Shortly after, Jarrah was called to Uvalde to assist in caring for families following the unimaginable tragedy. During that time, Libby was by her side, bringing comfort to so many and touching the hearts of both families and fellow funeral directors. From that shared experience, Triton’s littermates found homes with funeral professionals across Texas—each one continuing a mission of compassion, care, and service in their own communities.

As Triton grows and completes his training, he will follow in Libby’s footsteps—offering quiet companionship, warmth, and support to the families we are honored to serve.