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Meet Our Staff


Outstanding Service is Our Priority

The highest level of care starts with the quality staff members who will meet with your family. When you lose someone you love, you need someone who will listen to you and provide a healing and meaningful experience. Our highly qualified staff is ready to assist you throughout this difficult time.


If you are interested in preplanning for your funeral wishes, we invite you to book a meeting with our Preplanning Specialist to learn more about the process and its benefits.

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India Rader Stroope
India Rader Stroope
India Rader Stroope

India is the daughter of the late LeRoy and Bennie Rader, the founders of Rader Funeral Home. Kilgore has been India’s home her entire life with the exception of her college years.  


After the death of her son, Mark, and husband, Vernon Mitchell, she became active as the management of the funeral home.  She and her son J Mitchell continued the family tradition, joining together to lead Rader until J’s passing in January 2024.  


India is truly the matriarch of the family and the business, guiding all to compassionate service in the manner established by her father.

Britt Mitchell
Britt Mitchell
President and Chairman of the Board
Britt Mitchell
President and Chairman of the Board

Britt Parker Mitchell is the son of Penni Parker Mitchell and the late J Mitchell and the grandson of India Rader Stroope.  


Britt grew up in Kilgore, alongside his brother and sister, and although each of them relocated after college, they still call Kilgore home.  


Britt and his wife, Megan, live in the Houston area and are the parents of a daughter and a son. They all enjoy spending time at Lake Cherokee, where they have been completing a remodel of the long-time family lake house.

Chris Norris
Chris Norris
Funeral Director In Charge
Chris Norris
Funeral Director In Charge

Chris has been a licensed funeral director with Rader Funeral Home for many years. The son of the late C.L. Norris and Ruby Whiteside, he was born in Marshall, Texas, and grew up in Kilgore. 


After graduating from Kilgore High School and Kilgore College, Chris attended and graduated from the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service. 


He is past President of the East Texas Funeral Directors Association and past Board Member of the Texas Funeral Directors Association. Chris enjoys spending time with family and friends, hunting, fishing, boating, and ATV trail riding .

 Chris Hachtel
Chris Hachtel
Funeral Director and Embalmer
Chris Hachtel
Funeral Director and Embalmer

Chris has been a member of our staff since August 2007. He was born in Denton, Texas, and grew up in Jacksboro, Texas. 


He is a graduate of Kilgore College and Dallas Institute of Funeral Service, where he received his Funeral Director and Embalmer License. 


Chris married Monica Burkett Hachtel of Kilgore in 2005. They have two children, Jacob and Maddox. He and his family attend Christ the King Catholic Church. He enjoys cooking, hunting, the outdoors, and spending time with family.

 Victoria Brown
Victoria Brown
Funeral Director and Embalmer
Victoria Brown
Funeral Director and Embalmer

Victoria is a Kilgore native and a 2016 graduate of Kilgore High School. She went on to earn her Associates degree from Kilgore College, and then continued her education and received an Associates in Mortuary Science from Northeast Texas Community College. 


Victoria has been a member of the Rader Staff since 2019 and a licensed funeral director and embalmer since 2023. She enjoys spending time with her fur-babies, crafting, and nature.

Alexandra Cole
Alexandra Cole
Funeral Director and Embalmer
Alexandra Cole
Funeral Director and Embalmer

As a native Texan, coming back home to East Texas after living in the Southwest for seven years was just what Alexandra's family needed. While the mountainous desert region had a lot to offer, it did not compare to the peaceful beauty of home in East Texas. 


Alexandra joined the Rader Funeral Home family in July 2023 as a Funeral Director and Embalmer. Her family has found a peaceful haven in this charming town and phenomenal community. 


She believes in God, family, community, and a proper Southern goodbye. Her passion is caring for those who most need uplifting care as they honor and remember the life of their loved one.

Meleah Canon
Meleah Canon
Office Manager
Meleah Canon
Office Manager

Meleah is a Kilgore native and a 2009 graduate of Kilgore High School. She went on to earn her Bachelor’s degree from Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas, and then continued her education and received a Masters from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Meleah married Kevin Canon in 2016 and welcomed their daughter, Penelope, in 2022. 

Debbie McCubbin
Debbie McCubbin
Funeral Assistant
Debbie McCubbin
Funeral Assistant

Debbie was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. She has been a real estate agent for 38 years and a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority for 37 years. 


She is married to Rex McCubbin, and they have three children and two grandsons. They attend Christ the King Catholic Church in Kilgore. Debbie was named First Lady of Kilgore for 2018.  She loves traveling, reading, and spending time watching her grandsons play soccer.

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