Kris Rhodes
Funeral Director In Charge & Preneed Specialist
Kris Rhodes grew up and attended schools in Clear Lake City (Houston) for 12 years before moving to Mexia, TX for her senior year and graduating high school in 1991. She graduated Baylor University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health, Human Performance, and Recreation with a minor in Gerontology, while also working full time at Regis/St. Elizabeth nursing home.
In 1995 Kris and Scott Rhodes married, and Kris spent over 26 years assisting in Scott's youth ministry, and continues as he transitions into the role of Pastor for Golinda Baptist Church. The couple have two sons, who both attended and graduated from Midway schools. Kris was fortunate enough to be a stay at home mom for 15 years.
As a young adult, after attending a funeral, Kris was drawn to the organizational aspects of the funeral business. Later on, several classes at Baylor sparked her interest in death care. However, it was while assisting her mother in the funeral arrangements for members of her own family that her desire to be an advocate for families in their times of need began to grow.
In 2015 she joined the Grace Gardens family as a funeral assistant and her calling into funeral work blossomed. In 2017 she earned her funeral director’s license from Commonwealth Institute in Houston, and became a full time funeral director, allowing her to live out her greatest passion of serving others. She was named manager and Funeral Director in Charge in 2019.
Kris’s goal is to really hear and connect with families helping them create the meaningful experience they need when a loved one passes. She seeks to be creative and innovative, and strives to offer love and care to all. To Kris, it is her ministry, not her job. Her philosophy is “No ask is too small or too big, there is a reason it was asked, and we need to make it happen.”
Kris Rhodes
Funeral Director In Charge & Preneed Specialist
Kris Rhodes grew up and attended schools in Clear Lake City (Houston) for 12 years before moving to Mexia, TX for her senior year and graduating high school in 1991. She graduated Baylor University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health, Human Performance, and Recreation with a minor in Gerontology, while also working full time at Regis/St. Elizabeth nursing home.
In 1995 Kris and Scott Rhodes married, and Kris spent over 26 years assisting in Scott's youth ministry, and continues as he transitions into the role of Pastor for Golinda Baptist Church. The couple have two sons, who both attended and graduated from Midway schools. Kris was fortunate enough to be a stay at home mom for 15 years.
As a young adult, after attending a funeral, Kris was drawn to the organizational aspects of the funeral business. Later on, several classes at Baylor sparked her interest in death care. However, it was while assisting her mother in the funeral arrangements for members of her own family that her desire to be an advocate for families in their times of need began to grow.
In 2015 she joined the Grace Gardens family as a funeral assistant and her calling into funeral work blossomed. In 2017 she earned her funeral director’s license from Commonwealth Institute in Houston, and became a full time funeral director, allowing her to live out her greatest passion of serving others. She was named manager and Funeral Director in Charge in 2019.
Kris’s goal is to really hear and connect with families helping them create the meaningful experience they need when a loved one passes. She seeks to be creative and innovative, and strives to offer love and care to all. To Kris, it is her ministry, not her job. Her philosophy is “No ask is too small or too big, there is a reason it was asked, and we need to make it happen.”
Samantha Baldridge
Assistant Manager, Funeral Director & Embalmer, Preneed Specialist
Samantha was born and raised in Axtell, Texas. She graduated from Baylor University with a degree in anthropology and a concentration in forensic science, all while working as a private caregiver in the Waco area.
After attending a funeral service for a family member at Grace Gardens, Sam felt a calling to serve others through the funeral profession. She began her journey as a funeral assistant, and following the passing of her father in 2022, she felt an even deeper sense of purpose to continue serving families during life’s most tender moments.
Sam graduated from Commonwealth Institute in Houston, Texas, and has earned her licenses in both Funeral Directing and Embalming. In September of 2025, she married, beginning an exciting new chapter in her personal life alongside her professional calling.
Known as the glue that holds the team together, Sam brings innovation, creativity, and technological expertise to Grace Gardens, strengthening both daily operations and the care provided to every family served.
Samantha Baldridge
Assistant Manager, Funeral Director & Embalmer, Preneed Specialist
Samantha was born and raised in Axtell, Texas. She graduated from Baylor University with a degree in anthropology and a concentration in forensic science, all while working as a private caregiver in the Waco area.
After attending a funeral service for a family member at Grace Gardens, Sam felt a calling to serve others through the funeral profession. She began her journey as a funeral assistant, and following the passing of her father in 2022, she felt an even deeper sense of purpose to continue serving families during life’s most tender moments.
Sam graduated from Commonwealth Institute in Houston, Texas, and has earned her licenses in both Funeral Directing and Embalming. In September of 2025, she married, beginning an exciting new chapter in her personal life alongside her professional calling.
Known as the glue that holds the team together, Sam brings innovation, creativity, and technological expertise to Grace Gardens, strengthening both daily operations and the care provided to every family served.
