Our Staff

Rev. Napoleon Darnell Smith is the Location Manager at the Strong Thorne Chapel.  He joined the Daniels Family in 2004 and has served in many capacities during this time. 

A native of New Mexico, Rev. Smith was raised in the Southeast part of town, where his family operated several businesses. He is very active in the Albuquerque Community and serves on various committees and volunteers many hours to ministries, the homeless, and the seniors of our community.  He is not only involved in the community through volunteering, he has served as pastor of one of the local churches for the past 31 years.   

Rev. Smith loves his community and the families that he has served throughout the years.  He not only serves them in their time of need, but he is always there ready to aid them in various ways throughout the year. He is inspirational in making sure that Daniels Family Funeral Services stays involved in his community and is involved in their various activities. 

He, like other members of the Daniels team, believes that “Healing Begins Here”, He often says, “this is not just a statement, I live it every day and I make sure that the families that we serve, feel it in their heart”.

Rev. Smith is not just blessed with a caring working family, but he is blessed with a lovely wife, Olesha D. Smith, and four daughters, Nekisha, Donnell, Alisha, and Janell.  Four grandsons.

He believes that Albuquerque is a great place to live and Daniels Family Funeral Services is a great place to work.

Joan or "Joanie" was raised outside of Hatch, NM, "the Chile Capital of the World, "on a farm that has been in her family for several generations. Don't let the title of "Princess," (albeit 1989 Green Chile Princess) mislead you. She is very hardworking and is well known for the loving, compassionate connections she establishes with the families and communities she serves. A diehard UNM Lobo Fan since childhood, she earned a B.S. in Business Administration and began an accounting career with a private hospital. She earned an A.S. in Mortuary Sciences from Amarillo (TX) College. Joan has a deep respect and admiration for those that have served in the US Military, Law Enforcement, Fire Departments, and Emergency Medical Services. "Anyone that chooses to protect our communities, country, and freedom has my deepest respect. I also know that it is an entire family that serves alongside a service member." She is, also our Annual 9/11 Memorial Services Coordinator for the cities of Albuquerque and Rio Rancho. Her attention to detail, patriotism, calming demeanor, sense of humor, and public speaking skills have been nationally recognized. She is known for bringing people and resources together to create a blanket of comfort that helps us all. Her three favorite community service activities are volunteering with the Children's Cancer Fund of NM of which she has been a part of for over 25 years, MADD, and Breast Cancer Awareness. Joan spoils her two dogs like no one else can. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, cooking, and attending sporting events.

Ray was born and raised in Albuquerque, NM, he graduated from Del Norte High School in 1995, he is married to his lovely wife Kimberley and together they have five children and one grandson. His parents are Norbert and Patricia “Patsy” Baldonado who are also natives of Albuquerque and are in the Funeral Profession. 

Ray has been in the funeral industry since he was 14 years old working alongside his parents and has been licensed with the New Mexico Board of Thantopatrice since 1996 and has always taken great pride in serving our community. These were his mother’s stomping grounds when she was growing up. It gives him great joy when he runs into friends or neighbors who know his parents. Ray is a member of the Knights of Columbus and of the Hispano Chamber of Commerce. He enjoys getting involved in community events and is also an avid outdoorsman.