Staff

Our dedicated staff members are here to provide support, compassion, and information to help you through your journey of grief and the celebration of your loved one’s life.

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Chris Highsmith Owner chrishighsmith@stephens-key.com

Chris Highsmith has been in the funeral business for over 40 years. A 1979 graduate of Welch High School, attended NEO A & M college and the Dallas institute of Funeral Service. He graduated from Dallas Institute of Funeral Service in 1987. Raised on a farm, he enjoyed playing sports, rodeoing and hunting.

Chris began working in the funeral industry as a maintenance man in 1983, and quickly realized he wanted to pursue a career in the profession. He has a genuine love of serving families in need.  His wife Vicki retired from KAMO Power in 2020 and serves as the office manager at Stephens-Key.

His children are Cameron Dennis and husband Sam Sneller of Ohio, along with granddaughters Walela and Indra; Haley Chenoweth and husband Casey of Miami, and son Hunter Highsmith and wife Frances of Tulsa; and favorite pet "Zoey" a yellow lab. 

Chris and Vicki love working and provide a family atmosphere for their employees and the families they serve.  

 

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Shane T. Borum Funeral Director/Embalmer shane@stephens-key.com

Stephens-Key is pleased to announce the return of longtime Pryor resident and funeral director, Shane T. Borum.

Shane originally served as a director at Stephens-Key from 2003 until 2019.  Since that time, he has managed a well-established funeral home in a larger market.  

With nearly thirty years of professional experience, Shane is regarded as a highly skilled and innovative master of his trade.  

Heralded as the last director to ever be entrusted with the teachings of Pryor’s “old guard” funeral lineage, Shane is honored to uphold their legacy by bringing back the traditions of care and standards of excellent service which Stephens-Key was built upon.  

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Shawna Parker Family Relations shawna@stephens-key.com

Shawna is a lifetime resident of Mayes County.  She started her career with Stephens-Key in 2016 and has now returned in the role of Family Relations.  She looks forward to continuing to serve the community she loves.

She has three children, Kobe, Emma and Parker.  In her spare time, she coaches cheerleading and volunteers at her children’s school, William Bradford Christian School in Pryor.

Assisting Funeral Directors Chris Highsmith and Shane T. Borum, Shawna helps in organizing and facilitating individualized funeral services and/or celebration of life services for each families loved one.  Tailoring memorial goods, obituaries and video tributes that reflect the special moments of love and joy the families shared are some of the things she will help provide.

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Parker Ballard Funeral Assistant parker@stephens-key.com

Parker began working with the Stephens-Key family in 2021. He is a currently the Athletic Director for Salina Public Schools and holds a Master's Degree in Business Administration.

Parker is often times the first person that families will have contact with when he is making and assisting with first calls at our local hospitals and homes. He is an excellent ambassador for Stephens-Key and loved by the families we serve. We are grateful he has chosen to be part of our work family.

In his personal time, Parker is the father to a precious eight year-old daughter, Koy. He loves horses, has a mowing business and loves to spend time with friends listening to live music and traveling.

Chris Highsmith

Owner
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Chris Highsmith has been in the funeral business for over 40 years. A 1979 graduate of Welch High School, attended NEO A & M college and the Dallas institute of Funeral Service. He graduated from Dallas Institute of Funeral Service in 1987. Raised on a farm, he enjoyed playing sports, rodeoing and hunting.

Chris began working in the funeral industry as a maintenance man in 1983, and quickly realized he wanted to pursue a career in the profession. He has a genuine love of serving families in need.  His wife Vicki retired from KAMO Power in 2020 and serves as the office manager at Stephens-Key.

His children are Cameron Dennis and husband Sam Sneller of Ohio, along with granddaughters Walela and Indra; Haley Chenoweth and husband Casey of Miami, and son Hunter Highsmith and wife Frances of Tulsa; and favorite pet "Zoey" a yellow lab. 

Chris and Vicki love working and provide a family atmosphere for their employees and the families they serve.  

 

Shane T. Borum

Funeral Director/Embalmer
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Stephens-Key is pleased to announce the return of longtime Pryor resident and funeral director, Shane T. Borum.

Shane originally served as a director at Stephens-Key from 2003 until 2019.  Since that time, he has managed a well-established funeral home in a larger market.  

With nearly thirty years of professional experience, Shane is regarded as a highly skilled and innovative master of his trade.  

Heralded as the last director to ever be entrusted with the teachings of Pryor’s “old guard” funeral lineage, Shane is honored to uphold their legacy by bringing back the traditions of care and standards of excellent service which Stephens-Key was built upon.  

Shawna Parker

Family Relations
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Shawna is a lifetime resident of Mayes County.  She started her career with Stephens-Key in 2016 and has now returned in the role of Family Relations.  She looks forward to continuing to serve the community she loves.

She has three children, Kobe, Emma and Parker.  In her spare time, she coaches cheerleading and volunteers at her children’s school, William Bradford Christian School in Pryor.

Assisting Funeral Directors Chris Highsmith and Shane T. Borum, Shawna helps in organizing and facilitating individualized funeral services and/or celebration of life services for each families loved one.  Tailoring memorial goods, obituaries and video tributes that reflect the special moments of love and joy the families shared are some of the things she will help provide.

Parker Ballard

Funeral Assistant
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Parker began working with the Stephens-Key family in 2021. He is a currently the Athletic Director for Salina Public Schools and holds a Master's Degree in Business Administration.

Parker is often times the first person that families will have contact with when he is making and assisting with first calls at our local hospitals and homes. He is an excellent ambassador for Stephens-Key and loved by the families we serve. We are grateful he has chosen to be part of our work family.

In his personal time, Parker is the father to a precious eight year-old daughter, Koy. He loves horses, has a mowing business and loves to spend time with friends listening to live music and traveling.