By the 7^th grade Mrs. Beauford knew she would eventually be in business for herself, "God prepared me for this journey." And by high school she’d received her answer. She wanted to be a Funeral Director. Mrs. Beauford attended and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Social Work degree that has allowed her to understand and work with people in stressful situations. The funeral business was traditionally a male-dominated business sector and after discovering how difficult it was for women to break into the industry, Mrs. Beauford was able to find an internship with Terry Funeral Home.

After working a grueling schedule for 1 year, maintaining the 40 hr work week required for the internship and a 40 hr per week post office job to support her child and home Mrs. Beauford received her license in September 2004. In 2006, after spending 3 years at Terry Funeral Home and sharing space with Walter E. Sabbath Funeral Home her dream was finally realized. The doors to the Ervina White Beauford Funeral Svc were officially opened in April 2006, with a grand opening that was attended by over 90 people. Mrs. Beauford operates her funeral services in the community to offer people an alternative to long travel times and outdated practices. Her services include pre-planning from last wishes, to payment plans. She also offers funerals, vaults, cremation services, pet loss, invitations, burial jewelry, burial clothing, flower arrangements, and a showroom showcasing examples of the work that she has done, including caskets and urns that look more like art than last remains, all tastefully done and available for personalization. Mrs. Beauford also has a chapel on the property that is a beautiful and bright place to pay your respects.

As she grew in the funeral service business she began to notice disconnects in its operation and its ability to grow and meet the changing needs of customers. The lack of education, integrity, choices, and technological savvy in the field was still a problem with some community owned funeral providers.

Mrs. Beauford preaches and lives by compassion, technological relevance, and the importance of having a comfortable and professional funeral experience as her keys to success, "That’s why I am here, to educate and put things in perspective." Mrs. Beauford has taken every opportunity to do that, from her Sunday radio show on WURD 900 AM, from 4:30-5pm, to the startup of a diabetes support group. In her own life she made it her priority to be educated, and she educates all her clients. "I like to be the WAWA of funeral homes-you should be offered everything." It’s this kind of education, integrity, and work ethic that has kept Mrs. Beauford in the business of people.