KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A Knoxville woman has been waiting for months to have a mistake corrected on a death certificate.

Patty Graybeal’s stepson died on April 2, 2023. She took action to correct the mistake, but the long delay slowed down settling the estate. An amendment to the death certificate was sent to the Tennessee Office of Vital Records more than three months ago.

A death certificate is a vital record that documents the end of a person’s life and is equally as important as a birth certificate. Some would actually say the death certificate is even more important given that it is needed to manage an estate and financial affairs. That means accuracy is extremely important when it comes to death certificates.

Shawn Talbert died unexpectedly at 42 in April 2023.

“I cry every single day over my son being gone. In my heart, he is my son,” said Graybeal.

Talbert, who was single, lived with his stepmother in this mobile home in Powell for years.

“It is hard getting through losing a child. He was not my biological child. But I have known Shawn since he was nine years old. He always wanted me to be his mom, so I could teach him how to do things,” said Graybeal.

Talbert’s remains were handled by Dogwood Cremation in Powell. His death certificate was completed eight days after he died and sent to the state. However, it had a mistake. It listed Graybeal as Talbert’s mother instead of his biological mother.

On a draft copy of what was to appear on the certificate, two names were written down under mother, Pat Graybeal and Della Stapleton, Talbert’s biological mother.

“They had asked the father’s name. I gave them the father’s name. They had asked the mother’s name. I gave them Della Stapleton’s name and quoted to them that I was the stepmother,” said Graybeal.

Talbert’s 2006 Hyundai is parked in front of Graybeal’s house. Legally, she can’t drive it until the death certificate is corrected.

Stapleton, Talbert’s biological mother who lives out of state, is named on an insurance policy of Talbert’s. However, the mistake prevents her from collecting it.

In Tennessee to amend a death certificate, the application may be made by the next of kin or the informant listed on the death certificate, in this case Graybeal, or the person acting as such who submitted the death certificate. Once the mistake was caught, Graybeal called Dogwood Cremation.

“They got a hold of the state of Tennessee. It took months for the state of Tennessee to get back with them. I had to sign the amendment. I signed the amendment,” said Graybeal.

The amendment to the original certificate was signed in mid-December 2023.

“I was then told I’d have a death certificate within two weeks to two months. It has been past two months,” said Graybeal. “I have emailed [the Office of Vital Records]. They have not responded to three emails that I have sent them.”

Graybeal continues to mourn for her stepson and wants this issue behind her.

“Shawn was very important to me. I would like to have some closure,” said Graybeal. “I just want it resolved so I can move forward with my life.”

Like everything in life, mistakes can happen when a death certificate is created. In this case, the mistake was unintentional and procedures were followed to make the correction. So why is it taking so long to change a name? We contacted the state, and they are checking into it.