Association News

On Wednesday, February 20, 2008 a dedication and unveiling ceremony was held at the newly named “William C. March Middle School. The school formerly known as Harford Heights Middle School received famed recognition when the Board of Education renamed the school after the late William C. March, a man known for his philanthropic contribution to education.

The March Family, owners of “March Funeral Homes, Inc., were joined by Stephanie Rowling-Blake, President of Baltimore City Council; George M. Van Hook, Sr., Board Commissioner: Baltimore City Public School System; two of the very first Thelma March Scholarship recipients, Mr. Donald Glover and Rev. Cobi Little, along with more than 100 guest joined in celebrating this historic occasion.

William C. March grew up in poverty on the Eastside of Baltimore. Forced to drop out of school to find work to support his family and help his sister Thelma attend college, he attended night school at Dunbar and Douglass High Schools to earn his high school diploma.

In World War II, he was one of the first American soldiers to lead the invasion of Europe, on the beaches of Normandy, France. He attained the rank of Master Sergeant and was responsible for coordinating truck convoys to supply munitions for soldiers fighting on the front line.

After the war, with the support of his wife, Julia Roberta March, he attended Mortuary Science School in New York City. Unable to find work as an Apprentice Mortician, he began working for the U.S. Postal Service. After obtaining his license to practice the art of embalming and funeral directing, he opened his first funeral business in a small row house on East North Avenue.

William and Roberta became known throughout the Baltimore area for their compassion in helping poor families bury their loved ones. The March Funeral Homes grew into one of the largest African American owned funeral service companies in the United States. Mr. March also founded on of the nation’s largest black owned cemeteries, King Memorial Park.

As one of Baltimore’s most successful black businessmen, Mr. March became extremely active in the Baltimore community. He was a founder of Maryland’s first minority owned bank, The Harbor Bank of Maryland, and helped restore the historic Orchard Street Church, A Landmark of the Underground Railroad.

William C. March believed that a good education was the foundation of achieving one’s goals in life. He provided tuition and training for more than forty individuals to become funeral directors. In tribute to his deceased sister, he established the Thelma March Scholarship Foundation to help students from Dunbar and Douglass attend college.

William C. March was a firm believer that the power of education changes lives and that the William C. March Middle School that bears his name will continue his legacy of empowering our children. The March Family is committed to continue his legacy by assisting the faculty and helping the students obtain a quality education and work towards achieving their dreams.

We take pride in all of his achievements, but we are most proud of his charitable spirit to help others. 

NFD&MA Member, Mr. Roy Goodson of Alabama is the winner of the 2008 Mercedes Benz giveaway sponsored by the 100 Black Men of Dekalb County, Georgia. Goodson won the vehicle after purchasing raffle tickets from NFD&MA member of 100 Black Men Dekalb Chapter President, Mr. Gregory B. Levett, Sr. Another raffle will be done this year at the NFD&MA Board of Directors Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia.

We have a client who is actively seeking the acquisition of a large funeral home or chain of funeral homes and we are contacting you to see if you would be able to give us some help in locating a company that might be available.

If you don’t know of an available company possibly you could put a notice in your membership publication concerning our client’s interest in buying a company.

Our client has the funds available to make the largest of acquisitions and will be paying our fee. We are sure that if you or any of your members know of a company that might be available, they would appreciate the opportunity of talking with our client.

Sincerely, Charles Peterson - President

Fundamental Research, Inc. 402 Indian St. Cherokee, IA 51012 Phone (712) 225-5992 Fax (712) 225-592

Congratulations to NFD&MA Vice- President and President/CEO of Terry Funeral Home, Inc. Gregory T. Burrell on his recent appointment to serve on the Pennsylvania State Board of Funeral Directors. Mr. Burrell will be the first African-American to serve on the State Board of Funeral Directors in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in over 20 years. He was nominated by Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell and confirmed by the Pennsylvania State Senate on December 12, 2007. He will serve a 5 year term as a member of the Pennsylvania State Board of Funeral Directors.

The State Board of Funeral Directors regulates the licensure and practice of funeral directors in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Board’s functions include the formation of necessary rules and regulations for the proper conduct of the business or profession of funeral directing in order to safeguard the interests of the pubic and the standards of the profession. “I am excited at the opportunity that I have to help regulate this industry in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. However, I am even more excited about the idea of being a voice for and have representation from the African-American community”.

Please send Greg a note or email to congratulate him on this appointment. 

Look out for the next issue of the SCOPE. Send in your articles and stories about what’s going on in your funeral home, cemetery and your community. Send all information to thescope@nfdma.com

Our Sick and Shut In Members and Friends

59th National Past President, Charles L. Harrison sends his thanks to all of you who sent the many cards, calls and concerns during his illness. He is recuperating at home and still undergoing some medical treatments. He and his wife Adriana ask that you continue to lift him in your prayers. Mrs. Harrison also asks that we all become healthy in 2008! - Harrison’s Funeral Home Inc., Orange Mound Chapel 2647 Carnes Avenue Memphis, TN 38114 Phone: 901-452-7331 Fax: 901-452-7323

Jesse O. Byrd Sanders - Recovering from heart surgery performed in October, 2007 - Well Wishes Address: Sanders-Thompson Funeral Service P.O. Box 622 1235 S. Bell Street Clinton, SC 29325 Phone:(864)883-0271 Fax:(864)833-2500

Elois Wyche Saucer, CFSP - Surgery – January 2008 Recuperating at Home - Well Wishes Address: Alfonso Dawson & Son Mortuary, Inc. 3000 M. L. King, Jr. Drive, SW Atlanta, GA 30311 Phone: (404) 691-3810 Fax: (404) 699-1366 www.dawsonmortuary.com

V. Burney Stone (Life Member) - Well Wishes Address: V. Burney Stone Funeral Home 2123-25 N. 22nd Street Philadelphia, PA 19121 Phone: (215) 228-2217 Fax: (215) 765-3479

A. L. Mitchell (Life Member) Father of association member Rosalind Mitchell, of Mitchell & Fair Funeral Service, Salisbury, NC continues to convalesce at The Laurels of Salisbury. Well Wishes Address: A. L. Mitchell The Laurels of Salisbury 215 Lash Drive Salisbury, NC 28147

Kuline W. Miller Open heart surgery – January 28, 2008 Wife of member, Robert W. C. Miller of Miller Funeral Service in Lewes, DE Well - Wishes Address: Miller Funeral Services 19 Autumnwood Way Chapel Green Lewes, DE 19958 (302) 424-1400

38th National Past President Mrs. June McLaurin Jeffers of McLaurin Funeral Home in Reidsville, NC. Please continue to lift her up in prayer, her son Ashton indicates that she is getting stronger and beginning to move around more, but not 100%. Well Wishes Address: McLaurin Funeral Home 721 E. Morehead Street, PO Box 456 Reidsville, NC 27323 Phone: 336-349-8286 Fax: 336-342-4706

AROUND the STATES

GEORGIA

Dana Lemon

Lemon re-elected to State Transportation Board - McDonough businesswoman earns second 5-year term - ATLANTA – Dana Lemon of Henry County was re-elected to the State Transportation Board Friday by a caucus of state senators and representatives from the 13th Congressional District. This is the second term on the board for Lemon, who was first elected in 2003, and became the first woman ever elected to serve on the Board. Lemon serves on the Board’s Consultant Services, Equal Access, Finance, Intermodal and Public-Private Initiatives Committees. She will continue her service with a five-year term that begins with the April board meeting. A graduate of Davidson College, Lemon owns W.D. Lemon & Sons Funeral Home in McDonough. She has an extensive background in business that includes program implementation and budget oversight. She has been instrumental in the prioritization of major projects within her district and is an advocate of alternative transportation modes in Georgia. She is a member of the New Life Community Ministries Board of Directors, New Life Baptist Church in Dekalb County, plays tennis with the Atlanta Lawn and Tennis Association (ALTA), and is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority – Psi Alpha Omega Chapter. She is a co-host on the weekly cable talk show, Perspective. “Thank you for this honor. I am humbled and honored and I thank you for your trust,” Lemon told the 13th District legislators. The Georgia Department of Transportation is governed by the State Transportation Board. Its 13 members, representing each of the state’s Congressional Districts, exercise general control and supervision of the Department. Each member serves a five-year term and the terms are staggered. Board members are elected by the state representatives and senators whose state districts fall within the Congressional District, whether it's all of their District or just a portion.

Congratulations are in order for NFD&MA 51st Past President Gregory B. Levett, Sr. and his wife Betty H. Levett for their outstanding contributions to their community of Dekalb County. Greg and Betty wanted to make a difference in their community, a community that believed in them and trusted them during the challenging times of their lives. As they thought of ways to demonstrate their gratitude, they made a substantial contribution to the Dekalb Medical Center at Hillandale. The gift was sponsoring the Emergency Department Reception Area at the medical facility. In a dedication ceremony held on Sunday, July 22, 2007 to unveil the new reception area, the Levett’s were honored with life like portraits of themselves that will be displayed the medical centers Hall of Fame. Also the Emergency Department Reception Area was named The Gregory B. Levett, Sr. and Betty H. Levett Reception Area. The Levett’s were joined by a host of business associates, colleagues and friends at the unveiling and reception that followed the program. Click Here to View Photo Gallery

SOUTH CAROLINA

Members of the Gillison Branch Baptist Church invite you to attend the Installation Service of NFD&MA and South Carolina Morticians Association member, the Elder Raymond. Hamilton. Pastor Elect Hamilton will receive this honor in a celebration on Sunday, March 9, 2008 at the Gillison Branch Baptist Church located at 4951 Calf Pen Bay Road in Pineland, South Carolina. The Installation Service will begin at 4:00pm and will be held in the main Sanctuary. A pre installation concert will take place on Saturday, March 8, 2008 at 6:00pm also to be held at the Church. For more information or to send Elder Hamilton a congratulations note, please call Sister Roslyn Simmons at 843-726-6917 or Pastor Elect Raymond J. Hamilton at 843-726-5977.

It’s a great day in the Canty house in South Carolina. Please congratulate this dynamic duo Father/Daughter team as one family receives two doctorates.

The Rev. Dr. Ralph W. Canty, Sr. and his daughter Dr. Serena Canty McCoy both recently received their doctorate degrees, his in ministry and hers in education. Going back to school is not easy but the Canty’s make it happen. Rev. Canty, a former state representative, Past NFD&MA Chaplain, director of Job’s Mortuary and longtime pastor of Savannah Grove Baptist Church and his daughter Serena prove that age has no limit to obtaining a doctorate degree and that a desire to continue learning runs in this family’s blood. Canty 61, received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Hood Theological Seminary, based in Salisbury, N.C. on May 12, 2006. And it was on December 16, 2006 that his daughter, 36 received her Doctor of Education degree from South Carolina State University in Orangeburg. “I feel really delighted,” Canty said of the accomplishments. “Serena, of course, is at the front end of her career.” “Though he is nearing the end of his, he said, obtaining his doctorate is the “fulfillment of a lifelong pursuit.”

TENNESSEE

Congratulations to NFD&MA members John P. Franklin Sr. and Jr. on the opening of their new funeral home in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The funeral home is officially open for business as of February, 4, 2008. The Franklins moved their ownership from the Franklin-Strickland Funeral Directors on McCallie Avenue in Chattanooga to a new firm located at 1101 Dodds Avenue, the former home of Turner Funeral Home a white establishment that located to another area of the city. John Franklin, Sr. says “This is a great opportunity for us. My son John, Jr and daughter Cheryl will assist in the day-to-day operation of the funeral home”. “Other than a few minor touches to the building and getting our sign up, we are ready for business.”

The official grand opening is scheduled for March 2008. To contact them please call 423-622-9995.

NFD&MA member firm the Franklin-Strickland Funeral Home, in Chattanooga, Tennessee held a Dedication Service in honor of former owner, NFD&MA Life Member and Epsilon Nu Delta Member, Mr. Reuben Strickland.  In a well attended ceremony held at the funeral home on Monday, October 29, 2007, The Reuben Strickland Memorial Chapel was dedicated. Community leaders turned out for the day long event including NFD&MA members, Fred and Mamie Garrett, President-Elect Ernest Adams, members Wendell Naylor and Cedric Collins. Executive Director, Sharon Seay was also in attendance. Reuben’s daughter, Christi Poston thanked everyone for coming to share in the dedication on behalf of her father.