Blog 182: A Salute to the Alexander Funeral Home, Inc.

 

A Salute to the
Alexander Funeral Home, Inc.

of Charlotte, NC

Celebrating 100 years of Existence and Service

By Vernon M. Herron, D.M.

     Today, the Charlotte community proudly salutes a noble institution, known as The  Alexander Funeral  Home, Inc. It has been in existence since 1914, succeeding the Coles and Smith Undertakers. For 100 years, the name “Alexander” has been a symbol of history; an  institution of servant hood; and a  source for community achievements.     

     Through the years, this funeral service has focused on -- the dead and those who remain.  According to Facebook, since 1914, more than 160 million people have died, and the Alexander Funeral Home has had its share of providing a comforting burial service for many with dignity.       

     Again, much history has taken place since 1914.

This  country has had 17 Presidents.
100 years ago:
The average life expectancy for men was 47 years.
Only 14 percent of the homes had a bathtub.
Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.
There were only 8,000 cars and only 144 miles of paved roads.
The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower   !
The average US wage was 22 cents per hour.
The average US worker made between $200 and $400 per year.
More than 95 percent of all births took place at HOME.
Ninety percent of all Doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION!
Instead, they attended so-called medical schools.
Sugar cost four cents a pound.
Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.
Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.
Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used Borax or egg yolks for shampoo.
There was no such thing as underarm deodorant or toothpaste.
Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from entering their country for any reason.
The five leading causes of death were:
1. Pneumonia and influenza
2, Tuberculosis
3. Diarrhea
4. Heart disease
5. Stroke
The American flag had 45 stars.
The population of Las Vegas Nevada was only 30!
There was no Mother's Day or Father's Day.
Two out of every 10 adults couldn't read or write and only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.
There were about 230 reported murders in the ENTIRE U.S.A. !
Try to imagine what it may be like in another 100 years            
     
     For 10 decades, this Funeral Home has been a family owned, operated and maintained business. When Ralph Waldo Emerson said in his essay on SELF RELIANCE, that “an institution is the lengthened shadow of one man,” he must have had persons like Zech, Sr. in mind. He was the lengthened shadow of the Alexander Funeral business.

     I knew each of the former presidents and their families personally. When my father died, Zech, Sr. enrolled all of the Herron children in the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church Sunday School; his beloved late wife, Louise, and my mother were neighbors and friends. Mr. Zech, Sr. was a businessman, a church man, a 33rd degree Mason, a community political power, and a Sergeant Major who served in the 3rd North Carolina Infantry in the Spanish-American War.

     His son, Zech Jr. taught me local history and politics. He identified to me the richest Afro-American female in Charlotte, NC. (Just between you and me), I have been trying to get close to her for some time, but she always keeps her distance. So the secret remains between the two of us!—(Zack, Jr. and me). Do you know when and why a secret will always remain a secret between two people? Answer: When one is dead!

     Another son, the late Fred was the first Black City Council member and the first Black elected to the NC House.

     Kelly, Sr. inspired me through organizational life known as the NAACP.

      My aunt, the late Mrs. Leila McPherson Davis, was Kelly, Jr.’s second grade teacher. She advanced him to a higher grade level because of his aptitude. Today, Kelly, Jr. is a member of the North Carolina House of Representative District 107.

     Another grandson, Alfred, is my personal friend while the late grandsons, Zech Wilbur and Andrew, were my childhood playmates.

     Not only has the Alexander family focused on the dead but it has been an institution of servanthood for those who remain. Greatness has been achieved through service. Its service has been that of education, economic development, community leadership, pride and strength.

     When Urban Renewal came to Charlotte and affected the Black community, it was the Alexander men, who along with the late Drs. J. S. Nathaniel Tross, James Wertz and others, gave leadership to a people in transition, seeking social and economic justice.

     Finally, the Alexander Funeral Home, Inc. has been a source of community achievement. Whether it was through the NAACP, a city or state government, any level of politics, a handshake, a secret order or a religious faith, the motive has always been the same – to get the job done – always striving for personal and community achievement.

     Long live the Alexander Funeral Home. If you will serve for another 100 years, we will guarantee you ourselves for your business when our Maker calls.   Check with me again before 2114 to see if we kept our word.A-men

(These 12 remarks  were written and delivered by Vernon M. Herron, D. M., on May 24, 2014 when the Alexander Funeral Home, Inc. of Charlotte, NC celebrated its 100 years of existence.)