Oldest African-American Operated Business Celebrates 90 Years In Business
In 1922, Millard E. Latimer and Son Funeral Directors, Inc. was proud to open it’s doors and serve their community. 90 years later, Monique Latimer is the proud owner of the business.
Latimer says that it has not always been easy running the family business, sharing,
“I know the dues my in-laws paid. I know the dues my husband paid. You know people see where you are today, but they don’t see how you got there.”
Millard “Pop” Latimer Sr. was the first black man to graduate from the Syracuse School of Embalming while simultaneously working for the railroad as a red cap.
“Pop” Latimer Sr. started the business with his wife Lydia Latimer and were then later joined by their son Millard, Jr., who was said to have been hesitant because he wanted to be a dentist.
Even though Millard, Jr was hesitant to join the family business at first, he ended up taking over from his father and becoming president.
The business which started on Clarissa St. has since grown and now moved to its current location on Plymouth Ave. Moving the business was not easy, said Latimer,
“People didn’t want them in the neighborhood. It was an all Caucasian business at that time, so they didn’t want a black family moving in.”
The family business moved in anyway and has provided valuable and needed service to the community since then.
A city resident, Patty Larkes, agrees saying,
“They have set a precedent. They have been a shining example of professionalism in the city.”
Another resident, Yvonne Quinn-Flemming, said
“They’ve always been there, very helpful and very careful.”
Said Latimer,
“My mother always said treat everyone the way you would want to be treated. I think if you genuinely care about people, I think they feel it, they know it.”
Monique Latimer, widow of Millard Latimer, Jr, has five children and three grandchildren. She says so far, none of them are interested in taking over the business. Latimer says that not even bribery has worked.
17 Responses to Oldest African-American Operated Business Celebrates 90 Years In Business
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i really dont know if a death business is something to be proud of. they had a captive audience/market. whites didnt bury blacks in those days.
Good grief Joyce, don’t be the crab pulling others down your whole life.
It is 86 days to the election…Let’s talk about the election and Paul Ryan and what he and Romney have in store for Americans if elected: Mitt Romney pandered to the extreme right and announced Paul Ryan as his pick for vice president this morning, guaranteeing that this election will be about tax cuts, Medicare, and the economy.
Ryan is a rock star for Republicans, the lead architect of the radical right-wing budget that Republicans are pushing in Congress. A budget that calls for:
Huge new tax cuts for the super-rich on top of extending the Bush tax cuts
Turning Medicare into a voucher program
Making massive cuts to vital programs like Medicaid, food stamps, Pell Grants, and job training
New increases in military spending — even as President Obama ends two wars
Let me put this as simply as I can: Paul Ryan is the author of everything we’ve been fighting against in Washington since Republicans took control of the House — and now Mitt Romney wants him to be vice president.
I hate to change the subject too, Elizabeth, but I agree with you. The ONLY way that Ryan-Romney will win in November is if those who SAY that they support Obama don’t do so with their dollars and their votes. Want-their-country-back Tea Party Republicans are about to take us back to the 50′s by deregulating business in every way possible, including restoring racial exclusion in hiring, housing, healthcare, lending to name just a few.
This election is going to be a fight to the finish, with Republicans outspending Democrats by 3 to 1. Maybe more!
We are going to decided this November whether or not dollars vote and decided elections or people do.
In America, the people’s voice box is at the polls!
What two of you did is a clear indication that you have the right to be stupid and ignorant.
Need I remind you that obama continued ALL of Bush’s policies. He extended Bush’s tax cuts for the rich. The banks are still charging exorbitant fees. He has been nothing but a closet republican, and not a catalysis for the change he promised. I’d rather have a real republican than a closet one. OBAMA HAS NO HISTORY OF CREATING ANY JOBS AND DOESN’T KNOW SH8T ABOUT CREATING ONE.
Wow! Where were you when everything president Obama tried to do,they fought him tOoth and nail? I understand why you hate the president but there is no need to lie on him. He has done a remarkable job with all that he has had to endure. When one is poor and white I have no sympathy, the world has been yours forever! Yet, here is a man doing battle for all people.
It’s a business and they have every right to be proud.
Larry
SOMETIMES IF YOU DON”T HAVE ANYTHING POSITIVE TO SAY, IT’S BEST TO SAY NOTHING AT ALL!!!!!!!!!
As the heir to a Southern Mortuary established in 1920, I can assure everyone that to stay in business in a personal service industry is a Major achievement. These businesses operate under state and federal regulations that covers everything from Hazardous waste to marketing, vehicle and equipment regulations and requirements. All the while providing exceptional service to bereved relatives in very stressed circumstances.
Historically service was provided only by Blacks for Blacks, yet this industry has always had the constant influx of new competition from those that thought of Funeral Service as instant money. The first Black Mayor and the first Chairman of the County Commission, tried there hand in or backed others in Mortuary only to fail.
The relative decision maker is and never are captive, and being entrusted to provide service usually means providing service exactly how, when, and where the client desires. The service provider must professionally and tastefully execute a procession in varying locations, circumstances, and audiences. Services for varying faiths, fraternal orders, military, civilian, sects and ideologies.
Those who succeed the founder, second and third generations often sacrifice their own vision and dreams to continue the legacy of service. 40 years ago the Rev. Ralph D. Abernathy preached of my fathers 50 years of service in his fathers business as Biblically Fulfilling like the son of Adam and Eve.
I tip my cap to the Latimer’s those who served in the past and in the future.
Thank you for your insiders’ viewpoint. Interesting.
No one Black Family getting paid at the expense of other Black People? Them Southern Crackers in the 1960′s made sure this would be the only Black Bussiness that would make money off the Death of some Negroes.I remember these types of Negroes making Money in LA off the Blood & Crip Wars? If I see these Strange Fools I might Run! Morbit as Death!
I think that Weldon Funeral Home in Weems, Virginia is a year older.
Rhodes Funeral Homes in New Orleans was established in 1884!
I am sick of ignorance!!!
No one has to divide us. We do that all by ourselves.
Thank God for black people supporting other black people in death. We need more black businesses to spend our money in instead of making other races rich.
All power to the people! I have been dishardened over the years for As
Long as I can remember after seeing EST. tags for bakeries,pizza shops,
Bars, hair salons all over new York, none of which were black owned!
This bothers me to see black owned businesses close after even 10-15
Yrs. 2, 3,4 generations- omg! These young ones believe they.know better.
They don’t have the allegiance that these has had!
More power and strength for them.
Mortuary business bakery, salon I am just happy they have stood this long!
U wonder y our communities don’t empower our future generations?
Walking down the street and everytime u look up there is some other there
To take ur money. They don’t even spend their money in our communities, not
Even for lunch. The nail lady brings lunch and snacks from home. Those
That don’t, have located the business in you community that is own by one of their
Own!!!! Believe that!