Oldest Black-owned business in Alabama celebrates 125 years of service in Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – Opening in 1899, Davenport and Harris Funeral Homes is celebrating 125 years of serving the Birmingham area and being the oldest Black-owned business in the state of Alabama.

Descendants of the Harris family and current president of the funeral home, Marion Sterling, says the business was created to meet a need in the community.

“My great-grandfather Charles Morgan Harris and his sister Hattie Davenport started the business,” Sterling said. “At that time, there was not one institution that would touch the deceased body of a Black man, woman, or child, so there was truly a need [for funeral services].”

The funeral home is hosting a free celebration at Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa tonight featuring Kenny Latimore and Rickey Smiley. The event is sold out.

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