MS SC546

Recognizes W.H. Jefferson Funeral Home in Vicksburg as Mississippi's oldest African-American business, founded December 1, 1894 by William Henry Jefferson, the state's first African-American funeral director.

Acknowledges the funeral home as the third oldest business of any kind in Vicksburg, predated only by Fisher Funeral Home and The Vicksburg Post.

Honors William Henry Jefferson's receipt of an embalming diploma from Renouard Training School for Embalmers in New York on December 7, 1885, and Lucy C. Jefferson's role in establishing the National Association of Colored Women in 1896.

Notes W.H. Jefferson's support of the Committee of One Hundred, an organization of 100 African-American business leaders established in the early 1890s to minimize violence against prospering African-Americans.

Recognizes the funeral home's 1965 expansion to a new facility at 800 Monroe Street and commends the current leadership, including James Jefferson, Jr. (Business Manager and President) and Ronald C. Regan (Embalmer and Funeral Director), for continuing the family business legacy on its 120th anniversary.