Mrs. J.W. Jones Memorial Chapel

About

We give reverence to the dead through service to the living.

Story

Mrs. J. W. Jones Memorial Chapel was founded in 1900 by the late Mr. J. W. Jones and was originally named the Kansas City Embalming and Casket Company. Its original location was 440 State Avenue, and Mr. Jones also owned the livery stables next door at 444 State Avenue, which provided horse-drawn hearses for families at the funeral home in addition to carriages for hauling purposes. The firm enjoys a steep tradition within the Kansas City African-American community and continues to be the oldest African-American funeral home in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Upon Mr. Jones’ death in 1921, his wife, Mrs. Mary A. Jones, continued the operations of her late husband’s business. The business survived the Great Depression and emerged and prospered under the direction of Mrs. J. W. Jones. The business is currently operated by a dedicated staff consisting of Ellsworth Crosby, Jr., Mary McCree, Craig Campbell, Ed Powell, Thomas Carter, Larry Caldwell, Rev. Maurice Porter, and many others.