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In Jackson, Mississippi the funeral service business
for African-Americans began in the late 1880's. The business was Lyman and
Harvey undertakers at the corner of Pearl
and Farish Streets. Lyman came from Vicksburg, Mississippi
where he had also started a funeral home. He and Jack Harvey sold their
business to G. F. Frazier who operated from 406 North Farish Street
beginning in 1903. Records from this year forward are maintained by Collins
Funeral Home.
Also in the late 1880's, Malachi Collins and E.W. Hall
established a funeral service business, Hall and Collins Funeral Home, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
This was the first funeral home owned by African-Americans to service the
African-American population.
In 1924, as G. F. Frazier prepared to move from Jackson to Cleveland,
Ohio, he sold his business to
Malachi Collins and his wife Mary A. Collins. For many years, although owned
exclusively by Mr. and Mrs. Collins, the company was known as Frazier and
Collins Funeral Home. The Collins Burial Insurance Company was established in
1925.
In April, 1939, Mr. and Mrs. Collins moved the business from
406 North Farish across the street to 415 North Farish
Street, its present location. Mr. Collins died
later that year, and Mrs. Collins, along with a dedicated staff continued to
operate the business.
Clarie Collins Harvey, the only
child of Mary and Malachi Collins, joined her mother in management of the
business in 1950. The Frazier name was dropped and the business became known
as Collins Funeral Home, Inc. Mary A. Collins remained president and CEO
until her death in 1970 when her daughter assumed these responsibilities.
Since Clarie C. Harvey had no
children or siblings, she developed a close relationship with some of her
many cousins. Two of them joined her in the business: Ralph E. Collins in
1963, and his sister, Annette Collins Rollins in 1973. They have owned and
operated the Collins Funeral Home and Insurance Companies since Mrs. Harvey's
death in 1995.
Collins Insurance
Company was formed to offer burial insurance to people of color in the
community at a time when standard life insurance was not available.
Mrs. Harvey took this service a step further by offering to Collins' patrons
a funeral service for these limited amounts. In an effort to meet the
needs of our changing society, Collins now offers life insurance in face
amounts up to $5,000, and has continued the burial insurance allowing patrons
the opportunity to upgrade. Prearrangements are also available for those who
want to assure that their needs are met and to lighten the burden on loved
ones.
Some of the
innovative ideas Collins brought to the Jackson, MS area, included the use of
funeral attendants, an all-white fleet, a black and gold fleet with black and
gold uniforms to match for funeral directors and assistants, placing the
deceased in the church an hour ahead of the service, the Collins Northside Chapel and Abundant Living Center established
in 1990 to accommodate weddings, worship services, special events, as well as
funerals.
Collins Funeral
Home, Inc. continuously strives to live up to its slogan and motto:
Service
By COLLINS
Love is forever.
2009
marks 106 years of Service By Collins ...
1903 ~ 2009
leading
the way in providing final arrangements, services with dignity, respect, and
the integrity you have come to expect from ...
COLLINS FUNERAL HOME, INC.
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