Anthony Funeral Home

Funeral home in West Memphis, Arkansas

Solon and Eleanor Anthony are owners of Anthony Funeral Home, Inc. which has been in operations for over 60 years. Anthony Funeral Home Inc. was founded in 1946 by Luke Sears Anthony Sr. and Mascaline Anthony, more affectionately known as M.L. In 1939, brother M.L. had vision to open a funeral home. He knew he needed finances to accomplish his dream; so he volunteered for the United States Navy that same year, where he spent eight years. He began sending money home to his father Luke Sr. to be later used to build the funeral home. It took six years, but on October 26, 1946, Anthony Funeral Home was completed. The original was and still is located on what was then Highway 79 South at Neuhardt, AR, now State Highway 147 South, Anthonyville, AR, but it is the Southside 16th street location in West Memphis, that serves as the central hub, with the other location at the corner of 13th and Thompson also in West Memphis.

When M.L. was discharged from the Navy in 1948, he returned home to oversee the operation. After one year, he decided to move to Chicago to pursue other job interests, thus turning the funeral home over to his family. This included 6 other siblings, Ida, Luke Sears, Jr., Leo Cornelius, Calvin Coolidge Solon Levell, and Frederick Douglas. Another sister, Flossie had died some years earlier at age 18. After three years, M.L., as well as all the other siblings showed no further committed interest in the business. It was during this time that Solon recalls his father Luke Sr., saying, "Son, I won't be here much longer, so it's left up to you to make this business a success. It's going to be hard, but you can do it". So it was in 1952, Solon, by now married to Eleanor Bennett Anthony purchased the business from M.L. for a 'mere', $2500, money he had borrowed from a close family friend. Now, a father and husband, Solon still had many obstacles yet to bear. Not only was he still trying to make the funeral home business work, he still had not completed college. It was really tough getting an education during those times, especially for an African American male. Wife, Eleanor had completed her studies with a degree in Elementary Education from Philander Smith College in Little Rock, AR. She had begun working as a teacher in the Hughes Public School system. While Solon finished up on his degree, his wife Eleanor eagerly supported the family. Besides finishing school and developing the family mortuary business, Solon also worked various jobs to make ends meet. Needless to say, money was quite scarce during those years. Finally, in 1964, Solon graduated from Mississippi Industrial College in Holly Springs, MS with a degree in Elementary Education. Now both Solon and Eleanor worked as full-time teachers in the Hughes Public School system. Solon was Principle for Arthur Evans Elementary, where Eleanor was a Reading and Language Arts teacher, later becoming the first African American Guidance Counselor for Hughes Middle School. Once Arthur Evans Elementary was closed, Solon became the first African American male Asst Principle for Hughes Elementary.

It was difficult during those years juggling two careers. As funeral home proprietors and also public school administrators and educators, they were faced with many challenges. But the burdens became lighter, being surrounded by a supportive cast of peers and superiors who allowed them the opportunity to pursue both careers without complaint. They both retired from the Hughes Public School System in 1987 after serving 30 and 38 years respectively.

God blessed Solon and Eleanor with four children. They are (eldest to youngest) Tandy Lawrence, Frederick Stanley, Ardrenell, and Sandra Bonita. All children are actively involved in the daily operations of the funeral home. Tandy is Manager/Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer. Frederick is Asst. Manager and a Licensed Funeral Director. Nell is a Licensed Funeral Director and Office Manager. Sandra is a Licensed Funeral Director and Asst. Office Manager. Both Tandy and Frederick's wives are active in the business. Tandy's wife, Carolyn plays an active role as Office Managerial Consultant over Payroll, Pre-Need, State and Federal Taxes as well as bookkeeping operations, while Frederick's wife Eair is Managerial and Business Consultant as well. Also, all grandchildren are active as Apprentice Funeral Directors.

In more recent years, one of the children from Luke Sears Jr's brood, Joseph Anthony has begun working, also as Asst. Manager and Business Consultant. His wife Panzy is also in charge of the day-to-day operation at the 13th and Thompson funeral home location.

Solon and Eleanor, both still active in the daily funeral home operations carrying on the dream, first realized and mastered by founders Luke Sears Sr. and M.LS. Solon and Eleanor said, "The dream continues on through our children, grandchildren, and great and great-great-grandchildren, as well as the generations to come.

The company motto says it all... "Serving the community since 1946... "Where Economics, Honest and Professional Service Is Not A Slogan... But a Reality".