King-Tears Mortuary
Austin, Travis County, Texas
Marker Inscription
King-Tears Mortuary In October 1901, William M. Tears opened the Tears Funeral Home at 614 E. 6th Street to provide mortuary services for African Americans in Austin and the surrounding area. Upon his death in 1923, his son William M. Tears, Jr. became manager of the firm. In 1933, Mr. and Mrs. Charles B. King opened King and Company (later King Funeral Home) at 1107 E. 6th Street. Tears relocated to this site in 1934, and King completed extensive remodeling in 1936. In 1955, these two historic East Austin establishments merged to form the King-Tears Funeral Home. Continuing to operate at this site with expanded services and charitable works in the community, King-Tears remains an important part of Austin's heritage. (2002)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
In October 1901, William M. Tears opened a funeral home on East 6th Street to serve African Americans in Austin, a business his son took over in 1923. A second Black-owned firm, King and Company, opened nearby in 1933. In 1955 these two East Austin institutions merged into the King-Tears Funeral Home, which has continued at this site with expanded services and community charitable work.
Why it matters
Black-owned mortuaries were essential and dignified institutions in the segregated South, providing services white businesses refused and becoming anchors of economic self-reliance in African-American communities.
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Related people
- · William M. Tears
- · Charles B. King
Themes & tags
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