LaFayette in Chambers County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Vines Funeral Home and Ambulance Service

Photographed by Mark Hilton, June 11, 2020

1. Vines Funeral Home and Ambulance Service Marker

Inscription. Vines Funeral Home and Ambulance Service was established in 1952 and is representative of a mid-20th century rural African American funeral home. It is the only funeral home in Alabama still operating an ambulance service. The main building of the funeral home was constructed in 1952. A chapel was added in 1988

Julius Summers Vines was the founder and sole proprietor of the funeral home from 1952-2001. He exemplified the entrepreneurial spirit of black funeral directors and morticians of the period. Since the mortician was one of the few professions open to African Americans during segregation, professionally trained morticians joined doctors and lawyers at the top tier of the social economic ladder. As a result, Julius S. Vines was able to play a leadership role in Lafayette, earning the respect of the entire community.

Vines Funeral Home and Ambulance Service has been placed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Erected 2019 by Alabama Historical Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Notable Places. In addition,

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it is included in the Alabama Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1952.

Location. 32° 53.54′ N, 85° 24.212′ W. Marker is in LaFayette, Alabama, in Chambers County. It is at the intersection of B Street and 1st Place SW, on the right when traveling north on B Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 211 B St SW, Lafayette AL 36862, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Alabama. It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Essie J. Handy Memorial Cemetery (approx. 0.4 miles away); The LaFayette Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); Chambers County Training School (approx. half a mile away);

Marker with Vines Funeral Home in background. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, June 11, 2020

2. Marker with Vines Funeral Home in background.

Joe Louis (approx. half a mile away); Chambers County (approx. half a mile away); Chambers County War Memorial (approx. half a mile away); Muscogee Indians (approx. half a mile away); LaFayette Cemetery (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in LaFayette.

The Vines Funeral Home. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, June 11, 2020

3. The Vines Funeral Home.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 11, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 11, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 638 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 11, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.