Vines Funeral Home and Ambulance Service
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. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans
this page online
Location. 32° 53.54′ N, 85° 24.212′ W. Marker is in LaFayette, Alabama, in Chambers County. Marker 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.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Essie J. Handy Memorial Cemetery (approx. 0.4 miles away); The LaFayette Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); 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); Providence Baptist Church (approx. 8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in LaFayette.
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 302 times since then and 93 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 11, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
