Unity Mortuary
Since 1979
"Unified for Serving- Committed to Caring"
History Page
Unity Mortuary was established as the result of a funeral service concept of JAB, Inc. As a black business initiative for the community, it was perceived as a means for satisfying a social and cultural need. Moreover, Unity Mortuary’s establishment would be a unique funeral service in the black community.
JAB’s principals, those responsible for the Unity Mortuary Funeral Service concept were Jefferson, Davis, Jr., President; Alwyn V. Powell, Secretary/Treasurer; and Bryant Keese, Vice President.
Mr. Jefferson Davis, Jr. is a graduate of Gupton Jones/Dallas Institute, College of Mortuary Science, 1954, and had 38 years of experience in the funeral directing and the mortuary arts at the time the establishment of a funeral service was conceived. He worked full-time for Wheeler’s Mortuary from 1944 to 1957. He worked part-time for Wheeler’s until the business closed in 1976.
Mr. Alwyn Powell, graduate of Harvard University with a B.A. Degree in Mathematics, 1975 and the M.S. Degree, Georgia State University in Actuarial Science, 1976, provided the leadership for the research and advice needed for the establishment of the business.
Mr. Bryant Keese had amassed thirty years of experience in funeral service, having been employed by Wheeler’s and other mortuaries in the Knoxville area.
Collectively, the combined experience and expertise of the principals blazed the trail and set the foundation for the incorporation of Unity Mortuary and its officials opening on April 1, 1979. Since the opening, the leadership structure of JAB, Inc. has changed. While Jefferson Davis, Jr. yet serves as President, William V. Powell, Jr. has replaced Alwyn V. Powell as Secretary/Treasurer. The office of Vice President is vacant due to the death of Bryant Keese, Jr. It is noteworthy to mention those who took leadership in the design and construction of the facility. The late Reverend Dr. DeWitt S. Dykes, certified member of the American Institute of Architects, designed the facility, and Mr. Felix Gaiter served as contractor. It was through their talents and skills that the structure became the facility that it is. Reverend Dykes’ talent as an architect had been evidenced in the several local churches and other facilities that he designed and were built in the Knoxville area as well as elsewhere. Mr. Gaiter’s skills and experience as a bricklayer and contractor were also evidenced and recognized throughout the Knoxville community.
Unity Mortuary is the last and therefore the youngest of the black funeral services in the Knoxville area. It has provided nearly a quarter of a century of funeral service to the community, adhering to the Motto: “Unified for Serving — Committed to Caring.” It is the intent of the business to continue providing quality and comprehensive services to its clientele ant to accept the challenge to provide quality service as a day-by-day effort. With the continuing leadership of Jefferson Davis, Jr. and the services of William V. Powell, Jr. as Secretary/Treasurer, meeting the challenge is a certainty
To Contact us:
1425 McCalla Avenue
Knoxville, Tennessee 37915
Telephone: (865) 637-8811
Fax: (865) 637-1035
Email: unity1425@aol.com