In the mid 1920’s, a group of noted black funeral directors realized the need to organize to provide a consortium through which issues unique to the black community and the black funeral director could be addressed.

The following funeral directors met at the home of Mr. E. Bradford of Bradford Funeral Service in Birmingham, AL:

• Mr. “Boss” Harris – Davenport and Harris Funeral Home – Birmingham, AL
• Mr. A.L. Welch – Birmingham, AL
• Mr. Robert A. Ross – Ross-Clayton (formerly Ross-Jenkins Funeral Home) – Birmingham, AL
• Mr. C.W. Lee – Lee Funeral Home – Montgomery, AL
• Mr. Fred D. Williams – Williams Undertaking – Selma, AL
• Mr. W.E. Shortridge – Ensley, AL
• Mr. Clarence W. Allen – Johnson-Allen Funeral Home – Mobile, AL
• Mr. Augustus C. Chambers, Sr. – Chambers Funeral Home – Bessemer, AL
• Mrs. Laura Chambers – Chambers Funeral Home – Bessemer, AL
• Mr. A.L. “Dad” Smith – Smith & Gaston Funeral Home – Birmingham, AL
• Mr. Lawrence Stallworth – Stallworth-Johnson Funeral Home – Ensley, AL

The organization was named the Alabama Colored Funeral Directors and Embalmers. Mr. Robert A. Ross of then Ross-Jenkins Funeral Home was elected as the first President. As the organization progressed, the name was changed to the Alabama Funeral Directors Association and later changed to its current name, the Alabama Funeral Directors & Morticians Association, Inc.

Most of the founders of the organization were leaders in their communities and played tremendous roles in planting the seeds that have grown into our present strong and viable association.

Although during the early days of the association, access to luxury hotels and resorts was denied to members, they met diligently and consistently to address the needs of membership and the people they served. Meeting sites consisted of private homes, undertaking shops/homes, Masonic lodges, and later between 1940-1960 black schools.