Funeral Directors

William Isaac Johnson, born in 1852 to enslaved parents in Charlotte County, Virginia, became one of the most prominent African American funeral directors in Richmond, Virginia. After the Civil War, Johnson attended the newly established public schools for African Americans in Richmond and completed his studies at the Richmond Colored Normal School (now Armstrong High). He initially worked as a teacher and later served as a letter carrier for twelve years. However, seeking greater opportunities, he left the steady income of public service and ventured into business with no prior formal training.

In 1886, Johnson founded his funeral home at 23 West Broad Street in Richmond. His business quickly grew, and after five years, he relocated to a larger space at 207 N. Foushee Street, in the Monroe Ward section of Richmond. While Black residents did live in Madison Ward, they were not the primary occupants of the area. Often, Black families resided in the alleyways or behind white-owned properties, living in spaces that were both physically and socially marginalized within the broader community. Though as his business was in the beginning of the neighborhood, on the south side of the commercial corridor, it was a great location for a meeting place, as it was in a central location.

By 1911, as his business continued to expand, Johnson sold the Foushee Street property for $25,000 and purchased a new building at 10 West Leigh Street, which became the headquarters of W. I. Johnson & Sons. This three-story, brick building was state-of-the-art for its time, featuring an office, show room, morgue, and a chapel on the second floor. The third floor contained lodge rooms used by various fraternal societies. The building was also fully equipped with steam heating and electricity.

Alongside his funeral business, Johnson also operated a garage, which housed a fleet of vehicles that included motor hearses, limousines, touring cars, and delivery wagons. Johnson’s firm became highly regarded for its modern equipment and impeccable business practices, drawing clients from across the city. In 1911, Johnson’s two sons joined the business, with one serving as his primary assistant. Though the other son temporarily left to serve in the U.S. Army, the firm continued to flourish under the leadership of the Johnson family.

Beyond his funeral business, Johnson was active in numerous civic and business organizations. He was a member of the Henrico Lodge of Masons, served as a director of both the St. Luke Penny Savings Bank and the Crown Savings Bank, Quartermaster of the First Battalion, Virginia Volunteers, and was a trustee of the Negro Reformatory of Virginia. His business acumen earned him numerous honors, including serving as the President of the Negro exhibit at the Jamestown Exposition. Johnson was also a member of the National Negro Business League, attending most of its meetings and traveling extensively in the process.

In 1889, Johnson married Maria Cooley, and the couple had three children. The Johnson family lived in newly built residences adjacent to the funeral home, a symbol of the family's success and upward mobility. From his modest beginnings as the child of former slaves, William Isaac Johnson's rise to prominence in the funeral business and his contributions to the African American community reflect the power of perseverance, determination, and community-focused entrepreneurship. His legacy continues to be remembered as an exemplary model of African American success in the early 20th century.

He passed on November 24, 1919 and is buried at Evergreen Cemetery.

Alfred Douglas Price, Sr. (1860–1921), widely known as A. D. Price, was a trailblazing African American entrepreneur and community leader in Richmond, Virginia. Born in Hanover County, his early life was marked by limited schooling and work to support his family. By 1881, Price had established a blacksmith and wheelwright shop, later expanding into livery and funeral services. His innovations, such as securing one of Virginia’s first embalming licenses, placed him at the forefront of his industry and made him a central figure in Richmond's African American business community.

Price’s funeral home, located in the historic Jackson Ward district, became a hub for his multifaceted ventures, which included real estate and public transportation services. By the late 19th century, his enterprise was one of the largest of its kind in the city, serving African American and white clients alike. His business acumen extended to leadership roles in financial institutions and fraternal organizations, amplifying his influence within and beyond the African American community. From his warehouse on Third Street, Price operated as a wholesaler of funeral supplies to African Americans across the South. As one of Richmond's largest African American real estate holders, he was a sought-after advisor for several banks and insurance companies, serving on numerous boards, including those of the Mechanics Savings Bank, the St. Luke Penny Savings Bank, the Commercial Bank and Trust, and the Richmond Hospital and Training School for Nurses.

In 1893, a group of African-American men in Richmond, Virginia, founded the Southern Aid and Insurance Company, the first black-owned and operated insurance company in the United States, with the goal of providing affordable insurance and job opportunities for black youth. Chartered on February 25, 1893, the company’s first leaders included Z.D. Lewis, pastor of the Second Baptist Church of Richmond, as president, and R. Louis Brown as vice president, alongside other founding officers. Initially struggling to compete with popular fraternal orders and church societies, the company saw modest growth for nearly a decade. However, after replacing the original president with A.D. Price, a successful banker and businessman, the company rebranded as the Southern Aid Society of Virginia, Inc., adopting a strategy that leveraged the appeal of fraternal organizations. Under Price’s leadership, the company expanded, eventually employing over 300 people in branches across Virginia and Washington, D.C. Despite its historical significance, particularly as the first African-American insurance company, the Southern Aid Society of Virginia's post-1940 history remains largely unexplored, with limited scholarly attention given to its role in Richmond's business history. In the late 1980s, the company’s building at 214 E. Clay Street was purchased by Atlanta Life Insurance Company, marking a significant transition, though little has been written about the company's later developments. Price served as the president of the Southern Aid Society of Virginia from 1905 until his death in 1921. He is buried at Evergreen Cemetery.

Upon his death, his son, A. Douglas Price, Jr, took over the family businesses with the continued guidance of his mother, Georgie A. Gibbons Price, a former Fisk Jubilee Singer. Recognizing his son’s potential, A.D. Price trained him rigorously in all aspects of the business, including embalming and officiating at funerals. He even learned the technical aspects of funeral car maintenance and repair, even disassembling and reassembling expensive automobiles as part of his training during the transition from horse-drawn carriages to automobiles. Douglass, a graduate of Richmond Public Schools, Virginia Union University and Renourd’s School of Embalming in New York City, earned the distinction of being the youngest person to pass the Virginia Board of Embalmers exam at the age of 18. 

Under his leadership, the business maintained its high standards of service, operating 24/7 to meet the needs of the community. Beyond his work in the funeral industry, Douglass was deeply involved in the community, serving on various boards such as the Southern Aid Society, where he was director, the Commercial Bank and Trust Company, and Evergreen Cemetery, where he was again a director. He was also an active member of the Masonic order, the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and the Improved Protective Order of Elks, where he held the position of Past Exalted Ruler.

Clarence Peyton Hayes, commonly known as C. P. Hayes, was born in Richmond, Virginia, to Arthur Hayes, a prominent early undertaker in the state. He received his education through Richmond Public Schools and Virginia Union University before assuming control of his father’s business on January 7, 1916. Despite facing significant setbacks during his two-year service in the military, Hayes demonstrated exceptional resilience and determination. Through hard work and steadfast dedication, he successfully rebuilt and expanded the business, ultimately making it a leading establishment in the community.

Hayes’ reputation was built on his integrity, loyalty, and strong leadership, qualities that enabled him to gain mastery over his enterprise. He not only earned local respect but also became well-known across the nation. In addition to his professional achievements, Hayes was a respected member of local fraternities and established a thriving personal life. He lived with his wife, who played a key role in supporting the business, and their only child, Harriet T. Davis Hayes. His home, situated near his business, stood as a testament to his success and the esteem in which he was held.

Robert C. Scott, a pioneering funeral director and one of the first Black embalming license holders in Virginia (license #75), achieved significant success through his dedication to service excellence and innovative practices. He began his business on May 1, 1910, on his 21st birthday, in a small, modest location at 2220 E. Main Street. Despite limited capital, Scott's determination and attention to customer needs quickly garnered him a strong reputation. In 1910, he expanded his operations by purchasing a new property, investing $7,000 to remodel it into a three-story building with a basement, offering much more space to accommodate his growing business. This new location, with a 23-foot frontage and a depth of 150 feet, allowed Scott to increase capacity and further solidify his place in the community. In addition to his business properties, Scott also lived at location at 711 N 29th St; which he also for storage and garage space, ensuring his fleet of vehicles was readily available (Scott's firm was one of the first to adopt motorized vehicles, replacing horse-drawn carriages in the early 1910s). His business flourished due to his commitment to offering high-quality products and services, including luxury caskets, all while keeping pace with the latest trends and ensuring rapid service. 

A critical expansion in his business came with the acquisition of a property at 19 W. Clay Street, located in a strictly residential area of the city. This branch was strategically placed to serve residents in Jackson Ward and other uptown neighborhoods, as well as, and those living in smaller apartments who might not have the means or space to make satisfactory funeral arrangements. This location also catered to families who desired a more home-like environment to care for their loved ones’ remains. This was the first in a series of branches, or "Neighborhood Chapels," in various parts of the city, serving the needs of different communities. However, with urban renewal and demographic shifts, the original neighborhood chapel model became less effective.

The firm’s success was further underscored in 1936 when it was incorporated as Robert C. Scott, Inc., and, over time, evolved into its current name, Scott’s Funeral Service, always guided by its core philosophy: "Service of Highest Caliber." In 1967, the firm moved into a new, modern facility on the corner of Brookland Park Boulevard and Lamb Avenue, a 9,000-square-foot building that housed all necessary amenities, including a chapel seating over 225 people, viewing parlors, selection rooms, conference and business offices, lounges, a Hammond organ, a public address system, and a parking area for 175 cars. This modern facility marked a new chapter in the firm’s history while maintaining its commitment to providing the highest standard of service to a growing and increasingly diverse community.

Moses Forsey, Manager

Moses Forcey was born in Richmond, Virginia, and received his early education at the George Mason School. In his youth, Forcey worked as a newsboy and a porter in a hat store. He began his professional career around 1912 when he joined the employment of R. C. Scott, gradually gaining experience in the undertaking business. Over time, he became highly skilled in the field and eventually rose to the position of assistant manager and embalmer, serving as Mr. Scott's trusted right-hand man. Forcey was well-versed in all aspects of the business and was recognized for his dedication and expertise. He resided at 1221 North Twenty Sixth Street, where he remained available to receive orders and attend to his duties.