In 1937, Georgia Cleopatra Williams, commonly known as “the only negro woman embalmer in the city”, established her funeral home and named it G.C. Williams Funeral Director and Embalmer. Georgia’s sisters, Katherine and Grace Williams, became licensed funeral directors and embalmers in 1945 and joined Georgia Cleopatra Williams aka (G.C. Williams) in business and the firm was renamed G.C. Williams and Sisters Funeral Directors and Embalmer.

The three sisters operated the business at its original location 1123 West Chestnut Street. Following the deaths of the William sisters, the flourishing funeral business was sold and purchased in 1962 to Calvin R. Winstead, a local funeral director and embalmer. Mr. Winstead continued to operate the business from the Chestnut Street location for the next two years.

In 1964, Mr. Winstead purchased the William W. Beckett Funeral Home and incorporated it with his current firm. The new (combined) business was relocated to the present address 1935 W. Broadway Street and renamed to G.C. Willims Funeral Home Inc. Keeping the name of its original owner and keeping the desire to serving those in the community with the same confidence and nobility of its founder Georgia Cleopatra.

Responding to community growth, new additions and expansion to the existing building were designed and completed. Dedication services and open house for the community was held on Sunday, November 4, 1973. Additional expansions over the years have provided modern spacious work area and apartment space for students pursuing a career in Mortuary Science.

Increasing growth of the business and the commitment to provide a professional service has dictated an increase in business personnel. Employees have increased form four to twenty-two.

In January 1994, Mr. Hugh L. Winstead Jr. and Mr. Jasper Q Crenshaw employees of the firm, entered purchased the funeral home from Mr. Calvin Winstead. Upscale renovations and redecoration plans were implemented and completed in April 1996. The newly renovated firm has given the building a look of modernization that has lasted into this new millennium.

 Georgia Cleopatra Williams (G.C.) is seated to the left.  Grace Williams seated right. Katherine Williams standing.