A Life of Legacy

Operating for over a century, J.W. Woodward Funeral Home is the oldest Black, family-owned business in the City of Spartanburg, and is an example that the business community looks to for longevity inspiration. The current owner, Kay Elizabeth Woodward, is the third of five generations to work at the funeral home in the past century.

Her grandfather, John W. Woodward, first opened the funeral home on Short Wofford Street in 1916 during the Jim Crow era, offering additional services to the Black community that were inaccessible elsewhere-- such as loans, a laundromat, and ambulance services.

His son, John Stinson Woodward, then took over the family business, moving the funeral home to its current location at 594 Howard St. in 1946. A 600-seat chapel was added in 1979.

A member of the Converse College Board of Trustees, owner K.E. Woodward remains active in the community and hopes to be an inspiration to other African-American entrepreneurs. Woodward works with City of Spartanburg's Minority Business Development office to mentor and influence business owners through the City's Amplify Business Accelerator program.

She notes two main reasons for success: an ability to adapt without sacrificing quality, and relationships that the funeral home has built with the hospital, Sheriff's Office, and Coroner's Office. “It’s not the same industry as it was when I started full-time here in 1985,” Woodward remembered. “I feel we’ve been trendsetters... Quality service -- that is what’s important to the families,” she said. “Everybody we serve is special to us.”

To read the full story of the Woodward family's history and business success in Spartanburg, go to GoUpstate.com.

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