Black Funeral Home in Cocoa Celebrates 100 Years of Operation

BREWARD COUNTY, Florida. – Stone Funeral Home in Cocoa, operating in the community for over 100 years, has not always made money easily.

It was one of the first black businesses to open in Brevard County as early as 1923 and faced discrimination and segregation. It took a lot of heart and hard work to get this family business going.

Condor Stone and his sister Stacey Stone-Dowdell pay tribute to their grandfather, the late Richard Stone. Now, 100 years later, he and his family are still living.

“There aren’t many black businesses that are 100 years old, so we’re proud of it for no other reason,” said Condor Stone, the founder’s grandson who still works at the funeral home.

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“My dad loved Cocoa, my grandfather loved Cocoa too — and they just wanted the best for the black community and for everyone,” said Stacey Stone-Dowdell, the founder’s granddaughter.

Richard Stone broke down racial barriers. He was an active member of the NAACP, as well as the founder of the Cocoa-Rockledge civic league, where he helped black residents register to vote.

But he and his funeral home faced discrimination.

“There were no whites or Caucasians using black funeral homes, and they would not allow African Americans to use their funeral homes,” Ian Stone said.

Jen Stone now runs the family business after her husband Rudy, who was also a leader in civic coverage, died in 2004. Her stepson Condor is the funeral director at their Melbourne office.

They told News 6 that the founder – Richard – became a funeral director to better support his family after he was first a mechanic, but white patrons didn’t support his business.

Stone said there were no black funeral homes between Jacksonville and Miami in those early days.

“That’s why he decided to go into the funeral business,” he said.

Last week, Cocoa City Councilman Alex Goins presented the funeral home with this proclamation of family loyalty and community service.

“At a time when blacks weren’t treated well, being around for 100 years showed me how respected they are in the community, how devoted they are to their family,” District 1 City Councilman Alex Goines said.

A devoted family, still going strong 100 years later.

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