[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 53 (Wednesday, April 2, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E492]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE MANIGAULT-HURLEY FAMILY'S SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 2, 2014

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate to 
recognize the Manigault-Hurley Family for their dedicated service to 
the Midlands community. After 90 years of dedicated service to 
generations of South Carolinians, the oldest family-owned funeral home 
in the Columbia area, closed its doors earlier last month.
  Founded in 1923, by William Manigault, the Manigault-Hurley Funeral 
Home was a family business in every sense of the word. After William's 
passing his wife, Annie Rivers Manigault continued to operate the 
funeral home until 1954. Anna May Manigault-Hurley, daughter of William 
and Annie, took over the business becoming the first female licensed 
embalmer in the state. She managed the successful business for 50 
years. Anna's son and current owner Anthony ( Tony) M. Hurley grew up 
helping with the family business which he operated with the help of his 
wife, Alice Wyche Hurley, and their three children, Brian, Kelly, and 
Michelle.
  According to The State Newspaper's March 15th article `Nothing is 
Forever,' ``Manigault's was one of four black undertaking 
establishments operating in Columbia during the late 1920's according 
to the Roberts photo book, `A True Likeness.' His shot of the 
storefront, in the 700 block of Main, shows a street lined with black 
Cadillacs.
  Manigault expanded into caskets. During the Depression, his Congaree 
Casket Co. reportedly employed more black people than any other black-
owned business in South Carolina.''
  Nate Abraham, Jr., in Carolina Panorama on March 20 reported ``We 
have served four generations of the Columbia community,'' said Mrs. 
[Alice] Hurley. ``And we are happy with that. We will certainly miss 
being a part of the business community, but like everything else, life 
goes in stages. We are just now moving into another stage.''
  With its closing, the Manigault-Hurley Funeral Home leaves behind a 
legacy of a family business dedicated to professionalism and 
compassionate service. The Wilson and Johnson families know firsthand 
of the Hurley Family's thoughtfulness in times of grief. They were 
instrumental in providing world-class arrangements. South Carolinians 
will offer the Manigault-Hurley family best wishes for success in 
future endeavors. May their lives be filled with health and happiness 
knowing they have made a lasting difference for so many families.

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