About Us

About Us

A sequence of six photos documenting the historical lineage and continued leadership of a professional organization.

Jackson Mortuary, Wichita's longest running black-owned enterprise, was founded by Abner B. Jackson Sr., his wife Maude, and his three sons, Howard, Edward, and Abner Jr. on July 10, 1926. Abner B. Jackson Sr. was born on December 2, 1881, graduated from the Kansas City College of Mortuary Science in 1926. 


In the beginning, the Jackson family operated an ambulance service at 628 N. Main. By the 1930's, the ambulance service had evolved into a full-service mortuary and in 1933 moved its operations to 703 N. Water. Besides the company's move to 703 N. Water, the 1930's witnessed the death of three of the company's founders: Maude, Howard and Edward. In 1940, Abner B. Jackson Sr. and Abner B. Jackson Jr. formed a partnership with Abner Jr. later becoming manager in 1942.


When Abner B. Jackson Sr. retired in 1950, Abner Jr. took over the leadership of Jackson Mortuary. During the thirty-two years he presided over company operations, Jackson Mortuary expanded its service to Wichita' African-American community and moved to a new location 1125 E. 13th Street, in 1965.


From the beginning, Jackson Mortuary was and still is a multi-generational family-run business. Thus, it should not be surprising that Abner, Jr., similar to his father, consciously encouraged his children to be a part of this enterprise. Consequently, when he retired in 1982, he bequeathed ownership of Jackson Mortuary to his twin sons Anderson E. Jackson and Val Jean Jackson as well as his grandson Michael E. Jackson.


One of the major highlights associated with the Jackson twins ascendancy to company leadership was construction of a new addition to the 1125 E. 13th facility.  Opened on December 31, 1985, Jackson Mortuary had now doubled in size and further enhanced its influence in Wichita.



With the passing of Anderson E. Jackson and Val Jean Jackson. Michael E. Jackson, with the support of his wife, Deborah, two sons, Jamaun, Torrance and wife Chasity,  stands at the helm of the iconic Wichita black business. Five generations of service and approaching 100 years in business, Jackson Mortuary epitomizes a community-based, service-oriented, enterprise.