The Frank and Solomon Nixon Funeral home marked their 100th anniversary with a multimedia exhibit release collaborating with ABAC
students.
Founded in 1925, The funeral home has served the needs of the public and is the oldest African American family-owned business and funeral home in Tift County, Georgia. They console families who are navigating through loss and offer quality end-of-life services.
The centennial celebration brought together a group of attendees, the community, locals, long time partners and associates to honor and celebrate the contributions the funeral had in the community and across the state of Georgia.
The funeral home’s history and development were recognized throughout the exhibit. Joan Whatley said, “It is amazing that the company
had stayed in business that long and in the family.”
A special part of the multimedia exhibit was the premiere of a student produced documentary titled, “A Servant to the Rich, A Friend to the Poor”.
Advisors, Dr. Elizabeth Medley and Dr. Rachel Price along with ABAC students, Jalen Edmondson, Anthony Baisden, Hunter Holton, Arizabeth
Zapote, and Caleb Joiner took part in the film’s development.
Holton said, “A couple professors approached us about the idea. We were down to do any sort of media project that will help build our portfolios, and this was a good topic to cover and share the story.”
The documentary includes interviews with funeral home staff, partners, Nixon family members, and family friends from throughout the years. It took six months of interviewing, researching, to make. The film chronicles the Nixon family’s impact on the community and how their funeral services came to be.
Throughout the venue, displays gave deeper insight into the funeral home, and the people who were involved in their 100-year journey. Sam Jackson Jr. said, “The whole event was great, it appeared the celebration was a joint effort, a team effort and I’m glad that I was able
to be one of the ones to participate in helping celebrate the 100th anniversary”.
The event concluded the Mayor of Tifton, Julie Smith, gifts the Nikon family keys to the city. The Nikon family also recognized former staff, and contributors. The centennial celebration highlighted the businesses’ past and its ongoing commitment to assisting families during times of loss.
For more information about services offered by the Frank and Solomon Nixon Funeral Home, visit http://www.nixonfh.net or call 229-382-1825.
PHOTOS | JUANA ALVARADO AND LWENZLYN HILLS