PRESS RELEASE
On Saturday, November 10, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. at the Von Braun Center, East Hall during the Forever Royal 100th Anniversary Celebration Gala, four community leaders will be honored for their professional achievements and accomplishments on behalf of the citizens of Huntsville and the North Alabama region. Mr. Sid Hutchinson, Mrs. Ollye Doyle Conley, Mr. Thornton Stanley, Sr. and Mr. Hundley Batts, Sr., have been selected to receive Royal Funeral Home’s prestigious Sentinel Award for their long-standing, devoted service and exemplary leadership to the Huntsville Community.
“We are absolutely thrilled to honor these individuals for their ongoing relationships with four generations of our family and business. Unfortunately, we could not honor or recognize everyone with whom Royal has co-labored in service and outreach to families throughout our community.
But, as we commemorate and reflect upon 100 years of service and advocacy, we deeply appreciate all our community partners, colleagues, families and friends, stated Karen Jones Smith, President and Co-Owner of Royal. “It was a not an easy task to choose only four individuals, but our community panel worked very hard to finalize these selections”.
First, Mr. Sid Hutchinson, a master tailor and accomplished businessman, opened Huntsville’s first African-American owned and operated custom tailoring shop in August 1959. His skill and lifelong dedication toward producing high quality custom suits, custom shirts, and expert alterations made him a critically acclaimed professional throughout the community. Mr. Hutchinson’s original shop was housed in Huntsville’s first African-Americans owned commercial office building, built by Mr. Lawrence Hundley, first generation owner of Royal who purchased the funeral home from its original owners, The Binford Family, in 1946.
Second, Huntsville native, Mrs. Ollye Ballard Conley, became the first African-American, female principal in Huntsville City Schools and the Academy for Science and Foreign Language, a free-standing magnet school. An innovative educator and social advocate, she is highly recognized for her development of the Alabama African-
American Historic Project designed to teach students to document history, and to preserve and protect historical monuments and artifacts.
Third, in 1961, Mr. Thornton Stanley, Sr., proprietor of Stanley’s Landscaping and Construction Company, Inc., began his business with two employees, one dump truck and a backhoe that today contributes over $2 Million annually to the North Alabama jobs economy. Fueled by his professional philosophy “Find A Job or Make One” and a strong work ethic, Mr. Stanley received the 2001 SBA National Small Business Person of the Year—a prestigious honor presented by President George W. Bush during a historic White House Ceremony.
And lastly, self-made entrepreneur and media giant, Mr. Hundley Batts, Sr. is managing general agent of Hundley Batts and Associates Insurance Agency and owner of four radio stations in North Alabama and Tennessee. For over half a century, Mr. Batts has served as commissioner and chairman of various boards and foundations advocating for economic development, providing leadership and resources for disadvantaged youth and giving a voice for underserve audiences.
David W. Smith, Sr. stated “We are ecstatic to present these awards at our gala. We chose to use the name Sentinel for the awards because it symbolizes the nobility of a true soldier or guard who stands watch; and, these four individuals certainly exemplify longevity and excellence in their various occupations, business and community endeavors directly aligned with Royal’s mission of service to our fellow man.” We invite all community members to join us at the gala to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the funeral home and in honor of these beloved Huntsville citizens.
About Royal Funeral Home
The story of Huntsville’s oldest black business began in 1918 with its first operator and owner, Mr. Charles King Binford. A Huntsville native, young Binford helds from a family lineage of educators and civic/political leaders. His father, Mr. Henry Claxton Binford, retired as principal of the Colored City School, a Huntsville’s Alderman, chairman of the Republican Executive Committee of Madison County, editor of the Huntsville Journal newspaper and the Most Worshipful Master of Alabama Colored Masons.
Serving families throughout North Alabama and surrounding communities, Royal’s original location was in downtown Huntsville at 230 W. Holmes Avenue; and, later relocated to 118 W. Holmes Avenue where Mr. Binford ran the enterprise until his death in 1940.
In 1946, Mr. Lawrence B. Hundley, Sr. and Mrs. Amanda Rice Hundley purchased the funeral home from Mr. Binford’s widow, Mrs. Carrie Parker Binford. In 1969, The Hundley’s son-inlaw and daughter, Mr. James A. Jones, Sr. and Mrs. Barbara Hundley Jones purchased the funeral home, followed by the third generation, Mr. David W. Smith, Sr. and Mrs. Karen Jones Smith purchased the funeral home in 2000, the Smiths are the son-in-law and daughter of the Joneses.
The name Royal Funeral Home is synonymous with superior service. Its professional staff compassionately attends to the individual needs of each family. The newly renovated facility provides a warm, comforting atmosphere with a distinctive regal flair. A Royal funeral is noted as much for the attendee’s attire as the modern, pearl-white custom vehicles (less dreary, more uplifting). The gentlemen dress in black tuxedos, with black satin stripes down the legs and black bow ties. While, the ladies wear black dresses or suits, perhaps a strand of pearls, gloves and always adorned with distinctive hats.
The owners and staff are very much aware of the business’ historic significance. It is evident as they talk about the firm’s mission statement and the company motto, “When only memories remain, let them be beautiful™” coined by longtime owner, James A. Jones. www.royalfh.com
For more information about the Forever Royal 100 Anniversary Celebration Gala: visit www.foreverroyalgala.com Special guest entertainers include: Keke Wyatt, June’s Diary, Jai Love, and Alex Banks. Tickets for the gala may be purchased on the www.foreverroyalgala.com website, Mr. Shoes or Royal Funeral Home.