As Jackson Mortuary celebrates its 100th anniversary this summer, members of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. took time to recognize not only the historic Wichita business, but also the family and staff who have carried its tradition of service forward.
Members of Sigma Gamma Rho, its Gamma Chi Sigma Chapter and Philo Affiliates gathered Aug. 2 with members of the Jackson family and Jackson Mortuary staff at Wichita State Connect for an intimate celebration honoring the mortuary’s century of service.
Founded in 1926, Jackson Mortuary is Wichita’s longest-standing Black-owned businesses. For five generations, the family-operated mortuary has served Wichita families, helping generations navigate some of life’s most difficult moments while building a legacy rooted in compassion, professionalism and community service.
The sorority’s celebration offered a chance to recognize the people behind that legacy.
Gamma Chi Sigma President Schaunta James-Boyd welcomed the Jackson family and staff to the event, which included a dinner provided by Sigma Gamma Rho. Organizers said they wanted to give employees and family members an opportunity to step away from their daily responsibilities and simply enjoy being celebrated.
During the afternoon, guests shared stories, memories and laughter as they reflected on Jackson Mortuary’s impact on generations of Wichita families.
“For Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, celebrating Jackson Mortuary was a way to say thank you and recognize an institution whose 100 years of service have made a lasting impact throughout the community,” James-Boyd said.
The sorority also presented the Jackson family with a keepsake canvas recognizing five generations of family leadership.
Reaching the century mark is particularly significant for a Black-owned family business. Jackson Mortuary opened in 1926, during an era when segregation and discrimination severely limited opportunities for Black entrepreneurs. A century later, the business remains family operated and an important part of Wichita’s Black history.
For Sigma Gamma Rho and its Philo Affiliates, the gathering was a chance to thank the Jackson family and staff for that century of service — and celebrate a legacy that continues.
