Our History
Mr. William Mallory Smith
established the William Mallory Smith Funeral Home in 1932. Being like many African American men during
his time he wanted to offer a much-needed service to his community and provide
for his family. With his strong desire,
financial resources, and creativity the William Mallory Funeral Home was
established. With his wife Mrs. Viola Larkin Brown – Smith helping him in
different capacities.
The original location of
the funeral home was located at 2 Radcliffe Street within the Historic City of
Charleston. In 1947, it became necessary to expand and renovate the funeral
home, so the business had to relocate to 151 Coming Street as renovation
occurred. While they continued to serve
the community in numerous ways.
Growing up at an early
age Mrs. Margaret Smith – Connors was inspired by her father’s business skills,
determination, and dedication in seeing his community succeed. She decided she wanted to become a funeral
director, so become more active in her father’s business by answering the
phones, taking messages and clerical duties.
She attended Reonard Training School of Embalmers in New York City to
enhance her skills and she completed all the course requirements and became a
licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director.
Seeing the excitement of
their father and sister, Mrs. Margaret Smith – Connor’s sisters Wilhelmina and
Juanita decided to join in making it a complete family affair. Each sister had their own special talent and
skill. Wilhelmina worked as the funeral
home beautician, Juanita worked as the recording secretary, and Margaret was
the embalmer and funeral director.
In February 1960, Mr.
William Mallory Smith transcended into rest from his building and his daughters
continued to work long and diligently, to keep their father’s dream alive by
providing, “Service with Serenity,
Sincerity, and Sensitivity.” Which is the motto we still stand on today.
In 1993, Mrs. Margaret
Smith – Connor and her sister brought in Mr. Bryan McNeal, Jr. He was a
Licensed Embalmer, Funeral Director, and Vice President at Harleston Boags
Funeral Home, Inc. He started out as a
part time to help them with the work load.
By May of 1996 it was
time for another renovation since the 1947 renovations. It took 6 months to complete, by November
1996. With the new look along came new
faces to the business. On December 29,
1996, Mrs. Margaret Smith – Connors and her sister Mrs. Juanita Smith – Jordan
had the Dedicatorial Services for the Renovation of the Wm M. Smith Funeral
Home and The William Mallory Smith Chapel at the 2 Radcliffe St. location. They also introduced the community to their
now new Manager Mr. Bryan McNeal, Jr. and Mrs. Delores M. Whaley, also from
Harleston – Boags Funeral Home and a retired public-school teacher as the new
Chief Clerk.
Mr. Bryan McNeal, Jr. gained
many relationships with people that would travel with him for the rest of his
life. As the Vice President at Harleston Boags Funeral Home he met Mrs. Delores
M. Whaley and encouraged her to get into funeral services, where she did at
Harleston – Boags and was able to complete her apprenticeship in funeral
directorship. They both give honor and
sincere gratitude to Mr. Grippon Boags for the knowledge and experience gained
while employed at Harleston Boags Funeral Home. In 1999, the now Wm M Smith
Funeral Home became incorporated. In
2001 Mrs. Margaret Smith – Connor made him a partner in the funeral home and it
became renamed to. W.M. Smith – McNeal Funeral Home, Inc. By October 2001
expansions were made by purchasing a new location this time. In December 2001 the Awendaw location was
dedicated.
On August 4, 2004, Mrs. Margaret
Smith – Connor made her transcending to be with her father, mother, and two
sisters. As Mrs. Margaret and her sister
had done before Mr. McNeal did the same he stepped up and continued to work
long and diligently, to keep the dream alive by continuing to provide “Service with Serenity, Sincerity and
Sensitivity,” while he served this now expanded community of Charleston and
Awendaw.
At an early age, Mr.
Samuel Gervais O. McNeal was inspired just as Mrs. Margaret Smith – Connor was
with her father, so did he with his father and Mrs. Smith – Connor in the
funeral home. He saw how what they did
changed lives as well as how much they did in support for their community. By the age of seven he was in the funeral
home anytime school was out, especially during the summer times. In 2015 he graduated from Gupton – Jones
College, his father’s alumni as the Salutatorian with a Science Degree in
Funeral Service Management. In 2017 he
completed his Apprenticeship under his father and became a Licensed Embalmer
and Licensed Funeral Director. His
father was excited and inspired by his hard work and dedication from the age of
seven up to an adult and honored him with partnership in 2018. Where he is now Vice- President of W.M. Smith
– McNeal Funeral Home, Inc.
Mr. S. Gervais O. McNeal
knows the history and understands the responsibility to preserve the legacies
of those who came before him, keeping the heritage alive, and most importantly
to continue to be determined and dedicated to seeing the success of his
community. He is excited to discover the roads ahead and how the history and
heritage will continue to play out.
Some of the Original
Employees of William Mallory Smith Funeral Home: 1932
Mr. Jessie Capers
Mr. James Dent
Mr. Robert Frasier
Mr. Harold Taylor
Mr. David Sanders
Mr. David Powell
Our Mission:
Here, at W.M. Smith-McNeal Funeral Home, we have a mission... a mission of quality service that is reflected in everything that we do. When families come to us for funeral services, they feel comfortable in expressing their wishes and discussing the options available to them. That's because it's all about family at W.M. Smith-McNeal Funeral Home. We personally make the decisions that affect the standard of service we provide. You can be sure that you will receive the utmost professional care from W.M. Smith-McNeal Funeral Home. Each of our funeral directors are licensed and experienced. We maintain the highest standards with careful attention to every detail. Each and every person on our staff plays an integral part in maintaining our reputation for personal attention and excellent service.
