​Kings-Tears Mortuary

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Marker No: 12826

Aluminum 18 x 28 Subject Marker

Geographic: 30.270870,-97.725693

Location: 1300 East 12th Street, Austin

Marker Text: ​ In October 1901, William M. Tears opened the Tears Funeral Home at 614 E. 6th Street to provide mortuary services for African Americans in Austin and the surrounding area. Upon his death in 1923, his son William M. Tears, Jr. became manager of the firm. In 1933, Mr. and Mrs. Charles B. King opened King and Company (later King Funeral Home) at 1107 E. 6th Street. Tears relocated to this site in 1934, and King completed extensive remodeling in 1936. In 1955, these two historic east  Austin establishments merged to form the Kings-Tears Funeral Home. Continuing to operate at this site with expanded services and charitable works in the community, King-Tears remains an important part of Austin's heritage. (2002)