Baker Funeral Home marks 100 years of caring for Fort Worth

Baker Funeral Home marks 100 years of caring for Fort Worth

Published on September 15, 2026

A Pullman porter for the Santa Fe Railroad, James Nathan Baker Sr. was a man in search of a better way to support his growing family.

Baker always encouraged other Blacks to become entrepreneurs. Following his own advice, he resigned from the railroad and went into partnership with his mother-in-law, Mattie Gaston Barnes, in their mutual hometown of Cleburne. There were no funeral homes for Blacks in Cleburne, so he and Barnes started Baker Funeral Home Inc. in the summer of 1917.

In 1922, Baker was licensed by the state of Texas as an embalmer. That same year, he hired his first full-time employee, Argoldia Sedalia Smith.

In his travels, Baker noticed that like in Cleburne, there were no funeral homes for Blacks in Fort Worth. In 1926, Baker opened Baker Undertaking Co. at 301 E. Rosedale St. in a two-story house owned by his father, the Rev. Henry Baker, founder of Baker Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church. (The church started at the funeral home location and later moved to 1050 E. Humbolt St.) Rev. Baker died in 1944 but was able to see his son become a successful funeral home operator.

Baker Funeral Home continued to grow in the 1930s. After a building expansion, Baker added a community ambulance service in 1932, and his brother opened a third funeral home, in Mineral Wells, in 1935. Together, the three businesses served African Americans across the region.

In 1938, Baker founded the Diamond Mutual Burial Association, which helped clients plan for funeral arrangements. Baker also started People's Burial Park, selling cemetery property at reduced costs.

The funeral home on Rosedale Street was once again remodeled and enlarged.

Baker's seven children had always helped the business. He retired in 1967, and after his death in 1970, his son Herbert Victor Baker became president. Under his leadership, the business continued to grow.

In 2004, Baker Funeral Home was recognized as a Texas Historic Landmark, and a marker was erected on the Rosedale property on the fringes of the Medical District.

Today, Baker Funeral Home is owned and operated by the third and fourth generations of family members who continue to uphold James Baker's commitment to service.

"For over 100 years, Baker Funeral Home has served as a connection for our community," said District 9 Councilmember Elizabeth Beck. "As the first Black-owned funeral home in Fort Worth, they ensured that members of the community were laid to rest with dignity. Reaching this incredible 100-year milestone, their history of service and impact deserves our acknowledgement and celebration."

Celebration of a century

Community members are invited to show up for a family that has spent generations showing up for Fort Worth. A 100-year anniversary reception is scheduled for 2-6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, at 301 E. Rosedale St.

Register to attend on Eventbrite.

Photo: James Nathan Baker Sr.'s acquisition of a cemetery complemented his broader role in funeral services in the region.

Photo: Today, Baker Funeral Home is owned and operated by the third and fourth generations of family members.

Photo: Baker Funeral Home was begun when an entrepreneur noted there were no funeral homes for Blacks in Fort Worth.

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