Finding a specific tribute in the sea of Lawrence A. Jones obituaries isn’t always as straightforward as a quick Google search might suggest. Honestly, it can be a bit of a maze. You’re likely here because you’re looking for a loved one, a piece of Kansas City history, or perhaps you're trying to track down a service time at one of the chapels.
The name Lawrence A. Jones isn’t just a person; it’s a massive legacy in the Midwest. Since 1950, Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapels has been a cornerstone of the African-American community in Kansas City. When you search for these obituaries, you aren't just looking for a date of death. You're looking into a repository of community stories that spans over 75 years.
The Kansas City Legacy You Need to Know
Most people don't realize that Mr. Lawrence A. Jones Sr. started polishing hearses and cleaning morgues at the age of 14. He was a visionary. Back in the 1950s, when there were dozens of black-owned funeral parlors in the area, he realized something critical: most of them died with their owners.
He didn't want that. He taught his sons the ropes, ensuring the business would outlast him. It worked. Today, the chapels are still family-owned, managed by Lindsay Jones, who actually moved back from Virginia to keep the flame alive after his mother passed in 2006.
When you look for Lawrence A. Jones obituaries, you’re often looking at records from one of two primary locations:
- The Missouri Chapel on East Linwood Blvd in Kansas City.
- The Kansas Chapel on North 5th Street in Kansas City, KS.
Where the Records Actually Live
If you’re hunting for a recent obituary (from the last few years), the best place is the official Lawrence A. Jones & Sons website. They have a dedicated "Tributes" section. It's updated frequently. You’ll find names like Mother Cornelia Jackson or Mr. Wendell E. Maddox Jr., often with digital guestbooks where people leave "tributes" or light virtual candles.
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But here is the kicker. Older records—we’re talking 1970s, 80s, or 90s—aren't always digitized on the main site.
For those, you have to get a bit more creative.
- Legacy.com: They partner with many funeral homes. If the official site is being finicky, Legacy usually has a mirrored version.
- Tribute Archive: This is a sleeper hit for finding older Kansas City death notices that might have fallen off the main funeral home's front page.
- The Kansas City Star Archives: If the family published a formal notice in the newspaper, it'll be here.
Common Misconceptions About These Obituaries
One thing people get wrong? Thinking every "Lawrence Jones" obituary belongs to this specific funeral home family. I've seen people get confused by Lawrence M. "Larry" Jones from Wichita or Lawrence J. Jones who served in the Battle of the Bulge. Those are different families entirely.
The Lawrence A. Jones & Sons records are specifically tied to the chapels founded by the late humanitarian Lawrence A. Jones Sr. He was famous for his "bring them in" policy. If a family couldn't afford a burial, he often did it anyway. That means the obituary archives for this home include people from every single walk of life in Kansas City.
How to Search Like a Pro
If you can't find the person you're looking for, try these specific steps:
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Vary the Name
Don't just search "Lawrence A. Jones obituaries." Try searching for the deceased person's name + "Lawrence A. Jones." For example, "Annie B. Davis Lawrence A. Jones obituary."
Check Both States
The chapels sit on both sides of the state line. Sometimes a person lived in Missouri but the service was handled by the Kansas chapel. Search both databases if the website allows filtering.
Use the Social Obituary Feature
The modern Lawrence A. Jones site uses "Social Obituaries." These are interactive. If you find the person, look at the "Memories" tab. Often, friends post photos there that weren't in the original newspaper clipping. It’s a goldmine for genealogy.
Real-World Logistics
If you are trying to attend a service found in one of the Lawrence A. Jones obituaries, double-check the location.
- Missouri Location: 1800 E Linwood Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64109. Phone: (816) 921-1800.
- Kansas Location: 2065 North 5th Street, Kansas City, KS 66101. Phone: (913) 371-2823.
They also recently celebrated a 75th Anniversary Gala in late 2025, which saw the relaunch of the LAJ Scholarship Fund. This tells you the business isn't just a place for the dead; it's very much involved in the future of the living in Kansas City.
Actionable Next Steps
If you’ve found the obituary you were looking for, here is what you should actually do with that information:
- Download a PDF copy: Websites change. If you’re doing family research, print the page to a PDF so you have the text forever.
- Sign the Guestbook: Even if it’s been a few months, families often receive email alerts when a new message is posted. It means a lot to them.
- Verify the Cemetery: Most Lawrence A. Jones obituaries will list the interment site. If you're visiting Kansas City, you can use that to find the physical headstone, often at Highland Cemetery or Blue Ridge Blvd locations.
- Call for Historical Records: If you are a genealogist looking for someone from the 1950s or 60s, don't be afraid to call the Missouri office directly. They maintain physical records that predate the internet.
Finding these records is about more than just a date. It’s about connecting with a community pillar that has been "Here For You" for three quarters of a century.