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Don Boyd | all galleries >> Memories of Old Hialeah, Old Miami and Old South Florida Photo Galleries - largest non-Facebook collection on the internet >> 1940 to 1949 Miami Area Historical Photos Gallery - click on image to view > 1940's - Bess Funeral Home, 1326 N. W. 7th Avenue, Miami
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1940's Courtesy of Daniel Worth

1940's - Bess Funeral Home, 1326 N. W. 7th Avenue, Miami

Miami, Florida


Thank you to Daniel Worth for contributing this old image.


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Guest 02-Sep-2022 00:40
My grandmother passed away on 07-30-1962 - I received her death certificate today 09-01-2022 Certificate does not tell what cemetery was interred in and does not give cause of death- only that she was found at 4 p.m. on 07-30-1962 - she was 38 and married to Edward Fell with street address 1440 N.W. 15th St. Miami, FL. She worked as a waitress .

I would love to know how to retrieve any info about her burial please
Kathy Stringfellow 601-770-1132
Patricia M. Kolski 21-Jan-2022 05:12
Don I love your appreciation of history. Al worked at the Bess on 36th Street but just as staff. We started dating in 1958 and I would meet him there, often going to dinner at Muggie's (?) east on 36 St. By then though the original Mr. Bess had died. I had met his wife, Kathleen, who was running things. She lived on Belle Meade Island in Miami. I didn't know Bess had a place on 7th Avenue. Bess Memorial on 36 Street was sold to a church. I'm a history freak myself and was very disappointed when I came into the picture after Al's death in 1982 to learn that Ken Bess, Jr. didn't have the same interest in retaining history. I donated Combs records to the Historical Association of S.Fla, if I recall correctly. They have the hard cover ledgers and have placed everything on CDs. I do not think I found anything Bess related. I have seen viewers asking for Reid Lowe, who was a wonderful man. Al became licensed and worked for him for years. He and his family were at our wedding. Funny, but I have thought of him lately and wondered how they are. I see Judy replied to a post here. She was just a kid. Patricia M. Kolski, (Mrs. Alexander S. Kolski, dec'd) kolskilaw@bellsouth.net
Chuck 29-Jan-2016 20:57
I have the receipt of from them for the burial of Wayne Frankforther, Jr. from February 31, 1975 and his Purple Heart Medal and Ribbon. If you need further infomation, please email Chuck microreality@aol.com.
Tom Merchant 07-Mar-2014 05:50
I would like to know if anyone knows what the current status of the Bess Memorial Mortuary/Funeral Home on 36th Street is. I wondered if it was vacant by chance and could be purchased or rented and used as a residence. I would like to see it once again. I am looking for a closed former Funeral Home property in Miami, such Bess Memorial on 36th Street.
Daniel Worth 16-Jan-2014 02:52
I think that, unlike most of the old and long gone firms in Miami, Bess and maybe Combs records are on micro film at the Dada County Library. It seems to me that I heard many years ago that the collection of records from these 2 firms were donated to the library. The reference desk would be a good place to start.
Bethany 02-Dec-2013 17:36
Tammy did you ever get an answer to your question? I am also looking for records from this Funeral Home. Anyone have suggestions?
Tammy 02-Mar-2013 04:29
I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction. William Cook was view there. Is there somewhere that I find his record of burial. I called the cemetery the obit says he was buried in and they have no record of him. Any suggestions?

Thanks
Tammy
Guest 11-Dec-2012 15:23
Thomas E Merchant
Thomas E. Merchant 24-Apr-2012 21:22
I worked at Bess Memorial @ 1900 NW 36th Street in Miami. I went to Maimi-Dade, Jr. College, North and lived upstairs of the Funeral Home and worked the night shift while attending Miami-Dade's Mortuary Program. I am from Pennsylvnia. I enjoyed my time there. The last I heard when I last visited Miami was that the Funeral Home was no longer in business. That the IRS had came in on Ken Bess and things were sold. I was on board when Ken purhcased the Combs Funeral Home. I assisted in that period of time. I lived at Comb's certain days of the week and other days at Bess Memorial on 36th Street. I even purchased the 1970 Chevy Impala that Ken acquired with the purchase of the Comb's Funeral Home. Ken at that time had just opened the Miami Shore location. I even from time to time lived at the Miami Lakes locations. I went where I was needed. However, my main place of residency was 36th Street. I was not aware that Ken had passed away. I sure miss that place. I think of it often. I just graduated high school back then. I am now 60 years old.
jjbaron 20-Apr-2011 23:41
I am looking for family of Reid H. Lowe born 6-18-22
Lived at 15902 Kilmarnock Drive Miami Lakes, FL.
I have a historical document of interest for you.
Please send me a email note
JJ Baron
Art Funk 07-May-2010 20:30
The senior Mr. Bess died in 1954 if my sources are correct. That was when it was re-named Bess Memorial Funeral Home. His son Kenny and I were in Uncle Jimmy Hudson's homeroom at Miami Edison (c/o '59) and my recollection is that upon graduation Kenny became president of the funeral home. Kenny died quite young in 1997.
kinseeker26-Apr-2010 21:17
By the 1960s it became known as Bess Memorial Mortuary. Gerald Galbreath was one of the morticians during this time. When my grandfather died in 1962 Bess' ambulance responded and they took him away for embalming and shipment back to Missouri for burial.
Manocarz 10-Oct-2009 09:45
It is nice to hear from you Judy Lowe. I was wondering if Mr. Bess is still alive. I was hoping that more of the decendants of the old funeral families from Miami would write in with some of the history of the firms and possibly contribute some photo's of the old funeral homes to Don Boyd for this site. I have been collecting old Miami area funeral memoribilia for many years since I was raised in Hialeah. I later went on to practice in funeral service out of Miami until I retired. I sent this and most of the other pictures to Don from my collection. He has graciously posted them on this site. Do you have any other postcard photos or other photos of Bess, or Reid Lowe, or Lowe-Hanks Funeral Homes? Anyway, it is so good to hear from you. Thank you.
Judy Lowe 29-Sep-2009 15:18
This was my Great Uncle, Kenneth B Bess' Funeral Home. I lived in the building next to The Funeral Home from 1946-1951. My Father worked at the Funeral Home, Reid H Lowe