Our History
In the heart of Columbia, South Carolina, A. A. Dicks Funeral Home stands as a beacon of support and compassion, offering solace to families during their most challenging moments. This family-owned and operated funeral home has been a trusted name in the community, renowned for its dedication, professionalism, and heartfelt care.
A Foundation of Dedication, Family Tradition, and Pastoral Care
Anthony A. Dicks, Sr. brings over fifty-three years of experience to the funeral service industry, where he has been a guiding force in Columbia. His expertise and leadership have shaped the compassionate and professional care that A. A. Dicks Funeral Home is known for, making it a cornerstone of support for families in the community. He gained valuable experience at Palmer Memorial Chapel while earning his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Economics from Benedict College and an associate’s degree in Funeral Service from Gupton-Jones College in Atlanta, Georgia.
In 2000, Anthony purchased and renamed the Sullivan Funeral Home, establishing A. A. Dicks Funeral Home Sullivan Chapel. The business expanded with the acquisition of Promised Land Cemetery in 2006. In July 2010, Anthony and his family renovated the old Krispy Kreme Donut building at 2548 Main Street, Columbia, SC., which was the interim home of A. A. Dicks Funeral Home. A. A. Dicks Corporation purchased 6400 North Main Street Columbia in September 2021, which is the new home of A. A. Dicks Funeral Home. The Original Blue Ribbon Cab Company, the first African-American-owned Cab Company in Columbia, formerly owned this property. Mr. Dicks renovated the ten thousand square foot building on this two-acre tract transforming it into a spacious state-of-the-art funeral service facility. This transformation underscores the family's commitment to providing modern, accessible facilities while maintaining their legacy of compassionate care.
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Pastor A. A. Dicks Sr., Funeral Director/Embalmer
Anthony A. Dicks, Sr., is a seasoned funeral director, embalmer, and licensed pre-need insurance provider with over fifty years of experience specializing in mortuary science and post-mortem restoration. His philosophy, “I am a funeral service needs problem-solver,” underscores his commitment to comfort during difficult times. Alongside him is a dedicated team, ensuring each family's unique needs are met with the highest integrity and excellence in service. Beyond his role in the funeral home, Anthony has also been the Pastor of the Friendship Baptist Church in Columbia, South Carolina, for the past forty-two years, reflecting his deep commitment to pastoral care and the fact that his tradition runs strong in his family. He is married to Denise J. Dicks, and they have four children, three of whom have followed in their father's footsteps as ministers of The Gospel, continuing the family's legacy of spiritual leadership and service. This dedication to pastoral care and community support, both through their ministry and their work at the funeral home, makes A. A. Dicks Funeral Home a trusted and respected institution in Columbia.
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Tony Bowers II, Executive Assistant
Tony is a proud graduate of C.A. Johnson High School and continued his education at Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Decatur, GA. A devoted father of four, he is an active member of Fellowship Bible Baptist Church in Warner Robins, GA. With 15 years of experience in the funeral service industry, Tony currently serves as the Executive Assistant to the Funeral Director. As part of our team, he is committed to providing comfort and compassion to the families we are privileged to serve.
