Advertisement
Join the African American Historical Society of South Central Pennsylvania as we dedicate a new historical marker honoring the Spencer F. Wilkerson Funeral Home and the remarkable family behind it.In 1957, World War II veteran Spencer F. Wilkerson Sr. established the Spencer F. Wilkerson Funeral Home at 502 South Christian Street, serving Lancaster families for decades and becoming an important part of the city’s African American community.
Spencer served during World War II with the 28th Cavalry, 2nd Cavalry Division, one of the famed Buffalo Soldier units. His wife, Ruby Mae Wilson Wilkerson, served overseas with the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the groundbreaking all-Black, all-female Women's Army Corps unit responsible for clearing an enormous backlog of mail for American servicemen and women in Europe.
Their story is also a love story. While both were serving overseas, Spencer and Ruby reunited in France and married in Rouen on October 10, 1945, followed by a honeymoon in Paris.
Exactly 81 years later, on October 10, 2026, we will gather at the site of their former South Christian Street funeral home to honor their legacy.
The dedication ceremony will feature special guest speakers, representatives of the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club, and the unveiling of the new historical marker. Together, we’ll celebrate not only a historic African American business, but two World War II veterans, a family, and their decades of service to the Lancaster community.
Free and open to the public.
With Special Thanks
We gratefully acknowledge Heart to Heart Ministry, SACA, and Samuel I. Minder Nurseries for helping make this special commemoration possible. We appreciate their partnership in honoring the Wilkerson family and preserving the history of Lancaster’s Southeast community.
Advertisement
Event venue
502 S Christian St, Lancaster, PA 17602, United States
Tickets
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.