Dealing with loss is heavy. It's confusing. When you start looking for king tears mortuary obits, you’re usually not just looking for a name and a date. You’re looking for a connection, a memory, or maybe just the logistics of how to say a final goodbye to someone who mattered.
Most people think finding an obituary is as simple as a quick Google search, but for a historic institution like King-Tears Mortuary, Inc., there’s a lot of depth you might miss. This isn't just a business; it’s a pillar of the Austin, Texas community that has been around since 1901. Yeah, over 120 years.
Honestly, if you're searching for "King Tears" in Las Vegas, you might be hitting a common snag. While there are plenty of funeral homes in Nevada, the legendary King-Tears Mortuary is deeply rooted in the heart of East Austin.
Why the History of King-Tears Actually Matters
You can't talk about these obituaries without talking about William M. Tears, Sr. Back in 1901, he started what is believed to be the first Black-owned funeral business in the state of Texas. Think about that for a second. In an era where even the act of burying the dead was segregated and difficult, Tears created a space of dignity.
Eventually, the Tears family merged with the King family in 1955. That’s how we got the name we know today. When you read king tears mortuary obits, you’re reading the end of a chapter in a book that’s been writing itself for over a century. It's about legacy.
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How to Find the Specific Obituary You Need
If you are looking for a recent passing, like Erna Ates Berry (1942–2025) or Ada Marie Jones (1940–2026), the official website is your best bet.
- Go straight to the source. The mortuary maintains a digital archive of those "In Our Care."
- Use the search filter. You can usually sort by first name or the year of passing.
- Look for the "Read More" link. This is where you’ll find the beautiful, long-form stories—like the one for Elma "La Gorda" Villarreal, who was famous for her infectious laughter.
Sometimes the local papers like the Austin American-Statesman or platforms like Legacy.com mirror these records, but the mortuary’s own site often carries the most personal details, including specific viewing times in the Alice T. King Chapel.
Logistics You’ve Probably Overlooked
Planning a service is a whirlwind. If you're the one organizing, you've probably realized that king tears mortuary obits are just the tip of the iceberg. The mortuary offers a range of burial packages, typically starting around $9,245 for a basic setup which includes things like the concrete box and a temporary grave marker.
Advanced packages go up from there, often hitting over $10,000 when you add in things like livestreaming for family members who can’t make the trip to East 12th Street.
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More Than Just a List of Names
It’s easy to get lost in the dates. Born 1952, died 2025. But when you look at someone like Inez Henry, who passed recently, the obituary reminds us that she viewed life through the lens of miracles. That’s the "human" part of the SEO search. These aren't just records; they are tributes.
People often ask if they can plant trees or send flowers through these digital obits. Yes, you can. Most of these online pages have direct links to local florists or memorial tree programs. It's a way to do something when you don't know what to say.
The Las Vegas Confusion
Let's clear this up once and for all because it happens a lot. If you're in Nevada and searching for "King Tears Mortuary," you're likely looking for a local spot like Bunker’s Memory Gardens or La Paloma. But if you specifically need the "King-Tears" legacy, your heart and your search should be directed toward Austin.
The staff there, led by folks like Stuart King and Sonja Corbin-King, handle everything from traditional burials to cremations. They’ve seen the city change around them, but the mortuary at 1300 East 12th St. remains a constant.
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Actionable Steps for Finding Records
If you're struggling to find a specific person, don't just keep refreshing the search page.
- Call them directly: (512) 476-9128. They are known for being incredibly helpful over the phone, 24/7.
- Check the physical location: If you're local, visiting the 12th Street location can sometimes yield information from their physical archives that hasn't been digitized yet.
- Consult the Texas State Cemetery: Since King-Tears is located within a half-mile of several major cemeteries, their records often overlap with municipal burial data.
Essentially, finding king tears mortuary obits is about patience. Whether you're researching genealogy or looking for the funeral time for a friend like Curtis Strahan Jr., these records are a bridge between the past and the present.
Check the "In Our Care" section on their homepage first. It's updated frequently and serves as the most accurate registry for the families they are currently serving.