Progressive Funeral Directors of Alabama:

The Battle v. Liberty National Lawsuit

This page pays tribute to the families, owners, directors, and embalmers of the 9 trailblazing Black funeral homes who operated for years under severe systemic inequities. In a courageous stand for economic and civil justice, these leaders stepped ahead of the rest to sign their names to the historic Battle v. Liberty National Life Insurance Co. lawsuit filed in October 1975. Explore their enduring legacy of resilience and activism in Alabama's death care history.. 

The Nine Courageous Plaintiffs

Edgar H. Battle – The lead plaintiff whose determination cemented this case in United States civil rights and antitrust history.

Otis Armour Jr. – A dedicated professional who stood firmly against monopolistic practices to protect Black consumers and businesses.

Henry Cillie – A key champion for equity within the Alabama death care industry.

Eugene Ervin – A foundational member of the coalition who risked his livelihood to fight for economic justice.

Taylor Hodge, Jr.  – Representing a legacy of compassionate care and community leadership in coastal Alabama.

Howard & Odessa (Pitts) Johnson – A powerful husband-and-wife partnership dedicated to lifting their community and fighting systemic bias.

Rick "RL" Lumzy – A relentless advocate for fair business operations and professional dignity.

Simon T. Madden – A pillar of the community who recognized the vital intersection of business and civil rights.

A.C. Perryman – An essential leader whose commitment helped unify the Progressive Funeral Directors of Alabama.

Why This History Matters?

For decades, Black-owned funeral homes in Alabama operated under separate and unequal conditions, yet they served as safe havens and economic pillars for the Black community. By standing up to Liberty National, these nine plaintiffs didn't just fight an unfair insurance monopoly—they protected the right of Black families to bury their loved ones with dignity, choice, and honor.

Historical Context . . .

The Economic Fight for Dignity:

Understanding the Liberty National Monopoly

For decades throughout the 20th century, Liberty National Life Insurance Company and its partner, Brown-Service Funeral Homes Co., held a massive, suffocating monopoly over Alabama's death care industry. Liberty National sold millions of cheap "burial insurance policies" to citizens across the state. However, these policies explicitly required families to use a strictly defined network of "authorized" funeral homes to receive their full benefits. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Because of segregation and systemic exclusion, Black-owned funeral homes were routinely shut out of these profitable networks. If a Black family wanted to use an independent, Black-owned funeral director to bury their loved one with dignity, Liberty National would frequently penalize them—slashing the policy's value or refusing to pay a fair credit toward the merchandise. [1, 2, 3]

This anti-competitive pricing structure was a direct economic assault on Black entrepreneurs and families. In October 1975, the Progressive Funeral Directors of Alabama took a monumental stand. Led by Edgar H. Battle, these nine courageous plaintiffs filed a sweeping antitrust lawsuit under federal law, charging Liberty National with price-fixing, illegal tying arrangements, and unlawful monopolization. [1]

Their multi-year legal battle pushed all the way to a historic settlement, paving the way for independent Black funeral homes to break free from monopolistic control, be treated as "authorized" providers, and continue serving their communities on their own terms