In March, 1954, the members of the Class at Gupton-Jones in Nashville and members of the faculty who chose to do so were transported to the campus of the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science in Dallas, Texas, thus these two fine respected names in mortuary science education were merged. In June, 1969, the long dreamed of move into the southeast to Atlanta, Georgia, was accomplished and once again, GUPTON-JONES COLLEGE OF MORTUARY SCIENCE, as it was named by that time, was re-established as an individual, approved, and accredited school with all its rich history.

The first Atlanta home was a temporary one and the first class, enrolled in a night program, was made up of twenty-nine young people. In the projection of enrollment and growth, the board had anticipated only a few students to enter in the September Class, also a night program, but again, a record number of twenty-five matriculated into GUPTON-JONES COLLEGE.  

With this reception of the Atlanta based school, the Board had to speed up the projected move into larger quarters, especially since the first regular daytime courses were to be enrolled.  Early in 1971, GUPTON-JONES classes were held on the fifth floor of 1330 West Peachtree Street, a facility which offered larger quarters renovated for the purpose of mortuary science education.  These facilities were anticipated to be sufficient for use for at least five years, perhaps longer.

It soon became apparent however that the move to a much larger campus would be necessary as enrollments continued to increase.  In September, 1974, the Board of Trustees authorized the purchase of property at 280 Mt. Zion Road and I-75, on which was excellent parking and which was located in a semi-residential area, accessible to shopping, the Hartsfield  International Airport, hotels, restaurants, etc., as well as to public transportation.  It was the ideal new home location.

With the inclusion of many subjects in the social science areas such as psychology, sociology and counseling, the name was changed in 1980 to GUPTON -JONES COLLEGE OF FUNERAL SERVICE, thus reflecting the type and quality of education offered by the College.  In 1982, authorization was awarded to the College to grant the Associate of Science Degree in Funeral Service.  The authorization was granted by the Georgia Department of Education and with it, GUPTON-JONES truly became a full service institution dedicated solely to the purpose of funeral service education.

By the mid-1980’s as a result of the continued growth of GUPTON-JONES COLLEGE, it became clear that the existing facilities were fast becoming inadequate to meet the needs of the College family. In 1984, the facility at 280 Mt. Zion Road was extensively remodeled, adding a new library, class-room space and staff offices. The College enjoyed its newly enlarged facility for several years until, again it became obvious through continued growth that a new home for GUPTON-JONES COLLEGE was needed.  

After an exhaustive search, a 3.4 acre property was purchased in the Snapfinger Woods Park of Dekalb County, Georgia.  A beautiful new state-of-the-art facility was designed by a prominent funeral service architect.  The Ground Breaking Ceremony for the new home of the College was held November 14, 1991.  Construction began shortly thereafter, with the move into the new facility taking place August 26-28, 1992.  On Sunday, October 4, 1992, the formal Dedication of the new facility took place during an afternoon Open House.

Board of Trustees John W. Firestone Chairman Nancy Pierce Barber Vice Chairman Maureen Julian Member

President  Patty S. Hutcheson

Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service
5141 Snapfinger Woods Drive, Decatur (Atlanta), Georgia 30035-4022
(770) 593-2257 or 800-848-5352  Fax (770) 593-1891
E-Mail gjcfs@mindspring.com

Hosted by WeDesignWebs © 2003