he era of modern-day Covington Casket Company begins in an unlikely way – with a pack of Lance Crackers. Johnny Williamson was a Lance route salesman. Back in the early 1970's, he sold Lance cookies and crackers to local store owners. One of his stops was a casket company on North Cotton Street in his hometown of Andalusia, Alabama. That casket maker began operations in 1924, having combined with a similar factory in Opp, just 20 minutes to the east. 

 

The men running Covington Casket took great interest in the salesmanship of the local Lance route salesman, Johnny Williamson, and ultimately hired him in 1971. Just six short years later, he acquired 50% of the company. Covington Casket was originally named Andalusia Casket Company. When the company was incorporated in 1945, the name was changed to Covington Casket Company.

Until December 2021, when Covington Casket moved to Andalusia's industrial park, the company continued operations at the North Cotton Street location, which is just north of Andalusia's historic court square. Covington began like most casket companies of that day, manufacturing cloth-covered woods. Caskets were packed in wooden boxes and shipped throughout the southeastern United States by rail and delivered to local funeral homes. In 1959, Covington Casket began manufacturing metal caskets. Mr. Williamson's son, Eddie, began working with his father in 1978. Mr. Williamson's younger son, Alan, now President and CEO, joined the company in 1987, and later that year, Johnny Williamson acquired the balance of the stock making him the sole owner of Covington Casket.

In December of 1993, Mr. Williamson lost his battle with cancer and the brothers took over as owners of the business. Later, Alan bought his brother's shares. Now, Alan and wife, Paula, are the owners of Covington Casket. Alan and Paula's son, Andrew, the third generation of the family to work for Covington Casket, is an intrigal part of operations as he is regularly on the road meeting with funeral directors and ensuring their customer experience is exemplary. Alan spent years on the road, learning first-hand the business and needs of funeral directors. He still enjoys getting on the road making deliveries and talking with his customers, pretty much unheard of for a CEO this day and time.

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In 2020, Alan purchased nearly new equipment from a Georgia manufacturer that was going out of business. Working with Andalusia's Mayor Earl Johnson and Andalusia's City Council, he exchanged the historic downtown North Cotton Street location for a massive building in Andalusia's Industrial Park. Alan expanded the building even more which, in addition to new state-of-the-art production lines, allowed Covington Casket to build a beautiful new showroom, have spacious warehouse facilities, and provide enjoyable space for employees. 

 

Covington Casket's production has more than doubled and new funeral homes are joining the Covington Casket network routinely. In addition, an entirely new product line, Covington Storyboards, pictorial and artistic panels that can be used in a casket or beside it, are now in production and available nationwide. 

 

So –– that red-topped jar with the blue words "Lance" on it, the one that sits prominently in Covington's Heritage Room, has more meaning than anyone would ever guess. Yes, indeed – Covington Casket's modern era started with a pack of Lance crackers. 

Alan and his team welcome you to stop by, take a tour –– and grab a pack of Lance crackers.