Davidson Marble and Granite Works on Highway 49 South opened its doors just before the Covid-19 pandemic hit; however, it has been servicing Simpson County nearly 80 years through its Canton location.
“My grandparents started Davidson Marble and Granite in Kosciusko in 1937,” Sheaford Davidson stated during a recent interview. He and his wife Lori own and operate the long time family business with locations also in Vicksburg and Canton. The couple has two children, Sawyer, 8, and Sailor Grace, 2.
The Simpson location draws local residents as well as customers from surrounding areas. Davidson believes that drawing power is due in part to their location and people driving up and down Highway 49. Customers come from as far away as Hattiesburg and also Covington, Jefferson Davis, Rankin, Scott and Smith counties.
In addition, Davidson recently acquired seven additional monument companies that include locations in Kosciusko, Forest, Carthage, Meridian and De Kalb. “I’m not expanding anymore.”
Davidson recently hired new manager Misty Lucas for the Simpson County location. With this new hire and the newly acquired monument companies he expects to be on the road a significant amount of time. However, he is looking forward to the day when his base of operation will be Canton.
Customers can expect thorough and complete service from start to finish from the cemetery location to the headstone color of granite, approved drawings and finally the finished product.
“The color of granite alters the price. We’re going to find out if you’re looking for a single monument for one person or a double for two,” Davidson said, adding, “Most customers select gray granite.” Davidson uses a company out of Georgia for all his gray granite monuments as it is the most economical. Costs vary depending upon the order but one example is that a single headstone can range from $1,000 to $1,400.
Turnaround on the initial drawing is about two weeks and a deposit is required. Only with the customer’s approval will the manufacturer proceed. Headstones take approximately three to five months to complete once approval of the drawing is granted.
“We’ve got a really good team.” Davidson invites residents of Simpson County and surrounding areas to visit Davidson Marble and Granite on Highway 49 South just north of Magee city limits. The phone number is 601-867-1496 and their website is www.davidsonmarbleandgranite.com.
