Homer Stembridge, 86, the last of the “Miami Furniture Twins,” died on Thursday, Oct. 7, at Aventura Hospital, just three days before his 87th birthday.
He is pre-deceased by his twin, Comer, who died Aug. 26, 2009, at the Miami Heart Institute on Miami Beach.
The Miami Furniture Twins started Edison Furniture Store in Miami 57 years ago with their father James George Stembridge in Miami’s Edison Center community.
Their motto was “Where Customers Send Their Friends.” Another feature is that they offered their customers for 57 years free delivery and credit with no interest or carrying charges. Thousands of new immigrants and long-term residents were able to establish their credit through the Edison Furniture Stores.
Homer and his twin were known fondly at national furniture markets as the “Miami Furniture Twins.”
Homer and Comer helped their brothers — George, Travis and John — start furniture stores in Homestead, Hollywood and North Miami. The Homestead store is operated by Steven Stembridge, Comer’s son and Homer’s nephew. The North Miami store, Stembridge Furniture, is owned and operated by John Stembridge, a former mayor of North Miami.
Homer and Comer were born Oct. 10, 1923, in Wicksburg, AL. They were the oldest of nine children, eight sons and one daughter, born to George and Johnnie Stembridge. The twins graduated from the Wicksburg High School, which was built in the community through their father’s leadership. Both served in the U. S. Army and were World War II veterans.
After service, Homer and Comer, worked for the General Motors Chevrolet plant in Indianapolis, IN, from 1947 to 1949.
The family moved to Miami in 1948, with the twins following in 1949. From 1949 to 1953 the twins worked for the Rhodes Furniture chain in Miami with Wallace Berry, manager.
Homer was a member of the Central Baptist Church in downtown Miami. Two of his favorite pastors were Dr. C. Roy Angel and Dr. Conrad Willard. His church had a rescue mission where Homer faithfully helped feed and clothe the homeless every Sunday morning for 25 years.
Homer was a strong pro-life, pro-family, and pro-American patriot. He faithfully supported organizations and political leaders who were committed to advancing these principles. Among these organizations were: the American Family Association, Focus on the Family, American Center for Law and Justice, Miami Rescue Mission, Liberty University in Virginia and Bob Jones University in South Carolina, Love Worth Finding, Trinity Broadcasting Network, and Dr. D. James Kennedy’s Coral Ridge Ministries and his “Reclaiming America” program.
In 1983, Homer and Comer donated the Family Life Center building at the South Dade Baptist Church in Homestead, FL, in honor of their parents.
Homer traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and numerous islands of the world. He particularly loved Israel, the Holy Land, and traveled there four times.
Homer is survived by his brothers Wilson in Samson, AL; Rudolph in Keystone Point, and John in Aventura, as well as 13 nephews and nieces, 29 great nephews and nieces, and 11 great-great nephews and nieces.
Homer’s service was held on Oct. 10 (his 87th birthday) at the Pilgrim Home Baptist Church in Wicksburg, AL.
