EEOC Alleges Black Employees Barred from Restrooms at Memphis Cemetery

Lawsuit claims StoneMor GP LLC restricted access to upper-floor facilities for Black workers

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit against StoneMor GP LLC, alleging that the company's Memphis facility barred Black employees from using an 'upper floor' restroom and break room, limiting access to those facilities to only White employees. The lawsuit also claims the company suspended and fired a Black grounds-crew supervisor, Demarcus Benson, for complaining about the racial discrimination and for refusing to stop one of his Black subordinates from filing bias complaints.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing issues of racial discrimination and unequal access to basic facilities in the workplace, even in industries like cemeteries that may not typically draw scrutiny. The EEOC's lawsuit alleges clear violations of civil rights laws, raising concerns about the company's treatment of its Black employees and the potential for broader patterns of bias.

The details

According to the EEOC lawsuit, the dispute started in May 2022 when Benson, a Black supervisor, discovered that a lock had been placed on the door he and his Black subordinates used to access the upper-floor restroom and break room. These facilities were then restricted for use only by White employees. When Benson complained about the discriminatory policy, the company suspended and later fired him.

  • The dispute started in May 2022 when Benson discovered the lock on the door to the upper-floor restroom and break room.
  • Benson was suspended and later fired by the company after complaining about the racial discrimination.

The players

StoneMor GP LLC

A company that does business as Everstory Partners and operates cemeteries, including the facility in Memphis where the alleged discrimination took place.

Demarcus Benson

A Black grounds-crew supervisor at the Memphis facility who was suspended and fired after complaining about the racial discrimination against Black employees.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

The federal agency that enforces civil rights laws in the workplace and has filed a lawsuit against StoneMor GP LLC over the alleged discrimination.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

The takeaway

This case highlights ongoing issues of racial discrimination and unequal access to basic facilities in the workplace, even in industries like cemeteries that may not typically draw scrutiny. The EEOC's lawsuit alleges clear violations of civil rights laws, raising concerns about the company's treatment of its Black employees and the potential for broader patterns of bias.