Georgetown Event Center brings new life to Jackson’s gathering spaces

Damian Murriel, owner of Jackson Memorial Funeral Services, has spent more than 20 years serving families across Jackson and Hinds County. Through that work, he noticed something deeper than grief, he saw a gap.

“I saw an opportunity for families to have a place to gather…a space that is centrally located in Jackson,” Murriel said. “That way, they don’t have to travel outside the city limits.”

That need wasn’t theoretical. It was something he witnessed time and time again while working with families during their most vulnerable moments. Whether planning repasts or trying to accommodate out of town relatives, many struggled to find a suitable space within the city.

“Sometimes they had to go outside of Jackson to get a facility to accommodate their family,” he said.

The Georgetown Event Center is his answer to fill the gap. The venue, located at 800 Woodrow Wilson Avenue, is designed to host everything from weddings and baby showers to church banquets and community gatherings, offering flexibility for both celebration and remembrance.

“We’ve built relationships with families over the years,” Murriel said. “So seeing that need, I wanted to focus on providing a space to better serve my clientele.”

The facility also represents reinvestment in a part of Jackson that many residents pass through daily but don’t always see developed to its full potential.

“I see every day the traffic flow and I see the need to reinvest in, revitalize, and keep the community in this area vibrant,” Murriel said.

 Born and raised in Jackson, and educated in Jackson Public Schools, Murriel’s connection to the city is personal. His success is tied to the same neighborhoods he now seeks to uplift.

“Jackson is my love,” he said. “I feel wholeheartedly that I will always have an invested interest in Jackson.”

Still, the road to opening Georgetown Event Center wasn’t easy. Like many entrepreneurs, Murriel faced challenges that tested both his patience and his faith.

“The path is not going to always be straight,” he said. “There are going to be some bumps and curves along the way.”

But those obstacles didn’t deter him. They refined his vision. When the ribbon was finally cut, it wasn’t just the opening of a building. It was the realization of years of persistence. That moment was shared  with his wife and other supporters.  

“It’s like running a race, when you finally make it to the finish line,” Murriel said. “That’s an awesome feeling.”

And while Murriel continues to expand his footprint, his foundation remains the same. At Jackson Memorial, he leads what he calls “Team 1000,” a staff committed to compassion and excellence.

For a city often defined by its challenges, Murriel’s work is a reminder of what’s possible when those who know the community best invest back into it. The Georgetown Event Center isn’t just a venue, it’s a step forward for Jackson, one that creates space, opportunity, and connection for the people it was built to serve.

For more information, call 601-969-9457 or email damian@jacksonmemorialfs.com.