The Estate Sale Specialists
~ All About US ~
You have to have a lot of nerve to call yourself the Estate Sale Specialist. And we do. It is not from inflated egos, it's from what Liz's Dad used to call, an education learned at the University of Hard Knocks. We have many years of experience learning the ins and outs of the antiques business. It has positioned us well to handle the vast array of headaches that can occur when an entire house is to be cleared. And this is what we are paid to do. We take on that burden, so the client can go on with his/her life. (We take pride in the process, but we have fun along the way!)
The Beginning
Estate Sale Specialists was the brainchild of Mary Lawrence, one of the Jackson area's most highly regarded antiques dealers. Since opening Deja Vu Antiques in 1974, Mary had conducted occasional estate sales, but it was never her primary focus. With Elizabeth Cox and Cecil Jennings, she decided to create an estate sale company based on her strong work ethic and well deserved reputation for honesty. Now semi-retired, Mary serves as our CEO emeritus and frequent consultant.
Our Backgrounds
Elizabeth Cox received a B.S. from Mississippi State University and a M.A. in history from Mississippi College, then taught school for several years. While still teaching, she fell in love with all things antique. Her antiques business experience began in the early 1970s selling at local flea markets. With Mary Lawrence, she opened Deja Vu Antiques, which was a south Jackson fixture for thirteen years. She then traveled the South, buying and selling antiques. She sold prime merchandise at antique shows in Dallas and Atlanta. Liz apprenticed in the estate sale business with Michael J. Coco, Jackson estate sale pro, antiques appraiser, and all around great guy. In the late 1990s, Liz began selling antiques and collectibles on eBay, which was (and still is) an antiques education that money can not buy. Knowledge of obscure items that have shockingly high value is a real asset when appraising the contents of a home.
Cecil Jennings graduated from Delta State University with a B.S. in business. He then went into the family business, Jennings Antiques of Cleveland, MS. In 1983, he moved to Jackson to join the Visual Department of Gayfers where he worked until 1991. During this time, he also worked antique shows for Jennings Antiques and later with Cliff Fewel Antiques of Jackson. For several years he partnered with William Box in interior design. Cecil's antiques are now sold through High Street Antique Market in Jackson. His background in antiques, visual merchandising and interior design have been invaluable to Estate Sale Specialists.
Our Inspiration
Since our estate sale business deals so much with the needs of older folks, we thought we would introduce you to two of our favorite senior citizens, our moms.
Mary Beall Cox
by Liz Cox
Mary Cox retired from secretarial work in 1986 and soon found herself selling antiques for Deja Vu Antiques. (We have always been big on free labor.) Before long, she was at the Jackson flea market, selling her own silver and glassware. She is legendary in the local antiques scene, with her tireless selling and ever present smile. Now age 92, she still has a booth at the local flea market and is as sharp as ever. She is not only an inspiration to me, but to everyone she meets.
Mary Rose Jennings
by Cecil Jennings
Mary Rose Jennings was a nurse in Cleveland, MS and also worked in the family antiques business. When she retired, she moved to Jackson where she lives across the street from me. She is now 82, and works at our estate sales where, of course, she argues with me about everything. We have a great relationship even though I pick on her constantly. (My sister Rita and brother-in-law Bobby also work our sales, so we have her outnumbered.) She is a dear lady who spoiled me rotten, but don't tell her I said that.
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