five generations of excellence

Founded in 1908 by John Francis Brown, Brown Memorials is a fifth-generation monument company dedicated to the art and craft of fine memorial design. Early on, the company established a reputation for crafting a grade of memorial that few others could match, making them one of the most desirable monument builders in the southeast.

Each generation has left their mark, not only on the business, but on the North American monument industry. Second generation, Claude Brown, was a founding member of the industry’s most prestigious group, The American Institute of Commemorative Art (AICA). Third generation, Bill Brown, was considered a maverick in his day and served as president of the AICA and the industry’s largest group, The Monument Builders of North America (MBNA). Fourth generations, Claudia and Pat Brown, contributed equally. Claudia was the first female president of the AICA. Pat was an innovator of contemporary product lines and one of the first to directly import from quarries overseas.

The company is now led by fifth generations, Will Brown and Bran Oswalt. Will is a 2016 graduate of the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina. During college, he worked at one of the state’s largest granite interior businesses which gave him a unique perspective into the stone industry. He has used this experience to implement new production and logistical systems that enable Brown Memorials to provide a better service to clients.

Bran Oswalt, AICA, is the company’s lead designer. He joined the company in 2011, and his creative way of thinking and progressive yet simple design style quickly gained attention across the industry. Today, he is considered by his colleagues to be one of the best memorial designers in practice today. His creative designs have garnered him over 29 North American design awards in recent years, among the highest of any practicing memorial designer.