THE TRUSTED NAME IN FUNERAL SERVICE SINCE 1885

Charles Mortimer Brown, the first of three generations of Browns, came to Hedgesville from Frederick County, Va., near Gainsboro. He was a carpenter by trade. An ardent Republican, he served as postmaster in Hedgesville during the McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt administrations.

In those days, coffins were wooden boxes built by skilled carpenters or cabinetmakers. It was a natural step for a skilled cabinetmaker to decide to become an undertaker and manufacture his own coffins. Charles studied Mortuary Science in Baltimore, and opened his undertaking business on Mary Street in Hedgesville in 1885. Tradition states that he was a familiar sight as a professional, wearing a black leather bow tie. He was one of two undertakers in Hedgesville at the time, one to lay away the Democrats and one for the Republicans! C.M. died in 1924.

Howard Kyner Brown (1894-1976), son of Charles Mortimer, was born in Hedgesville in 1894 and attended Hedgesville High School. After serving in the military during WWI, he studied Mortuary Science in Philadelphia beginning in the fall of 1922. H.K. moved to Martinsburg, the present site of the business, in the spring of 1924, and remodeled this facility in 1941. It was here that Charles M. Brown was born in 1926!

Charles M. (Mortimer) Brown, Director and Licensee-In-Charge. Born on King St. in 1926, he graduated from Martinsburg High School in 1944. He graduated from West Virginia University in 1949, and then studied Mortuary Science in Cincinnati. Charles started working in the business officially after his discharge from the Navy in June 1946. During his years as a student at West Virginia University, he worked for his dad during the summer months. In 1952, he went to embalming school and was licensed in 1954. Charles has been a faithful servant and supporter of our community for decades.

Robert C. Fields, Funeral Director and Vice President /Owner, started with the funeral home in 1982. Bob is a native of Martinsburg and a graduate of Martinsburg High School. He attended Shepherd College and graduated from the Catonsville Mortuary College. Bob, and his wife Donna, have three sons who are attending Martinsburg High School and Shepherd University. He is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association and the West Virginia Funeral Directors Association, along with other local and national organizations.

Robert R. Rigot, (1981 - 2007) After 26 years of dedicated service to our community, Bob passed away June 19, 2007.

Brown Funeral Home wishes to thank Ethel Wayble Bovey for her contribution of historical information.

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