Evelyn Brown's Wish: The Brown Family Cemetery Project

Before: Summer 2024

After: December 2024

12-7-24 New Updates Below & Photos

This project is incomplete pending additional donations

Hello, I'm helping the Brown family gather funds for a cemetery project to honor loved ones and improve the current gravesite conditions. The Brown gravesite at Old Tennent cemetery has 6 loved ones buried in a small space, and really needs your help funding this project.

Evelyn and Charles were married for over 40 years, had 12 children, 28 grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren. They dedicated their lives to their family and the footsteps for future generations.

Sadly, over the years, numerous family members have passed away, and the Brown family has been impacted by health issues and increased financial struggles. Charles Brown, my grandfather, passed away in 1977 (61), leaving Evelyn to be the strength and glue that held her family together until her death in 2001 (86). Prior to her death, she lost her youngest son David in 1995 (43), who is also at the same gravesite.

My grandmother Evelyn was always so loving and humble, she talked to her children often about having the monument raised. This was Evelyn's wish, and after her death, family members wanted to make it come true but were overwhelmed and not able to organize the project on their own. It has been over 2 decades since her death and she is missed every day.

Unfortunately, in the years after her death her 3 sons passed away, leaving only 8 daughters in the family. Her sons Teddy and Ritchie and grandson Frankie's cremains were added to the gravesite as well, making the space very challenging and increasing the project costs. Charles "Chuck" Arnold Brown passed away in 2018 and also at Old Tennent cemetery.

After talking to a monument company and cemetery manager, I created a gravesite plan and initiated the project, design, and funding as a way to give back to the Brown family. The monument company has visited the cemetery site several times in the past year to measure, confirm the base size needed for the monument base, and to lift the sinking monument.

We all want to visit the gravesite to honor our loved ones in peace and with integrity by preserving the cemetery grounds, maintaining the gravesite, respecting the landscape, and keeping it a sacred place for all.

Let us always remember the Brown family by celebrating their life, sharing stories and photos, and coming together as a family for this project and always.

Project Details:

- Clear gravesite of all remaining decorations and save in a box

- Return sentimental items to family by request

- Raise the current monument by adding a matching granite base

- Replace deteriorated name tags for the 3 family member cremains at the gravesite

- Clean monument (professionally)

- Maintain gravesite (remove dead flowers, no glass vases/decor, avoid duplicate decorations, remove broken or deteriorating decorations, replace seasonal decorations, replace or fix distressed grave markers, and always respect the gravesite and each other)

-Contribute to an annual family holiday grave blanket $5 each

***The $750 fundraiser only covers the monument base cost ($625 Contract) and 3 new grave nameplate tags to replace the damaged grave markers (Approx. $50 each).

**Additional granite grave markers for 2 sons and 1 grandson can be discussed at a later date for an added cost, estimated from the monument company, and with the cemetery approval for size, location, and permits.

*Any funds raised over the goal will be added to the Brown family future cemetery project and documented.

Please help honor Evelyn's wishes and make a donation. The total project may take a few months once the monument base cost is paid.

-Photos and updates will be added - see below

-Family members can reach out to me directly with any questions

-Monument contract (11-4-24) upon request

Sincerely,

Lisa

Updates

11-3-24:

-I visited the gravesite and volunteered to organize this cemetery project. I removed 1/2 of the decorations and saved them.

11-9-24:

Today I cleared the gravesite and leveled the ground. Remaining decorations have been saved.

11-23-24:

The monument base was ordered and will be installed by Christmas in approx 1-2 weeks. After the base is installed a Holiday grave blanket can be purchased as a family group and put on the grave site. Nothing can be placed at the gravesite until the base is installed. I would love to see family come together to support this project. Family members can make payments over 6-12 months to help fund this project. If payments are made offline, family names will be added to the Go Fund Me page. Ideally, I am asking each living daughter (8) to make a $75 contribution to this project. Payments for 6 months is $12.50, and 12 months it is $6.25 each person monthly. After the money is collected and paid in full, I will move forward to order the 3 name plates. If the $750 goal above is not reached the name plates will not be ordered and the project will remain incomplete. Any family member or kind person who wants to help the Brown family can make a donation, all contributions are greatly appreciated!

11-26-24:

If any family members have questions they can contact me directly and discuss privately. My concerns are the fabricated stories being told regarding this project and loved ones getting hurt after a hostile text message was sent to my 82 year old mother. This is a project I initiated and did not throw any decorations away. As stated above, I have them saved and will return them to family members. Additionally, I will be sending immediate family members a copy of this information to clarify any falsities being told. Any negativity and hostile behavior of any kind will be reported as harassment. This is a good faith project to honor my Grandmother's Wish!

12-7-24:

The monument base was installed on Tuesday 12-3-24. I visited the cemetery today and very satisfied with URAS Monument company in Manalapan. They have been very professional in assisting me with several family projects at the cemetery, and worked with me on this project over the past year to raise the sinking monument. It was very emotional after all these years to finally see my Grandma's wish come true, and as prices increased over the years I'm glad I didn't wait any longer. All family members can visit the gravesite in peace and see the importance of this project. I am hoping additional family members will contribute, so I can complete this project. I'm grateful for my mom and Aunt Betsy who didn't hesitate to donate and helping to share the Go Fund Me.

12-7-24: I also purchased a Christmas blanket for the gravesite for $50. This is from Olive, Betsy, and I who contributed to the project. If anyone else wants to be involved in the Christmas blanket annually please donate $5. Every year I will make sure this family tradition continues.

12-7-24: In the Spring, the monument will be professionally cleaned to remove the dirt stains without compromising the engraving. You can see the dirt stains as the monument sunk and topsoil was added in the enclosed brick area compromising the granite monument over the past 47 years. Gravesite maintenance throughout the year and a flower garden will be discussed in the Spring. Any questions please contact me.

All the Best, Lisa