BROWN FAMILY
A family that prays together, stays together.
Our Heritage
It is believed that sometime in the 1800s, Dave and Hettie Williams Brown were born in what is now known as Barnwell County, South Carolina. They came of age during a difficult and uncertain period in our nation’s history. Life during those times was undoubtedly hard and trying for our family, yet even in hardship, love endured and faith sustained them.
To our knowledge, it is unknown whether Dave Brown had any siblings. Hettie Williams, however, was one of seven children. Her siblings were:
-
Agnes Williams Hankerson
-
Elizabeth Williams Owens
-
Eliza Williams Payton
-
Ben Williams
-
Daniel Williams
-
Manzie Williams
Dave and Hettie Williams Brown were the proud parents of nine children: Leon, Luke, Florence, Marie, Chester, Louise, Lexie, Mozelle, and Ezekiel. These children were nurtured in family love, grounded in Christian fellowship, and raised with values that continue to guide the Brown family today.
From the Backyard
In August of 1973, Sister Ola Mae Brown Hankerson and Brother Dave Brown, grandchildren of the late Lexie Brown, came together and made a decision that would forever shape our family history. They chose to host what became the very first Brown Family Reunion. What began as a simple idea became the start of something truly great and meaningful.
There comes a time in all our lives when we must pause and ask ourselves who we are and where we come from. Learning our history allows us to appreciate the precious gem that is known as the Brown Family. The importance of passing family history from one generation to the next was surely on the hearts and minds of Dave Brown and Ola Mae Brown Hankerson in 1973.
Up to that point, the family often gathered only during times of sorrow—illness or death. They wanted something different. They wanted a time of joy, unity, remembrance, and celebration. That desire gave birth to the Brown Family Reunion, and the rest is history. The first Sunday in August was set aside as our official reunion day.
A tradition was born, and from that moment forward it continued to grow, spreading to cities across South Carolina, Florida, Washington, D.C., Maryland, Delaware, and Alabama. The first weekend in August is now proudly recognized as Brown Family Reunion Weekend. We thank God for our family fellowship, for relatives near and far, and for the friends who continue to join us year after year.
Reunion Locations
Closing Legacy Statement
From a single backyard gathering to a multigenerational tradition spanning decades and states, the Brown Family Reunion stands as a testimony to faith, love, and unity. We honor those who laid the foundation, celebrate those who carry the torch today, and look forward with pride to the generations yet to come.