Our History
In 1938, Brown Service Insurance Company built a funeral home in Bessemer to honor the Brown Service Burial Policies that were sold along with other various insurance policies. Bessemer Brown was the only other funeral home in this area with the Jacob's Funeral Parlor located on 2nd Ave. When Jacob's was closed they moved all records to be serviced by Browns Bessemer. The funeral home only consist of the chapel, embalming room, two restrooms, an office, selection room and three visitation rooms located on the upper level. Many years had passed before any updates were made. In the late 60's to sometime near the 80's, the lobby was extended and two parlors added to the side of the chapel. The garage was extended to compensate for extra storage. The visitation rooms on the upper lever were later changes to current offices and new casket selection room. After many years and owners, Browns Funeral Home in Bessemer would change the name to Bessemer Brown Service Funeral Home.
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Harlan Turman, Manager/ Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer
Harlan has been involved in cemeteries and funeral homes for over 40 years. He has been a licensed funeral director and embalmer for over 30 years. Harlan and Brenda live in Gardendale, Alabama and attend Oak Grove Freewill Baptist Church. Together they have five children and eleven grandchildren.
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Jennifer Grace Hill, Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer
Jennifer has worked for Bessemer Brown Service for over 15 years. Jennifer is a licensed Funeral Director and Licensed Embalmer with an Associates in Applied Science Degree in Funeral Service from Jefferson State Community College. She grew up in Bessemer, AL in the small community of Lacy's Chapel. She's a member of Shady Grove Baptist Church. Jennifer has two children, Jordan and Meaghan. She currently lives in Bessemer.
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Gina Jones, Office Manager
Gina has worked in the cemetery and funeral industry for over 30 years. Gina is married to Jeff Jones and they have two children and six grandchildren. Gina is a graduate of Hueytown High School and lives in Hueytown, Alabama.
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Helen Wingo, Visitation Staff
Helen was born in Bessemer, AL in her grandmother’s home. She attended McNeil school to the 9th grade and then attended Hueytown High School until graduation. She has 4 children and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild. Helen attends Hueytown Baptist church. She has worked at Bessemer Brown service for over 20 yrs and enjoys it very much.
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Robbie Crane, Funeral Home Assistant
Robbie was born and raised in Bessemer, Alabama, October of 1971. She has two children and two grandsons. Robbie was a caretaker for the elderly for over 5 years. She worked for UAB Medical West as a Receptionist for 5 years and also a Pediatric office for 4 years. She love animals and kids. She enjoys working for the funeral home and hopes to be there for many years to come.
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Barry Kughn, Funeral Director/ Embalmer
Barry J. Kughn, native of Missouri, was raised in Anniston, Alabama where he resided most of his life . He began his career in the funeral profession at Rideouts Roebuck Chapel from 1971-1973p. He returned to Anniston and worked at Gray Brown/Service as manager from 1974-1981. He was co founder of Chapel Hill Funeral Home in Anniston from 1981-1983. He returned to manage Gray Brown-Service from 1983-1997. In 1997 he was co founder, co owner, and manager of Brown & Kughn Memory Chapel from 1997-2005. He served as Hospice Care Consultant with New Beacon Hospice in Anniston from 2005-2010. In 2010 he moved to Birmingham where he served as manager of Valhalla Funeral Home in Midfield, Al. From 2010-2018. From 2018- 2024 he worked with Crestview Funeral Home, Currie Jefferson Funeral Home, and presently works with Gamble Holding - Bessemer Brown Service. He received his 50 year pen from the Alabama Funeral Service in 2014 with a total of 55 years in service. He sang with a professional southern gospel group for 17 years and is an author. Mr. Kughn has 3 children, 7 grandchildren, and 3 great granddaughters. He is a member of Church of the Highlands-Grants Mill Road in Birmingham.
