Tragedy and Tribute: Remembering Robert Garrison Brown from ‘Sister Wives’

The article explores the tragic death of Robert Garrison Brown, a former "Sister Wives" cast member, highlighting his funeral as a moment of family reunion amidst grief. It delves into his military service, business endeavors, and the tributes from his family, while also addressing his personal struggles and the family's journey through mourning. The piece underscores the importance of mental health awareness and support.
SummaryThe article discusses the tragic death of Robert Garrison Brown, a former “Sister Wives” cast member, who died by suicide at the age of 25. His funeral served as a poignant reunion for the estranged Brown family in Flagstaff, Arizona. Garrison, who was a Staff Sergeant in the Army National Guard, was remembered for his military service and his small business, Bob’s Floral. His family, including his mother Janelle and siblings, have been honoring his memory on social media through heartfelt tributes. Janelle, while coping with the loss, is launching a new business in his honor. The piece also touches on Garrison’s struggles with addiction and personal issues before his death, as well as the family’s individual ways of grieving. It concludes with a reminder about mental health resources for those in need.

Trigger Warning

This article discusses sensitive topics, including suicide, which may be distressing for some readers. Please proceed with caution or refrain from reading if you find such content triggering.

A Tragic Reunion: The Funeral of Robert Garrison Brown

The funeral of Robert Garrison Brown, a former cast member of “Sister Wives,” brought together a family that had been distant for years. Garrison, who was only 25 years old, was found deceased in his home in Flagstaff, Arizona, by his younger brother, Gabriel Brown. Initially, the cause of his death was undisclosed but was eventually confirmed as a suicide. Garrison had appeared on the reality TV show alongside his mother, Janelle Brown, and father, Kody Brown, since 2010. He had aspirations of joining the Army but ultimately enlisted in the National Guard in November 2015.

Photos from Garrison’s funeral captured poignant moments of family reconciliation after years apart.

Honoring Garrison’s Service

The Nevada National Guard shared images from Garrison’s memorial service, held on March 24, 2024, on their Facebook page. Garrison served as a Staff Sergeant in the Army National Guard and was a proud CAV Scout. The photos depicted mourners, including his mother, Janelle, who was seated with her son, Hunter Brown. Robyn Brown sat nearby with Kody, while David Woolley and his wife, Christine Brown, were also present.

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Remembering Garrison: A Family’s Tribute

Family Memories and Tributes

During the service, the Nevada National Guard presented Janelle Brown with a flag in recognition of Garrison’s military service. Several attendees wore floral Hawaiian shirts in memory of Garrison’s small business, Bob’s Floral, an online Hawaiian shirt venture he started in 2019, which unfortunately closed during the pandemic.

Following Garrison’s passing, the Brown family has been commemorating his life on social media. Hunter shared childhood photos, while Janelle posted heartfelt tributes in collaboration with Kody. She reflected on family moments, including a cherished photo with her six children, their partners, and grandchildren. Christine remembered Garrison as a loving brother, sharing an image of him helping build a flower bed for Truely Brown. Savanah Brown, Garrison’s youngest sister, paid her respects on Instagram, expressing how she is reminded of him by the night sky or when making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Janelle’s Heartfelt Reflections

Coping with Loss

Janelle Brown continues to grapple with the immense loss of her son. Despite the emotional devastation, she has shown remarkable resilience. Before Garrison’s untimely death, Janelle was actively trying to support him. She became concerned after hearing about a troubling message in a group chat and reached out to him, but he eventually stopped responding. Gabriel Brown was sent to check on his brother, which led to the tragic discovery.

Janelle often reflects on happier times, writing:

“My phone serves me up memories every day. Often they are pictures with Garrison. On good days (and today is a good day!) they make smile because I remember the event and that it was a fun day. There is always a bittersweet afterglow but it’s still a good thing to see these time capsules.”

She has faced this difficult period with grace and dignity, choosing to remember Garrison for the loving person he was. In his memory, Janelle is launching a new business, Taeda Farms, which will sell flowers, a nod to her love for nature and her late son.

The Struggles Faced by Garrison

Garrison’s life was not without challenges. He battled addiction issues, including alcohol, and was dealing with personal problems at the time of his death. Despite these struggles, he remained devoted to his family and even rescued a cat, Ms. Buttons, from being euthanized. Janelle did everything she could to help him, but healing from such a loss is a long and arduous journey. Her strength in the face of adversity is commendable.

Garrison’s obituary, published in a local newspaper, highlighted his loving family and three cats. It also mentioned his aspiration to become a nurse, driven by his compassion for people and animals. Meanwhile, some “Sister Wives” cast members, like Meri Brown, have faced criticism for continuing with their lives and posting regular content on social media. This has been a challenging time for the entire Brown family, with each member grieving in their own way.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741, or visit 988lifeline.org.

“Sister Wives” airs on TLC.

Sources: Nevada National Guard/Facebook, Janelle Brown/Instagram

Sister Wives

  • Reality TV
  • Drama

Release Date
September 16, 2010
Seasons
18
Main Genre
Reality
Website
https://go.tlc.com/show/sister-wives-tlc