Cen-Tex Monuments of Waco

Helping Preserve Family Legacy Since 1956

At Riley-Gardner Memorial we carry the highest quality granite and marble in the industry. All of the monuments that we carry have proven to withstand the outdoor elements and therefore meet our one-of-a-kind guarantee. At each location and funeral home that we serve, there are educated sales representatives who will guide you through the process of memorializing your loved one.

Choosing and Personalizing Your Memorial

When you walk into one of our locations, you can expect a heartfelt greeting from one of our friendly representatives. Time will be spent listening to you tell them about your loved one and finding out how to best serve your memorial needs. Once all options have been discussed, our representatives are trained to assist you in creating a one-of-a-kind monument. Each of our outlet locations are equipped to produce a computer generated proof of your headstone. This proof will be a scaled version of your custom memorial and is key in our mistake proof guarantee. Our representatives and artists specialize in creating all different types of monuments; from general sandblast designs, to laser etchings, to fully sculpted headstones.

Producing Your Memorial

Once these processes are complete, the stone is rolled out into the main production area where a thin layer of glue is applied to the freshly frosted areas. The stencil panels are placed back in the frosted areas from which they were earlier removed, and all of the lines and lettering will then be pulled to leave behind the design which will be cut deeply into the stone. The stone will next be sent through one of our two automated sandblasts. Once this final sandblasting is complete, the stone is pushed into the paint and wash room, where the newly sandblasted lettering and design will be painted. After being painted, the stencil is removed, the stone is washed and pushed out onto the drying rack.

Riley-Gardner Memorial takes pride in producing quality monuments. The production procedures discussed above are known as double processing. Double processing produces the sharpest and longest lasting lettering possible. Not all memorial companies produce this way, and it is very important to know that a single processed stone will fade and flake at a much faster rate.

Sandblast

After you have been presented with the custom design work you have requested and approve the rendering of your memorial we will begin the production phase. Your monument is brought into our manufacturing facility. A special template is cut out of a rubber mat which we call a stencil. The stencil matches the size and shape of the headstone you have selected and will be centered and laid out on the stone. All exposed polished areas that do not receive lettering or design will be covered with patching in order to protect them during the sandblasting process. All of the stencil that makes up the panels around the lettering, emblems, or design work will then be removed and laid aside for later use. At this point, the stone will go into our frosting sandblast where the polish is removed, leaving a bright panel to bring out the lettering and design work. If there are flowers in the design, the stone will then go into our special carving sandblast machine. This sandblast is designed for the artist to shape the flowers with a handheld sandblasting tool.

Riley-Gardner Memorial takes pride in producing quality monuments. The production procedures discussed above are known as double processing. Double processing produces the sharpest and longest lasting lettering possible. Not all memorial companies produce this way, and it is very important to know that a single processed stone will fade and flake at a much faster rate.

Laser Design

Riley-Gardner Memorial has been producing our own laser designed monuments since 2004. Before a lasered monument is created, an image must be input or designed in our computer program. This is a very tedious and time intensive process; however, once our artists have created an image, we can duplicate it as many times as needed. The most common color used for laser etching is Premium Black. Premium Black produces the cleanest laser photos and designs one can find. Other colors, such as Catseye Red and Dark Cloud, have proven to work well with laser; those colors show laser artwork very nicely but are not recommended for laser photos. Laser monuments are becoming more and more common in cemeteries. One question often asked is, “How long will the laser design last?” Laser, like sandblast, puts a break in the polish and exposes the raw stone beneath. The laser heats the stone and removes the polish where sandblast cuts into the stone therefore removing the polish. Unless the monument loses its polish or is re-polished the laser design will last for many years to come.

Installation

Once the above preparations are complete, the final stone product is ready for the installation process. We have crews stationed throughout Texas and Oklahoma so that we know that your newly crafted memorial will be guided safely to it final resting place.

What People Say About Us

Client Testimonials

Jeff Mairs
2022-09-28
I spoke to Randy Evans the first part of June, 2022. I have never looked to purchase a monument. Well on this visit Randy made the experience very easy, professional, and it was a wonderful experience. He answered all my questions that I had . He assisted me in picking out a monument for my wife. This was a very tough time for me and he was just great and made me feel at ease. He assisted me in not only choosing a monument but also the lettering, etc. The delivery was prompt and on time. The placement of the monument was perfect. All in all it was a perfect experience. Thanks very much, Randy.
G L Ravnell
2022-07-07
My family is extremely happy with the monument we purchased for our mom! The customer service provided by Randy and the installers was 10+. The quality of the monument and finished product 10+. The pricing was very fair and beat all the companies we visited. A BIG THANK YOU to Cen-Tex Monuments
ELBM Z06
2022-06-19
My wife and I needed a headstone repaired and Randy did a wonderful job working with me. We are from Indiana so this was all done through email and on the phone. I appreciate the excellent work Randy and the team did. It's hard to find great people that do top quality work. Again, thank you.
Candice Mottet
2022-05-18
It has almost been a year since I lost my mother and it took some time to get a headstone placed and to write a review. It was definitely not at the fault of Cen-Tex Monuments. Randy Evans is great at what he does and will help you with every aspect of choosing and designing a stone. I knew what I wanted and he (and the entire team) helped to achieve it. Through some hick-ups not on their end, the beautiful stone was placed 5 months after my mother's arrival in heaven. Thank you for your kind word, boxes of Kleenexes, and extra paperwork.
John Strunck
2022-05-07
I would like to take the time and thank Mr. Randy Evans, and the dedicated employees at Cen-Tex Monuments for their service. Recently, we purchased a monument at Cen-Tex Monuments, and from the start of the monument selection, to the creation process, to setting the monument. Mr. Evans services were excellent! We feel that the monument is of top quality. In addition, all of the work was completed very promptly, from start to finish, and during time of covid prevention measure, and material shortage. In conclusion, I highly recommend Cen-Tex Monuments for your monument needs. Once again Mr. Evans, Thank you sir. John Strunck
Karrissa Edwards
2022-05-02
Losing my mom in Sept 2021 has to be one of the hardest things I've gone through (still). Centex Monument really took there time in helping me to create the perfect headstone. I had moments of tears however they remained very patient. I also wanted her temp marker for a butterfly garden I plan to do in her honor but living 3 hrs away made it difficult to make by there for pick up during the week. Within the week of the headstone placement I received it in the mail. I felt this was them going out of there way & it's very much appreciated! I would most definitely recommend them.
Lori Holle
2022-03-21
Mr. Evans was very kind and compassionate when helping with the creation of Mom's monument. We knew the basics of what we were looking for and Mr. Evans helped us with the creative element. It was a very short turnaround from ordering to receiving(1 month)! The two gentlemen who set Mom's monument(we watched) were also kind and considerate to our feelings. We are very pleased with Cen-Tex Monuments and know Mom is smiling down🥰 We will not hesitate to use them for our monument when we get ready.
Lisa Smith
2021-12-31
I only have positive words to describe my experience with Mr. Randy Evans, Manager and Memorial Designer for Cen-Tex Monuments and his employees. When it came to creating our custom design, Mr. Evans responded in a timely manner to emails and phone calls. He was knowledgeable on options for obtaining the precise look and above all else was patient, professional, and understanding. I appreciated of being notified of the date when the stone would be set. During the setting of the stone, his employees took great care to remain respectful throughout the entire process. The finished product of the monument was beautiful beyond measures and we can not thank you enough for the dignity you showed to our family.