Barbara Eloise Browning (Plainview)
Barbara Eloise Evans Browning went to be with her Lord & Savior Jesus Christ and join her husband, Jeane Lee Browning, of 64 years on January 1, 2022.
Barbara was born August 3, 1936, to Frank Eugene Evans and Mary Thelma Brian Evans as the youngest of five in Pampa, Texas.
Barbara grew up on a farm in White Deer, Texas until it was time to attend college. She went to Wayland Baptist College and studied early childhood education. Barbara was crowned Miss Wayland while attending Wayland. It was at college that she met the love of her life, Jeane. He was seeking pledges for the new sanctuary of First Baptist Church where Barbara pledged a quarter a month. Jeane ended up paying off her pledge after their marriage on August 16, 1957. Barbara was Jeane’s support where needed from the beginning of their marriage as they lived in a small house on a farm outside of Plainview. In July of 1958, they were blessed with Kathryn Eloise Browning (Holloway).
As Jeane and Barbara were moving into town in Plainview on 12th Street, Karen Elaine Browning (Higgins) arrived a few weeks early in April of 1960. Jeane’s parents Venita and Hollis Browning helped complete the move. Barbara kept the living room closed off to the children so that it was always presentable to guests. Then in April of 1963, Jeane “Lee” Browning II was born at over 9 lbs and all were thrilled to have a boy in the family. Jeane and Barbara were active members of First Baptist Church in Plainview their entire life. Barbara taught middle school girls Sunday school for a short time. Jeane and Barbara provided an example by attending church every week until 2020 when they were no longer able.
In November of 1969, Barbara and Jeane welcomed John Thomas Browning to the family and shortly thereafter moved two houses down on 12th street where they lived most of their married life. John Thomas kept Jeane and Barbara young as they participated in the many activities of their children. Barbara was active in the PTA and was called upon often to be a room mother. Barbara loved children and said that raising four children was easy. She cooked every meal except an occasional lunch after church on Sunday. Education was very important to both Jeane and Barbara. They provided a college education for their children and then established scholarships for others at Wayland Baptist University.
Barbara was Jeane’s constant companion in so many various activities during their married life. She drove seed trucks and answered the telephone when Jeane had the potato and onion business on Columbia Street. That business transitioned into Browning Seed and they built a building on Hwy 87, which is now I-27. Barbara made dozens of batches of triticale cookies which were oatmeal cookies to help promote this new seed brand. Barbara also helped with the care of Venita in her later years on a daily basis. Barbara loved her friends and neighbors by delivering food to those sick and grieving and sending flowers as God laid it on her heart. Barbara deeply loved her family and would help when she saw a need financially or otherwise. Barbara lived her Christian beliefs her entire life exhibiting the fruits of the spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Barbara -was a member of Chapter BL of PEO for 54 years as well as the ladies club. She and Jeane played Bridge in their early married years and had many close couple friends. Barbara was an auxiliary member of Gideon’s International. She was also a member of the Gamma Delphin Study Club.
Barbara Browning is survived by her brother, Brian Ed Evans in Pampa and sister, Carolyn Carpenter of Plainview, in addition to her children, Kathryn Holloway, and Paul; Karen Higgins and Jim; Lee Browning and Kimberly; John T. Browning and Alicia. They have ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
John Paul and Corrine Holloway, Sophie and Beatrice Holloway of Manassas, VA; Christian and Rachel Holloway of Lubbock; Matthew Holloway of Lubbock; Alison and Stuart Blalock, Kelsey and Pierce Blalock of Lubbock; Stephanie and Jonathan Adkins, Cullen and Emma Kate Adkins of Lubbock; Katie and Steven Langley of Oklahoma City, OK; Mackenzie Browning of Plainview and Emily Browning of Prince Edward Island, Canada; Jace and Brooks Browning of Plainview. Barbara has many special nieces and nephews and extended family that she loved dearly.
Barbara is preceded in death by her mother and father; husband, Jeane Lee Browning, sisters Shirley Evans Kelly of White Deer, TX and Nancy White of Texarkana, TX.
The visitation will be Friday evening, January 7, 2022, from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at Kornerstone Funeral Directors. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, January 8, 2022, at Plainview Cemetery with the memorial service following at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, January 8, 2022, at Kornerstone Funeral Directors Chapel.
Pallbearers are Jace Browning, Brooks Browning, Christian Holloway, Matthew Holloway, Stuart Blalock, Jonathan Adkins, and Steven Langley.
Donations or memorials in lieu of flowers can be made to Traditions Hospice Care, Caprock Home Health Care, or your local church or charity of your choice.
The Browning family would like to thank the compassionate medical professionals who took such loving care of Barbara.
