Julia McLaurin Browning

A member of the Hornsby pioneer family, Julia was born November 25, 1906, near Hornsby Bend community and lived all of her life in Central Texas. Both her only sibling, Margaret, and her father died while Julia was still a young girl. Julia and her mother then lived with various members of their extended family, including cousins Elsie and Lonnie Hornsby, and Nan Gilbert, to whom she was particularly close throughout their lives.

Julia began school in Hornsby Bend, later moving to Austin where she graduated from Austin High School. She received a teaching certificate from San Marcos Teachers College and her BA and Masters in Education from UT Austin.

In 1925, Julia started her teaching career in a one room school in Cottonwood, near Manor, Texas, followed by a brief time at Hornsby-Dunlap School. The remainder of her 43 years of teaching was in the Manor public schools, teaching primarily fifth grade.

She married J. Worley Browning in 1929. For most of their long married life, Julia and Worley lived on their farm on Decker Lane near Manor and moved to Austin in 1982. Although they never had children of their own, Julia and Worley always enjoyed the fellowship of their two extended families, hosting many gatherings featuring Julia's wonderful cooking and the bounty of Worley's gardens.

During her long life, Julia, a woman of great faith, was a member of Manor United Methodist Church, where she celebrated her 106th birthday with her church family last November. She loved and was loved by several generations of worshipers there. She enjoyed teaching Sunday school for many years and participating in the quilting group.

Julia had an incredible memory and loved telling family stories. She was proud of her Texas heritage and was a member of the Reuben Hornsby Chapter of the DRT. She enjoyed travel, was an avid reader, and a great writer of thank-you notes. She had a keen interest in history and current events, voting last November at her polling place. She was always ready to visit with neighbors, family, and friends, serving them her famous chocolate chip cookies

The family is grateful to many for the compassionate care and loving attention provided Julia near the end of her life: her dedicated caretakers at Buckner Villa; her former caretaker and neighbors in Allandale; Reverend Liz Kevilus; and her close friends from church and the Manor community.

Julia was preceded in death by her beloved husband, who died in 1985. She is survived by many Browning nephews and nieces including, Bo Browning, Nanette Nichols and Lloyd Ann McMahan; her Hornsby nieces Melinda Hornsby Wofford and Rebecca Hornsby Tipler; and a host of family members and friends.

Services and reception will be Saturday, February 23rd at 1:00 p.m., Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar Blvd, followed by burial at 3:30 at Hornsby Cemetery off FM 969.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Hornsby Cemetery Association, Manor United Methodist Church, or the charity of your choice.