Mabel West Browning

Mabel West Browning, 99, of Pontotoc passed away peacefully early Monday, October 24, 2016, in Windermere, Florida at the home of her daughter. She was exactly three months shy of her 100th birthday. She was born in Pontotoc County on a cold January 24, 1917 to Ethel Lavelle Pitts West and the Reverend Henry Grady West, Sr. Her father was a well-known Southern Baptist Minister and pastored churches in Ackerman, Tupelo (Harrisburg), Sherman, Ingomar and Ecru. She was the middle child of six children. She was predeceased by her siblings, Evelyn West Roberson, Leonard Broughton West, Annie Mae Graddy West, and the Reverend H. G. West, Jr. She is survived by her sister, Dorothy West Simmons Townsend of Tupelo.

Most of her growing up years were in Ecru where she met her husband, the late Linton Brantley Browning. They began their wedded life in Ecru but moved to Pontotoc in 1945 when they purchased Mr. R.B Carr’s business of furniture, hardware and funeral services. It was located on the Square and is currently the site of Pontotoc Chancery Clerk’s offices and court. In the early 1950’s they purchased the Hodges home on Oxford Street for the funeral home. Thus, the funeral business was moved from the Square to Oxford Street and the furniture, hardware and building materials business remained downtown. Following the death of her husband in 1977, she liquidated the business on the Square and devoted her time to the funeral business. She became a licensed funeral director, renovated the funeral home and added the funeral chapel. She remained active in the business until 1995.

Children of the couple are Dr. Kaye Browning Chastain of Windermere, FL and William Ronald Browning of Destin, FL. During the years her children were growing up in Pontotoc she was an active Mother participating as a Cub Scout leader and assisting in Y-Teens. She always welcomed their friends into the home and this past summer hosted Kaye’s Pontotoc High School Class of 1961 55th Class Reunion at her home. As a member of First Baptist Church of Pontotoc she was active in the WMU and other church activities. She served on the Board of Directors for the Bank of Pontotoc and was a member of the Mutual Culture Club.

She continued to live in her home in Pontotoc until recently where she hosted many family reunions for the West- Browning cousins and enjoyed the visits of her grandchildren and great grandchildren, Cinda Dallas Browning Nicholson (Dan) of Hartselle, AL and their daughter, Piper; Amanda Chastain Gufford (Charles) of Orlando, FL and their children Courtney and Brantley; and Alison Chastain Brackins (Patrick) of Orlando, FL and their sons, Russell and Reese.

Funeral Arrangements are with Browning Funeral Home in Pontotoc. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Thursday, October 27, 5 – 8 pm and Friday, October 28, 10 am until service time at 11:00 am. led by Dr. Ken Hester of Pontotoc First Baptist. Burial will follow in Ecru Cemetery. Pallbearers are Jerry Bell, Richard Stephens, Rayburn Mapp, Don Browning, Bill Galloway and Kenneth Prewett. Honorary Pallbearers are Danny Weatherly, Mike Simmons, Mike Montgomery,William West, Art Graddy and Dr. Steve Montgomery. Special friends are Peggy Lauderdale and Sara Tutor.

Online condolences may be offered at www.browningpontotoc.com