Sunday, March 2, 2014

Mattie Lee Dowling Browning, 1926-2014

RIDGEVILLE, S.C. - Mattie Lee Dowling Browning, 87, of Ridgeville, died in her home on Saturday morning, March 1, 2014, following a long illness. Born in Darlington County on May 6, 1926, she was the last surviving child of James Muldrow Dowling and Agnes Yarborough Dowling. The Muldrow Dowling family made their home in the Philidelphia community of Darlington SC, known at the time at Rural Route 2, Timmonsville.

 At the age of 19, Mrs. Browning graduated from Coker College in January 1946 and began her career as a teacher at Ridgeville High School. Her distinguished teaching career included many years at Ridgeville and St. George schools. 

She was well known for her faithful service and support of the Mount Tabor United Methodist Church in Ridgeville.  She was an extremely knowledgeable county historian and founding Director of the Upper Dorchester County Historical Society.

Mrs. Browning was predeceased by her husband of sixty years, John Henry Browning, Sr., and her daughter, Madelyn Browning Knight. She was preceded in death by her siblings: Margaret Clayton, Florrie Sansbury, Mamie Tallon,  James Dowling, and Willie Dowling.

Mrs. Browning is survived by sons John Henry Browning, Jr. of Ridgeville and Col. Robert (“Robin”) Walker Browning (wife, Elizabeth) of Lilburn, Georgia. Her prized grandchildren are Losse F. Knight, III (“Trey”) and his wife Heather of Mt. Pleasant, Sarah Browning of Alpharetta, Georgia, Captain R. Daniel Browning, USAF of Sacramento, California, Lauren Browning Martin (husband, Zach) of Wilmington, North Carolina,  John W. Browning of Jedburg, and his twin sister Jessica L. Browning of Asheville, North Carolina. Mrs. Browning is also survived by many cherished nieces and nephews in the Browning and Dowling families.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 3, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. at the Mount Tabor United Methodist Church. Visitation will be at the church from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. that day. Burial services will follow the church service at Bonnerest Cemetery in Ridgeville. Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to Mt. Tabor United Methodist Church, 244 S. Main St., Ridgeville, SC 29472, or Upper Dorchester County Historical Society, UDCHS, PO Box 15, Dorchester, SC 29437.

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