John A. Browne

Mr. John A Browne, age 84, of Mt. Airy died peacefully at home with his family by his side on Tuesday, November 13, 2007. Mr. Browne was born in Mt. Airy, NC, on September 12, 1923. He was preceded in death by his mother and father Robert C. and Mary Alice Browne, his brothers, Robert, Maurice, and Thomas Browne, his sister, Mary Agnes Cohill and his "number one grandson", Robert A. Browne. Mr. Browne graduated from Mount Airy High School and attended Belmont Abby College. He later served in the United States Navy during WWII. He joined the Army Reserves and served active duty during the Korean Conflict. He retired as Vice President of Rawley & Apperson, Inc. of Winston-Salem after 35 years. Mr. Browne actively served his community as a member of the Mt. Airy School Board for 9 years, and he also served as a City Commissioner for 22 years, during which time Mt. Airy earned its "All-American City" status. He was a member of the VFW and the American Legion, as well as a life member of the Mt. Airy Elks Lodge, and a member of the Blue Ridge Campers. He was a life long member of Holy Angels Catholic Church, where he served on the Parish Council, the Men's Club and The Knights of Columbus. Mr. Browne is survived by his loving wife of 59 years,Lucy Jane Poore Browne, his five children, David Allen Browne and his wife, Scharla of Jamestown, NC, Mary Durham and her husband, Ronnie of Charlotte, NC, Doris Robinson and her husband, Dave of Charlotte, NC, Charlie Browne and his wife, Lu Ann of Mt. Airy, NC, Martha McCraw and her husband Greg, of Wesley Chapel, NC. He was a loving grandfather to Robert Browne and Rosa Browne Poindexter, Michael, Emily and Will Durham, Matthew, Andrew and Rachel Robinson, Mary Beth and Laura Browne, Alex, Anna and Addie McCraw; one great-granddaughter, Kassidy Poindexter, Killeen, TX, also by two step grandchildren, Kevin Morris and his wife, Lee, and Scott Morris and his wife, Kim, and four step great grandchildren, J.C. and Clark Morris, Evan and Ellie Morris. Mr. Browne was also survived by two sisters, and three brothers, Monica Preisinger of Mill Valley, CA, Therese Abraham and her husband, Malouf of Canadian, TX, Joe Browne and his wife, Norma of Winston-Salem, NC, Frank Browne and his wife, Gaye of Mt. Airy, NC, David Browne and his wife, Janie of Bristol, TN and by a special brother-in-law, Jack Leach, Mt. Airy, NC. The family will receive friends at Moody Funeral Home in Mt. Airy on Thursday November 15, 2007 from 7 until 9 PM. The funeral Mass will be conducted at Holy Angels Catholic Church on Friday, November 16, 2007 at 11:30 AM with Father Eric Kowalski officiating with interment to follow in Oakdale Cemetery. The family would like to express their heart felt gratitude to Ruth Handy, Darwin Brightbill, April Robertson and Chaplain Valdimir Strejcek of Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care and to special care givers, Cathy Schall and Elizabeth Cashatt. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Robert Allen Browne Scholarship Fund c/o Surry Community College Foundation, 630 South Main Street, Dobson, NC 27017 or to Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, 401 Technology Lane, Suite 200, Mt. Airy, NC 27030 or to Holy Angels Catholic Church Building Fund, 1208 North Main Street, Mt. Airy, NC 27030 or to the charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences may be made at www.moodyfuneralservices.com.