Lucille ‘Lucy’ Gunn Browning

Lucille “Lucy” Gunn Browning, 92, died Sunday, April 19, 2020, at Imboden Creek Living Center in Decatur. 

She was born in Anna-Jonesboro on Dec. 27, 1927, the daughter of Norman and Mabel Gunn. 

She graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and taught school in Effingham County, where she met her husband, Bob Browning. 

Later, they moved to Decatur, where she worked for J.D. Johnson and Son for five years until her first child was born. 

Once her two children were in school, she taught in the Mt. Zion School District as a substitute teacher for 17 years. 

She was a faithful member of the Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church for over five decades, where she served as a deacon, elder, Sunday School teacher and LOGOS leader. She sang in the church choir until the age of 83.

She was a YMCA member and swam laps until the age of 84. 

She was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the University of Illinois. She especially loved attending local music and fine arts events. Vespers at Millikin was her favorite event, which she was able to attend, even this past December. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob; her parents; and her sister. 

Surviving are her two sons Jim Browning and his wife Colleen of Hudson and David Browning and his wife Tami of Mt. Zion. 

She had six grandchildren: Douglas Browning and his wife Allie, Sarah Mullins and her husband Stephen, Daniel Browning, Laura Browning, Zach Lewis and his wife Jordin, and Mallory Barry and her husband Travis. 

She had five great-grandchildren, Madelyn, Sawyer, Macy Belle, Jack and Everly, with a sixth great-grandchild due in October. 

Due to the state’s coronavirus/COVID-19 rules, there will only be a private graveside ceremony for immediate family in Montrose.

Memorials can be made to the Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church. 

The family thanked the staff at Imboden Creek for a year of excellent care, her friends and staff at Friendship Hill, her Presbyterian Church family, Joe and Judy Sidwell and Doris St. Pierre for always treating her like family, as well as many others who kept in touch by mail. 

She loved life, loved her family, loved her savior Jesus and is more at “home” now than she has ever been before.

Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Homes in Decatur was in charge of arrangements.