Rev. Dr. John Robert Browning, Jr

NASHVILLE – Rev. Dr. John Robert Browning, Jr., age 86, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. Born in Hertford County, NC on September 3, 1935, he was the son of the late John Robert Browning, Sr. and Carrie Dell Manning Browning. He was also preceded in death by his son, Rev. Marvin Tim Browning; his son-in-law, Dr. Charles Marshall Coats; his step-father, Clyde O.P. Hughey; and his sister, Shirley Browning Windisch.

John was a graduate of Atlantic Christian College. He received his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Lexington Theological Seminary. He was a former educator and Chairman of Student Support Services at Nash Community College. John was the minister for 65 years of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He pastored the following churches: Rocky Fork Christian Church, Rocky Fork, NC; Butler Christian, Butler, KY; First Christian Church, Smithfield, NC; First Christian Church, Robersonville, NC; First Christian Church, Rocky Mount, NC; Rountree Christian Church, Ayden, NC; recently, Pinetops Presbyterian, Pinetops, NC; various interims for Christian Churches (Disciples of Christ) in North Carolina; and Regional Elder for Christian Church. John was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather and will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him.

John is survived by his wife of 63 years, Janice “Jan” Manning Browning; his daughter, Susan “Beth” Coats of Nashville; his nephew, Steve Windisch and wife, Patti, of Swannanoa; niece, Terry Hale and husband, Olin, of Ruckersville, VA, whom he also considered his children; his grandchildren, Laura Winstead and husband, Shane, and J.C. Coats; and his great-grandson, Brayden Winstead.

A Funeral Service to celebrate John’s life will be held on Monday, April 11, 2022, at 2:00 PM at First Christian Church, 1101 West Haven Blvd., Rocky Mount, NC 27803 with Rev. Beth Burton-Williams and Dr. C.J. Cauble officiating. Burial will follow the service at Rocky Mount Memorial Park. A visitation will be from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM prior to the service in the First Christian Church Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in John’s memory to First Christian Church, 1101 West Haven Blvd., Rocky Mount, NC 27803.

Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.