Browning Funeral Home

Our beloved mother, Billie Jean Sewell, age 88, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at Pontotoc Extended Care after an extended illness. Our father always referred to her as "Hon"--short for "honey"--and that's how her grandchildren remember her. She was their Hon. She was born February 19, 1935 in Toccopola, MS to Hubert L. and Doris Pickens Thomas, and lived a wonderfully meaningful life as a wife, mother, grandmother, friend, social worker, faculty member, and advocate for those in need. Mom had a tremendous impact on many lives during her 22-year tenure at The University of Mississippi in the Social Work Department, and she retired as chair of the department....

Dana Kay Simmons Stewart, age 55, passed away on Thursday, November 23, 2023 at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo. She was born December 16, 1967 to Roger and Shirley Butler Simmons. Dana was a graduated from Pontotoc High School in 1986. She was an employee of Cushions-To-Go in Pontotoc. Dana enjoyed reading, painting and drawing. Services will be at 2:00 P.M., Sunday, November 26, 2023 at Maple Drive Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Craig Jones officiating; burial will follow in the Pontotoc Memorial Gardens. Browning Funeral Home in Pontotoc is honored to assist the family with the arrangements. Survivors include her husband, Michael Stewart; a daughter, Mandy Peden (Craig); and two sons,...

Marlton Atlee Carter, age 70, passed away at his residence in Thaxton. He was born January 20, 1953 to Travis Atlee and Erlene Robbins Carter. Atlee was retired from Ram Golf Mfg. A graveside service will be held on Friday, November 24, 2023 at 10 A.M., at Bethel Cemetery, with Bro. Robbie Long officiating. Browning Funeral Home in Pontotoc is honored to assist the family with the arrangements. Survivors include his brother, Bobby Wayne Carter (Penny); and a sister, Onice Fay Carter; three nephews, Adam Wayne Carter, Eric Thomas Carter and Johnathan Cody Carter; and three great nephews, Noe Carter, Jacob Carter and Bruce Carter. He was preceded in death by his parents. In lieu of...

John Gavin Fields, 15, passed away Friday, November 3, 2023. He was born in Columbus, Mississippi, on February 11, 2008, to John W. Fields and Amanda Williams. He was a member of Murrah's Chapel Baptist Church. He was also a member of the Chess Club at Pontotoc High School. John Gavin loved writing music and playing his guitar. He always had a way of making others smile. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, November 10, 2023, at 2 P.M. at Browning Funeral Home. Graveside services will follow at Shady Grove Cemetery. He is survived by his father, John W. Fields (Patricia); his mother, Amanda Williams (Ricky); his brothers, Timothy Fields, Dalton Fields, and Kaleb Williams;...

Vara Inez McCoy Montgomery was the last of nine children born to the union of Jesse Fern Lee McCoy and Jettie Magill McCoy of the Macedonia community in Pontotoc County. Vara departed her earthly journey on 10/30/2023 at the age of ninety five, and is now in the presence of her Lord and Savior she so faithfully served. Vara met and married the love of her life Lawrence Audrane Montgomery at an early age. They were united in holy matrimony on 12/24/1948 shortly after graduating from Algoma High School where Vara was valedictorian of her senior class. The couple celebrated 69 years of marriage before the death of Audrane on 9/13/2017. They were blessed with three children, Christi, Lee and...

Pontotoc, MS- Sarah Alice Henry Young, 91, passed away on Sunday, October 29, 2023, at her residence in Pontotoc, MS. She was born September 23, 1932, to Alfred Allen Henry and Mary Anna Mitchell Henry in Randolph, MS. Sarah was a faithful, humble and devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother. A devoted wife of a naval officer, she grew her family while following her husband to Jacksonville, FL; Batesville, MS; Fulton, MS; Starkville, MS; Jackson, MS; Obion, TN; Mobile, AL; and ultimately her home in Pontotoc, MS. Once settled in Pontotoc, Sarah joined West Heights Baptist Church in 1963 where she remained a member until her passing. She treasured her Sunday School friendships and...

Pontotoc, MS- Sarah Alice Henry Young, 91, passed away on Sunday, October 29, 2023, at her residence in Pontotoc, MS. She was born September 23, 1932, to Alfred Allen Henry and Mary Anna Mitchell Henry in Randolph, MS. Sarah was a faithful, humble and devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother. A devoted wife of a naval officer, she grew her family while following her husband to Jacksonville, FL; Batesville, MS; Fulton, MS; Starkville, MS; Jackson, MS; Obion, TN; Mobile, AL; and ultimately her home in Pontotoc, MS. Once settled in Pontotoc, Sarah joined West Heights Baptist Church in 1963 where she remained a member until her passing. She treasured her Sunday School friendships and...

Dorris Ann Tutor, age 76, passed away on Friday, October 27, 2023 at NMMC in Tupelo, MS. She was born on December 5, 1946 to Roy and Cornelia Patterson Conlee. Dorris Ann was a member of Fairview Methodist Church, a homemaker and had worked at Ram Golf Mfg. for many years. She enjoyed spending time with her grandson, Logan Malone and arranging flowers was one of her favorite hobbies. Visitation will be from 2 to 2:45 P.M., Sunday, October 29, 2023 at Browning Funeral Home, with a graveside service to follow at 3:00 P.M. at Cruse Cemetery, with Rev. Chris Conlee and Rev. Kerry Nelson officiating. Browning Funeral Home in Pontotoc is in charge of the arrangements. Survivors include her...

Diane Montgomery, age 79, passed away at her residence on Wednesday, October 25, 2023. She was born June 15, 1944 to Raymond and Hazel Estelle McCoy Otts. Diane was a graduate of Algoma High School. She was a member of the First Baptist Church and owned a florist for many years. Diane's mission was to take care of Jernigan Cemetery and she took pride in placing flowers on her loved ones graves. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 P.M., Friday, October 27, 2023 at Jernigan Cemetery, with Luther Bagwell officiating. Browning Funeral Home in Pontotoc is in charge of the arrangements. Survivors include her husband, Larry Montgomery; a daughter, Susan Parrish; a sister, Linda Graham...

Betty Howard passed away at the age of 96 on October 22, 2023 at her home in Pontotoc. She was born Mary Elizabeth Price on September 11, 1927 in Poagville, Mississippi. She graduated from Tate County Agricultural High School in 1945. She later attended Mississippi State College for Women where she was roommates with her lifelong friend, Josephine Davis. She graduated with a degree in Home Economics in 1949. She married William Barker Howard in 1951 in Water Valley. In 1952, they moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where Bill attended medical school. Betty worked at a local news station at that time. She was on a television program called "What's Cooking Today." The program was based...

Betty Howard passed away at the age of 96 on October 22, 2023 at her home in Pontotoc. She was born Mary Elizabeth Price on September 11, 1927 in Poagville, Mississippi. She graduated from Tate County Agricultural High School in 1945. She later attended Mississippi State College for Women where she was roommates with her lifelong friend, Josephine Davis. She graduated with a degree in Home Economics in 1949. She married William Barker Howard in 1951 in Water Valley. In 1952, they moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where Bill attended medical school. Betty worked at a local news station at that time. She was on a television program called "What's Cooking Today." The program was based...

Schwanda Foster, age 97, passed away on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at the Pontotoc Hospital. She was born July 9, 1926 to David Ervin and Rebecca Davis Harkness. Schwanda was a member of Ecru Baptist Church and served 40 + years in the nursery. She enjoyed the "Goodtimers" group at church, watching soap operas, fill in puzzle books, reading, mowing and yard work. Services will be at 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at Ecru Baptist Church, with Rev. Greg Lassett and Rev. Barry Littlefield officiating. Burial will follow in the Ecru Cemetery. Browning Funeral Home in Pontotoc is in charge of the arrangements. Survivors include her son, Dennis Foster (Linda); a daughter, Jane Billingsley...

Annie Ruth Lessel, age 97, passed away on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at the Pontotoc Hospital. She was born August 6, 1926 to George Spence and Reathe Rebecca Dunlap Littlejohn. Annie Ruth attended Center Hill Baptist Church and was a homemaker. She enjoyed spending time with her family. Services will be at 2:00 P.M., Thursday, October 12, 2023, at Browning Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Tracy Quillian and Rev. Keith Cobb officiating; burial will follow in the Cherry Creek Cemetery. Browning Funeral Home in Pontotoc is in charge of the arrangements. Survivors include her three children, Jimmie Dale Lessel (Pam), Mary Ann Quillian (Berlon) and LaWanda Hale (Ronnie); six grandchildren, Tracy...

Janice Hamblin McKnight, age 77, passed away on Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at her residence. She was born July 10, 1946 to Benny Lee and Velma Sprayberry Hamblin. Janice was a member of Skuna Valley Baptist Church and retired from Astro Lounger. She enjoyed taking care of her family and spending time with them. Graveside services will be at 2:30 P.M., Friday, October 6, 2023 at Pleasant Grove Cemetery, with Rev. Greg Moss officiating. Browning Funeral Home in Pontotoc is honored to assist the family with the arrangements. Survivors include her husband, Danny McKnight; her children, Steve Hamblin (Shelly), Robby Hamblin, Jan Houser (Mitt) and Dan McKnight; nine grandchildren, Nathan Hamblin...

Marty Lane Winter, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, September 21, 2023. He was sixty-eight years old. Marty was born to Dudley and Evangeline Conlee Winter on May 22, 1955, in Tupelo, MS. He graduated from Pontotoc High School in 1973, where he enjoyed playing in the band. Marty went on to attend college at the University of Mississippi, and received a degree in Pharmacology. After working as a staff pharmacist for ten years at NMMC in Tupelo, MS, Marty took a position at the Methodist Central Hospital in Memphis, TN. Years later he was honored with the position of Pharmacist System Analyst. Having served 31 years in the field of pharmacy, he decided to retire. Some of Marty's...

Marty Lane Winter, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, September 21, 2023. He was sixty-eight years old. Marty was born to Dudley and Evangeline Conlee Winter on May 22, 1955, in Tupelo, MS. He graduated from Pontotoc High School in 1973, where he enjoyed playing in the band. Marty went on to attend college at the University of Mississippi, and received a degree in Pharmacology. After working as a staff pharmacist for ten years at NMMC in Tupelo, MS, Marty took a position at the Methodist Central Hospital in Memphis, TN. Years later he was honored with the position of Pharmacist System Analyst. Having served 31 years in the field of pharmacy, he decided to retire. Some of Marty's...

Patti Sneed Stark, age 77, passed away on Saturday, September 9, 2023 at NMMC in Tupelo. She was born August 7, 1946 to James Wesley and Mary Hussey Jobe. Patti graduated from Tupelo High School and obtained her Bachelor of Science in Education from Mississippi College for Women, where she was a member of the Rogue Social Club. She started Commonwealth Realty and later was a real estate agent with Mossy Oak in Pontotoc. Patti was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church, having sung in the choir and was a member of the Methodist Women. She enjoyed playing bridge, working cross word puzzles, trips to the beach and was an avid MSU fan. Services will be at 1:00 P.M., Monday,...

Gloria Theresa Cox Ard, 83, went home to be with Jesus on September 5th, 2023. Theresa was born on September 22, 1939, to Calvin Franklin Cox and Lillian Gertrude Ray Cox. She was a Daddy's girl, always following him around the house, and trying to do everything he did. She taught herself how to sew, making her own dolls' clothes and then eventually making her children & grandchildren's clothes. She said her mom was the kindest person she ever knew. She was proud of her brothers & sister and was a loyal and devoted sister. Theresa was a lot smarter than she ever gave herself credit, graduating valedictorian of her senior class. When her family tried to make a fuss over it, she would...

Wesley Jackson Clemons, age 55, passed away on Monday, August 28, 2023 in Tunica County, MS. Wesley was born May 9, 1968 to Alvis and Rebekah Brown Clemons. He was an Army Veteran. Wesley was mechanically inclined and could fix anything, he enjoyed riding his motorcycle, fishing, spending time with his pets, especially his dog, "Killer" and outdoor activities. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Friday, September 1, 2023 at Browning Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. David Hamilton officiating. Browning Funeral Home in Pontotoc is in charge of the services. Survivors include his brother, Mark Clemons (Becky); a nephew, Chris Clemons, niece, Allison Cox and his former wife, Cassie...

Dr. Elton Mac Huddleston, 79, passed away on August 27, 2023, at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo, Mississippi, after a life marked by service to his fellow man. He was born September 16, 1943, and was raised in Holmes County, Mississippi, by his beloved grandparents. He graduated from Durant High School and later went on to Mississippi State University, where he studied accounting and was a member of the ROTC. After graduating from MSU, he served in the United States Army, flying helicopters in Vietnam, and later serving as a flight instructor. He held the rank of Captain and was recipient of the Bronze Star and Distinguished Flying Cross, among others. After his military service, he...

David Keith Rowan, age 76, passed away on Sunday, August 20, 2023 at NMMC in Tupelo. David was born December 31, 1946 to Jamieson Clark Rowan and Annie Lois Clayton Rowan Fitzgerald. He was a member of West Heights Baptist Church. David was a proud Sgt., in the U.S. Marine Corp., having served in the Vietnam War and he was awarded the Rifle Sharpshooter Badge, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Stars, Combat Action Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. He was a novice woodworker, woodworking wasn't just a hobby, he learned to master it. There are many homes graced by his work. And he was a great mentor to his grandsons and others. David also enjoyed...