James Monroe Browning

The sons of James Monroe Browning and his first wife, Debbie Smith, were Henry Oscar, John Cecil and Claude McKelvy.  All three became farmers and established homes in the Keller area.

Henry Oscar Browning, born August 8, 1885, was married to Dela Caldonia Keller, born December 16, 1885.  She was baptized in 1907 and he in 1909.  Both became members of the Baptist Church.  Oscar served as Sunday School Superintendent and Deacon for many years.

The Browning’s were the parents of one daughter, Irene, born July 11, 1912, who became Mrs. Howard Nelson.  The Nelsons had two daughters, Linda and Patricia.

In the summer of 1958, while Patricia was on vacation from Baylor University, the entire family, including Patricia, her parents and maternal grandparents, drove to Portland, Oregon to visit her married sister Linda Nelson Hodge.

On August 24, minutes after they began the return trip to Texas, they were involved in a tragic highway accident.  Irene Browning Nelson was the only survivor.  Her parents are buried in Bourland Cemetery, her husband and daughter in Dallas.

After months of hospitalization, Irene recovered from serious injuries and returned home.  She is now Mrs. Hal Mayfield and is a resident of Carrolton.

John Cecil Browning, born August 15, 1888, was married October 17, 1909, to Alma Litton Maddox, born July 9, 1888.  Dr. Allen Lowery, minister of the Church of Christ, read the ceremony at the Maddox home.

The Browning’s bought and sold several farms, last of which was land known now as Christ Haven.  After retirement, they lived in Keller.  Mr. Browning died May 31, 1959.  Mrs. Browning died in 1972.  They are both buried in Bourland Cemetery.  Their four daughters are:

1)      Dorothy Debbie, born December 23, 1911, married to Orin R. Cranfill.  Their children are Margaret Ruth and Billy.

2)      Sarah Frances, born July 8, 1916, married to Victor Piper of Washington D.C.

3)      Ruby Pearl, born December 6, 1919, died July 3, 1941.

4)      Edna Marie, born September 12, 1925, married to Emmett Joe Lee.  Their children are Emmett Joe Jr. and Cherilyn.

Claude McKelvy Browning, born August 3, 1890, was married to Maud Estelle Stateham, born February 12, 18--, the daughter of Lawson and Rebecca Jane Price Stateham.  They established residence on a farm west of Keller, where all their children were born and reared.  It became a tradition in this family that the maternal grandmother chose the name for each of the seven Browning children.

Twins Wayne and Wade were born January 5, 1911.  Wayne died January 12, 1911 and Wade April 29, 1915.  Both are buried in Bourland Cemetery. 

The third child, Eula Faye, born on November 6, 1912, was married on September 16, 1933 to Bill Baxter, born July 4, 1906 and died on April 1, 1972.  He was buried in Bourland Cemetery.  Her second marriage on November 5, 1974, was to Richard B. Sharpless, born on November 3, 1903.  Children by her first marriage are Billy Claude and Glenda Faye (Williams).

The fourth child, Ruby Inez, was born on June 4, 1916, was married on August 8, 1936 to Robert E. Dougherty, born on August 31, 1911.  Their children are Maudine (Mash), Peggy Jane (MacDonald) and Jimmy Eldon.

The fifth child Guy Claude, born on January 6, 1918 was married on August 10, 1940, to Minnie Tennison, born on April 17, 1922.  They are the parents of Grover Guy, Stephen Ray and Claudia Jean (Farris).

The sixth child, Clide Marlin, born on March 1, 1923, was married March 7, 1945 to Eleanor G. Armstrong, born on February 25, 1925, the daughter of Thurman Andrew and Ila K. Armstrong.  She died on April 14, 1974 and was buried in Bourland Cemetery.  His second marriage, February 19, 1975, was to Margaret.  Children by his first marriage are Richard and Carla.

The seventh child, Jimmy Lawson, born on November 12, 1924, died on February 13, 1964, and was buried in Bourland Cemetery.  On July 2, 1949, he was married to Vonnie L. Foller.  Their only child is a son, Jimmy Charles.

Claude McKelvy, the father of these seven children died on May 27, 1953 and was buried in Bourland Cemetery.  His widow, Maud, lives in the family home.  She divided the farm land among her children.  Four of them, Faye, Inez, Guy and Marlin built homes on their acreages.

At this writing, Maud Stateham Browning is the oldest living member of the First Baptist Church of Keller.  She was baptized in 1902 in a surface tank on the Jim West farm.  She became a resident of Mimosa Manor Convalescent Home in 197-.