Kirby Browning

Kirby Browning, age 90, September 10, 1932 – October 10, 2022. Loving husband, father, brother, and friend peacefully passed away at 1:30 PM in Deaconess Midtown Hospital of Evansville, Indiana. He was born to Barney C. and Maude L. (Kearney) Browning in West City, IL. He married Carmen (Smith) Browning on June 18, 1960, and they shared 62 wonderful years of marriage.

Kirby was the third of eight children born to his parents. They lived in “Bug Tussle”, an area between Benton and Christopher, and he attended school in a one-room schoolhouse. The family moved to a farm south of Benton by 1940 and the Browning children attended McKinley School, another one-room schoolhouse. His mother told Barney that she didn’t care where they lived as long as the kids could walk to school. As a graduate of Benton High School in 1928, she knew the value of education and wanted her children to have every opportunity in life. Kirby always praised his parents for his wonderful childhood, educational opportunities, and introducing God into his life. He thought the world of them and they thought the world of him.

He and his older brothers, Ken and Don, learned early in life that the family had to work as a team to have what they needed. The three boys worked on the farm together with their parents, feeding the chickens and pigs, milking the cows in the early morning hours, planting and hoeing the garden, and canning the vegetables to store for the winter. Kirby admired his older brothers, and he often talked about their younger years and fun days on the farm.

Kirby met the love of his life on the Benton square in 1959 while cruising with his best friend, Don Upchurch. He said that Carmen was the most beautiful women in the world. Their first date was watching the Browning pond being dug on the family farm. Kirby and Carmen were married the next year at the First Christian Church in Benton, IL and they shared 62 wonderful years of marriage together.

Kirby was an educator. He was a 1950 graduate of Benton High School and he achieved all three of his college degrees from SIU, earning his PhD in 1972. Kirby coordinated and attended all the graduation ceremonies at SIU. He taught English at Benton High School, became the Principal at Thompsonville, and began working in the registrar’s office at SIU in 1965. One of his proudest moments at SIU was when he presented diplomas to his sisters, Sue and Becky, when they graduated from the university. And as Rend Lake College Board President, it was his great privilege to present a diploma to his sister Carolyn when she graduated. During his time at the university, he employed many students in his office as student workers from local families. Whenever someone wanted their child to attend SIU, they would call Kirby. He was proud to be able to assist local families and friends to go to SIU. He ended his professional career as Director of Admissions and Records at SIU in 1991, when the university’s enrollment was its highest level.

Kirby was a longtime member and Sunday school teacher at the First Christian Church in Benton, IL. He loved his church and his church family. He was involved in every aspect of the church activities. He was a church board member, board chairman, Elder, Sunday school teacher, choir member, youth leader, camp counselor, men’s fellowship member, and helper at apple butter makings and the annual Fall Festival. Ice cream socials and fish fries were some of his favorite church events where he would share stories and visit with his friends. Kirby enjoyed the beauty of our area and wanted to share it with his church family. He would take groups from the church on “Kirby’s Adventures” to locations throughout southern Illinois to experience God’s creations together and find the best places to eat.

After his retirement, Kirby was ordained and served as the First Christian Church Minister in Vienna, IL. He loved his time working for God in the church and serving the church family.

He was a founding member of the group that started the annual food basket program in Benton. Securing food and gifts for families in the area was very important to him. Kirby was a volunteer for the Meals on Wheels program and he delivered food to the elderly. He had the biggest, giving heart and he always wanted everyone to feel cared for and loved. His friend, Boots, recently said that if you needed help with anything, you could call Kirby and he would be there. He was someone you could always depend on and know that when you needed him, he would be there to show you what to do and share his wisdom with you. Kirby was wise beyond his years and if you had a question about anything, Kirby had the answer.

Kirby was a member of the Board of Trustees at Rend Lake College and Board President, the Dean’s Council at SIU, the Illinois Association and Council for Registrar Offices, and the Franklin County Historical Society Board. He served in the United States Army from 1954-1956 during the Korean War.

He had faith in all people and he believed and encouraged all who he met to do their best and to be happy. Some of his favorite quotes were, “If you are not happy where you are, you won’t be happy where you are going” and “You can attract more flies with a teaspoon of honey than with a gallon of vinegar”. He was a role model for how to do these things and how to treat others. When Kirby came into the room, a positive energy followed. He definitely would “kid” around and share a joke or two to make life fun. He was always understanding and loving no matter what the situation. He was a teacher in his profession and a teacher to all that were in his life. In his eyes, nothing was ever wrong, it was just another chance to learn.

Kirby had a giving heart and he was always willing to share everything that he had without asking for anything in return. When he bought his red and white 1956 Pontiac, three of his younger siblings were learning to drive. Kirby shared his car with his brother and sisters. When Joe scratched up the bumper on the first day the car was bought, Kirby let his sister Sue drive the car. When his sister Sue wrecked the car, he let his sister Carolyn drive the car. The damages to the car were minor fender benders, but Kirby’s only concern was that nobody was hurt. He never thought material things were that important, but family to Kirby, was the most important of all. He always offered pie and cake to anyone who visited, even if he didn’t have any. But if someone wanted to eat, he made sure to feed them. He was most happy churning homemade ice cream and making sure the pool was ready for anyone who wanted to swim. Kirby would cut a rose, from his rose bushes, for his guests to take home. He loved growing roses and flowers to share with the people he loved. Often times, he would put his flowers in the church sanctuary before the service, and he would always give his mother a rose when she would come to visit.

Kirby loved his siblings, and he was so proud of the people they had become and what they had chosen to do in their lives. His baby sister Becky was 17 years younger than him, and he left for college right after she was born. When Kirby was at college and even when Kirby went to the Army, he still made it a priority to come home to see her whenever he could. Becky became a Math teacher and taught throughout southern Illinois. She ended her career as teaching faculty at SIU, which made Kirby proud and honored that she worked where he worked.

He shared a special bond with his sister Mary Lou, who was born on his third birthday. Kirby always said that the best birthday present he ever got was on his third birthday, his baby sister Mary Lou. Throughout the years, Kirby and Mary Lou would celebrate their birthdays together. Last month they celebrated their birthday together, with Kirby turning 90 and Mary Lou turning 87. It was the best of days, filled with food, music, family, and friends.

Kirby was an amazing dad. He was loving and kind, and he knew the importance of hard work and responsibility. Every Saturday morning, he would put lists of chores on the kitchen table for himself and his children, Bryan and Lisa. And sometimes, he would even put a list of chores on the table for his wife, Carmen (that didn’t always go over so well). Kirby made the rule that nobody, including himself, could play and have fun until all the chores were done (which usually took the morning to complete). To this day, Bryan and Lisa credit their dad for instilling these values into their lives. They also remember that when the family took a vote to make a decision that Kirby’s vote was worth “5”, Carmen’s vote was worth “3”, and Bryan and Lisa’s votes were worth “1” apiece. This way Kirby would always win the vote no matter what, and if there was a tie, Kirby would make the final decision. All was for fun and games, and Kirby guided his family through life with wisdom, laughter, and love.

He was best friends to many and he held a special love for all. He had a soul bond with his grandchildren, and he enjoyed every opportunity to tell stories, play, laugh, and spoil them. He will be greatly missed by all of them.

Kirby is survived by his loving wife Carmen; his son Bryan Browning; daughter Lisa (Browning) Brown; six grandchildren: Kelsea (Cory) Peacock, Jonathan (Ashley) Brown, Brandtlee Brown, Matthew Browning, Elissa Brown, Will Browning; one great granddaughter: Lily Pigg; four sisters: Mary Lou Shelton, Carolyn Upchurch, Sue (Jim) Wells, Becky Mandrell; two brothers: Donald Browning, Joe (Evelyn) Browning; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Barney C. and Maude L. (Kearney) Browning; one brother Kenneth Browning; three brother-in-laws: Jack Shelton, Gordon Smith, Brad Mandrell; three sister-in-laws: Joyce Smith, Nancy Browning, Jean Browning.

He will be truly missed by all his family and friends who cherished and enjoyed his good humor, storytelling, love, and support. His faith in God was strong and he always knew that he would be welcomed into the arms of Jesus.

Visitation will be held from 5:00-8:00pm, Monday October 17th and 1:00-2:00pm on Tuesday, October 18th with funeral services following at 2:00pm at First Christian Church, 302 S. Main Street, Benton, IL.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First Christian Church, Benton, IL.

The family encourages you to leave stories about Mr. Browning on the website please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com to leave your story or condolences.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kirby Browning, please visit our floral store.