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Curtis Everton Browning, age 82, of Cordele, Georgia went to be with the Lord on December 11th, 2018, at his home. He is survived by his loving wife of almost 62 years, Patsy Blount Browning, their children and their spouses.

Mr. Browning was born in Umatilla, Florida on July 18th, 1936 to parents Hughes and Juanita Browning, both now deceased. Most of his childhood was spent growing up in Hawkinsville, Georgia where he graduated high school as a standout athlete and scholar in 1952, prior to attending college and preparing for a career as a teacher. While a student, he accepted the call to become a pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, a small church in rural Pulaski County. He spent the rest of his life pursuing God’s purpose and mission for his life.

Mr. Browning’s first job after college was as a teacher and coach at Cartersville High School, where he used his strong communication skills to teach the advanced high school math courses. After his first year of teaching, he was selected as Star Teacher in 1960.

After a short time in the Blount family business, he followed his brother, Larry Browning, into the insurance business as a State Farm Insurance Agent in June 1, 1963 in Waycross, Georgia. Shortly thereafter, he took the opportunity to move his young family closer to home and firmly planted his future in Cordele, Georgia in October of 1963. They quickly joined the church family at First Baptist Church and have been faithful members and leaders for over 55 years, teaching Sunday School, serving as Deacon Chairman, Brotherhood President, and helping on many committees. He was a frequent lay-speaker and enjoyed preaching and teaching the gospel of Jesus.

Since moving to Cordele, Mr. Browning was been a vibrant part of the growth of Cordele and Crisp County by serving with many charitable organizations such as the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, Special Olympics, and many others. His stable leadership and wise advice was beneficial to PTA groups and booster clubs as well as the Cordele-Crisp Chamber of Commerce.

He served as the President of the Cordele Lions Club and was Chairman of the Lions Club’s SightFirst Campaign, a successful effort to eliminate the occurrence of River Blindness in children in the poverty stricken areas of Africa. He served with Former President Jimmy Carter as a member of the Georgia Delegation committee during the International Lions Convention in Dallas, Texas in 1968. During his term as Governor of Georgia, Carter appointed Curtis to the position of Lieutenant Colonel, Aide de Camp, Governor Staff for his patriotism and honorable service to Governor Carter and the people of Georgia.

Mr. Browning’s successful business career as a State Farm agent spanning over 55 years allowed him to reach into the lives of the families he worked with in a loving and caring way. As a result, he became considered one of the top agents in the company, earning numerous awards and designations, but his satisfaction and extended ministry came from meeting with each client and helping them to navigate through the challenges that life brought. He qualified numerous times for the prestigious Legion of Honor Club, the Career Achievement Club and the Ambassadors for Life Club.

He was preceded in death by his brother Larry Browning and brother-in-law Stan Rockett, grandson Brock Meadows, and a sister-in-law, Wanda Browning. He is survived by his wife Patsy and their three children and their spouses; Mike and Kathy Browning, Lyn and Bob McLeod, and Nita and Drew Meadows; his grandchildren(spouses) Krissie(Chris) Bauer, Hollie(Wesley) Hill, Russ(Meghan) Browning, Robert(Samantha) McLeod, Laura Lyn(Brince) Coody, Anna Grace McLeod and fiancee Ryan Harris, Asa Meadows, Mason Meadows, Barrett Meadows, Lila Jane Meadows; great-grandchildren Brecken Bauer, Jackson Bauer, Hampton Hill, Hayes Hill, Harris Coody, Arlan McLeod; a sister, Susan Rockett; a brother, Roger Browning, and a sister-in-law, Rita Browning.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday December 15th, 2018 at The First Baptist Church in Cordele, GA with visitation at 1 p.m. and the funeral service at 3 p.m. Burial will be private for the family at Sunnyside Cemetery in Cordele, GA at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The First Baptist Church of Cordele, GA at 137 Kelly Road, Cordele, GA 31015 or The Browning Family Memorial Scholarship Fund, P.O Box 933, Cordele, GA 31010. Arrangements are by Rainey Family Funeral Services. An online guest register is available at www.raineyfuneral.com.