He was the owner and operator of Browning Seed & Supply Store in McLeansboro and had served as Hamilton County sheriff from 1972 to 1980.

He was born January 21, 1917 in Hamilton County, a son of Jasper and Lela (Dale) Browning. He first married Mildred Bishop, who preceded him in death and then later married Dorothy (Dotty) Melavin Blackledge and she survives.

He was a World War II Army veteran and member of the American Legion 106, Carmi Veterans of Foreign Wars, Masonic Lodge, Odd Fellows, fire department and the Ten Mile Baptist Church.

Surviving are his wife, Dorothy “Dotty” Melavin Blackledge; a stepdaughter, Andrea Hays of Norris City; two sons, Leroy of McLeansboro and Charles E. of Collinsville; a stepson, Bill Blackledge of McLeansboro; five grandchildren, Jason, Josh, Charles R. and Amy Browning and Angie Whetham; a stepgrandchild, Erin Hayes; and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, July 29, 2000 at Gholson Funeral Home. Rev. Mark Lee and Rev. John Lee, Jr. officiated. Burial was in Ten Mile Cemetery, with military rites by American Legion Post No. 106.

Besides his first wife, Mildred (Bishop), he was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and one sister.