Deborah Thalleen Browning

Deborah Thalleen Browning, 66, of Salem, went to be with Christ on Sunday, August 7, 2016, at her Salem home surrounded by her family. Debbie was born on Saturday, March 4, 1950, in Dallas, Texas, and soon after moved with her family to Kyoto, Japan, where her parents worked as missionaries for five years, helping to establish the Kyoto Bible Institute. They then lived in Neosho, Mo., Jacksonville, Fla., Smyrna, Ga., State College, Pa., Cumberland, Md., and finally moved back to the Atlanta area where she attended Wills High School and then Kennesaw College, where she met her husband Don. In 1987, Debbie, Don, and their four children moved to Salem, when Dons job with the railroad was transferred from Atlanta. She was actively involved in her childrens school activities as a room-mother, member of the PTA, administrative volunteer, and as a member of the Band Boosters. Debbie was also an avid gardener, with a particular love for collecting roses and orchids, and worked as a part-time employee of Obenchains Nursery for several years, where she was known for her expertise in and love of all things gardening. Additionally, she was a passionate traveler, visiting Europe more than 15 times over the last thirty years, and had a particular love for England and British culture. Debbie and Don have been faithful members of Grace Church in Roanoke, Va. since 1988. She had a special love for childrens ministry and was a nursery volunteer, an AWANA leader, and a Sunday school teacher for numerous years. She loved opening her home for church gatherings and small-group meetings, and because she had a special love for missions, often hosted visiting missionaries, as well. Her love for Jesus Christ was reflected in her generous and kind nature. Debbie is survived by her husband, Don, of 46 years; and her children, Robert (Maggie) Browning, Heather (Randy) Hartinger, Holly (Steven) King, and Elizabeth Browning; ten grandchildren; sister, Priscilla; brother-in-law, Don Boyer; and her faithful German Shepherd, Elska. The family extends a special thanks to Dr. William Fintel, Good Samaritan Hospice, the entire Grace Church family, and especially Alice Stoddard and Liz Williams and her husband, Dr. Sam Williams, for the loving care shown to Debbie and her entire family. A period of visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, August 10, 2016 at the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday, August 11, 2016 at Grace Church in Roanoke with burial immediately following at Sherwood Memorial Park in Salem. Pastor Timothy Martin will officiate. Online condolences may be expressed at www.johnmoakey.com.First Visitation

Wednesday, August 10th, 2016 6:00pm - 8:00pm,

John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home

305 Roanoke Boulevard Salem, Virginia 24153

Service Information

Thursday, August 11th, 2016 11:00am,

Grace Church

2731 Edgewood Street SW Roanoke, Virginia 24015

Interment Location

Sherwood Memorial Park

1250 East Main Street Salem, Virginia 24153