Page 40 - some-stuff-i-wrote-and-some-stuff-i-didn't-(2011)-h-morris-williams

Some Stuff I Wrote and Some Stuff I Didn't (2011) H. Morris Williams

had helped my life. Sometimes I did it in public much as I am doing now. I am
glad she got to hear me say that while she was alive.

When I started doing some newspaper writing, Mrs. Browning would call me from
time to time to say something complimentary and encouraging about my column.

She said she particularly liked my columns “Rest in Peace, Benjamin Duke”,
“How Sweet The Sound,” and “Hurst’s Hole in the Wall." Her kind words were
my most treasured compliment.

At first, I thought she was doing all those supportive things just for me exclusively
but then I learned that she was also doing similar things for many of her other
former students as well. Two were Barbara Carpenter, our school system’s 1993
Employee of the Year and Burl Jenkins, twice the Melrose Park Elementary
“Teacher of the Year”.

I have heard those two and countless others say that Mrs. Browning was the
best teacher they ever had.

Reverend Carson Brittain, pastor emeritus of the First Baptist Church and Mrs.
Browning’s long time pastor and friend, delivered the eulogy at Mrs. Browning’s
funeral service.

In his concluding remarks, Rev. Brittain said, “For 91 years Ethel Browning
belonged to us. Now she belongs to the ages.”

Then, paraphrasing Philippians 1:3, he added, “I thank my God for every
remembrance of Ethel Browning.”

Then, at Rev. Brittain’s suggestion, we all repeated the same heartfelt words
aloud in unison.

Of course I repeated the words along with everyone else-except that I said
MRS. Ethel Browning.

Indeed! A woman for the ages!

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