Patricia Browning

Easley, SC

Patricia Thomas Browning, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and follower of Christ, peacefully passed away on September 13, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Born on April 21, 1935, in Greenville, South Carolina, she was the daughter of the late C.H. “Doodle” and Lucille Foster Thomas.

Pat grew up in the Dunean textile mill community in Greenville, a time she looked back on fondly. She graduated from Parker High School, attended Mars Hill Junior College (now Mars Hill University), and completed her bachelor’s degree at Furman University. She continued her education at The Carver School of Missions (now part of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary), where she completed a master’s degree in missions and met her husband of fifty-five years, James. Pat later completed a second master’s degree at the University of South Florida.

Pat’s faith in God was the cornerstone of her life. Her greatest desire was that everyone would come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. She served as church pianist and choir director in her younger years and served on numerous church committees, but she had a true calling as a Bible teacher, teaching a Sunday School class with more than a hundred people at one point. She was a dedicated member and choir member of the First Baptist Church of Bradenton for more than fifty years before moving in her later years to be with family in Inverness, FL, where she was an active member of Cornerstone Baptist Church, and finally Easley, SC, where she attended East Pickens Baptist Church. Her faith was woven into every aspect of her life, serving as an inspiration to all who knew her.

Pat taught middle school home economics and science in Bradenton for more than thirty years, where she made a lasting impact on the lives of her students and their families. She authored three books, sewed beautifully, and enjoyed gardening.

Patricia is survived by her loving daughter, Beth Browning and devoted son-in-law Lynn Lineman; her son, Jim Browning; her grandson, Doyle (Tamara) Browning; her granddaughter, Leanne (John) Gardner; and her cherished great-grandchildren, Lillian and Reagan Gardner. She is also survived by step-grandson, Kyle Lineman (Amanda) and step great grandchildren Madison, Ryan, and Jackson. Each of them carries forward her legacy of love, faith, and learning. In addition to her parents and her husband, Pat was predeceased by her only brother, Harold Thomas, when she was a teenager.

A celebration of Pat’s life will take place on Monday, October 12 at 10:00 at First Baptist Church of Bradenton, where family and friends will gather to honor her life’s journey and the many lives she touched.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorials be made to First Baptist Church of Bradenton, FL or Cornerstone Baptist Church of Inverness, FL.

Patricia Thomas Browning will be remembered not only for her dedication to her faith and education but also for her unfailing kindness, warmth, and love for her family and friends. Her legacy will forever shine brightly in the hearts of those she inspired and those she led to Christ.

To share a memory or leave a condolence for the family please visit libertymortuary.com. Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements locally.

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