Emmett Browning Sr.

Reverend Dr. Emmett Browning, Sr. was born in Spartanburg County on March 28, 1936, to the late Major and Estelle Browning. He was the seventh of ten children. Reverend Dr. Emmett Browning, Sr. was preceded in death by his wife, the late Mary Edith Bostic Browning and the great-great grandchild, Zolenn Tate. Reverend Dr. Emmett Browning, Sr. came from humble beginnings and hard work as the son of a sharecropper. Reverend Dr. Emmett Browning, Sr. accepted Christ at an early age.

Reverend Dr. Emmett Browning, Sr. was married on June 22, 1958 to the late Mary Edith Bostic of this union were born five children: Presiding Elder Sharon Browning, Mary Janette Mackey, Sandra D.

McNeil (Thomas), and Emmett E. Browning all from Rock Hill, SC; Tamula B. Helmuth (Jordan) of Winter Garden, FL; eight grandchildren, Chad Kirk (Shamecca), Cherita Kirk, Zadgery McNeil, Erin Gray, Jeremy McNeil, Nina Mackey, Skylar Helmuth, and Jewel Helmuth; six great-grandchildren:

Angel Kirk, Brinae McNeil, Alani Kirk, Zaire Williams, Jeremiah McNeil, and Journee McNeil; great-great-grandchildren: London Kirk, Bleu Kirk, Zoey Jackson, and Zayne Jackson; his two brothers, Jessie Browning (Corrie) of Enoree, SC, and Matthew Browning of Greer, SC.

Reverend Dr. Emmett Browning, Sr. received his education from the public schools of Woodruff, SC, Clinton Junior College and York Technical College. He received his Honorary Doctorate from Clinton Junior on May 10, 1996.

Reverend Dr. Emmett Browning, Sr. was called to the ministry at the age of 16 and preached his trial sermon in 1952 at his home church - New Hope AME Zion in Sedalia, I SC. However, he preached his unofficial sermon at the home house for his father, mother, and other family members. Reverend Dr. Emmett Browning, Sr. pastoral charges which consisted of the Palmetto Annual Conference, Pee Dee Annual Conference, and South Carolina Annual Conference included the following AME Zion Churches: Gold Mine - Fairfield Circuit, Caldwell Circuit, Rice's Chapel - Old Zion Circuit, Pleasant Grove - New Zion Circuit, Antioch, Mt. Nebo - Rossville Circuit, Mt. Calvary - Salem Circuit, Clinton Chapel, Brown's Chapel, Shiloh, and Mt. Zion - Hickory Grove. Reverend Dr. Emmett Browning, Sr. also served as one of the assistants to the late Dr. M.B. Robinson, the Presiding Elder of the York-Chester District of the South Carolina Conference during his illness.

During his tenure, Reverend Dr. Emmett Browning, Sr. completed projects such as renovations including dining halls, indoor restrooms, replacing roofs, and paving church parking lots. He hosted the Annual Conference while pastoring Clinton Chapel AME Zion Church in Union, SC - the late Bishop Arthur Marshall, Jr. was the Presiding Prelate. The new fellowship hall and renovation of the sanctuary at Mt. Zion AME Zion Church, Hickory Grove, SC came forth under his pastorate. He led projects to liquidate mortgages and left no churches in debt. Reverend Dr. Emmett Browning, Sr. retired from active ministry in 2006 during the 140th Session of the South Carolina Annual Conference after fifty-two years of service to God and the AME Zion Church. After retiring, Reverend Dr. Emmett Browning, Sr. would accompany and support his daughter, Dr. Sharon Browning to her pastoral appointments. However, later he joined St. Matthew AME Zion Church and attended until his illness made it impossible for him to attend. He later joined the Men Of Zion that was a joy to him - the fellowship, the brotherhood, the love!

Reverend Dr. Emmett Browning, Sr. personal and community achievements include retiring from Duke Power and the city of Rock Hill where he was a professional welder. He was a life-time member of the Rose of Sharon Lodge #156, F and M, PWA serving sixty plus years, served as past Chaplain of the South Central Neighborhood Association, and participated in Community Crime Watch.

Reverend Dr. Emmett Browning, Sr. was a devoted husband to his bride, father, granddaddy, and of course pastor who displayed many qualities among them being leadership, faithfulness, prayer, dedication, integrity, wisdom and strength. He was a mentor for so many clergy and laity. Reverend Dr. Emmett Browning, Sr. loved God, loved the church, and loved all people .

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Kenneth Monroe Transformation Center P.O. Box 10272 Rock Hill, SC. 29731.