Virginia Louise Jackson "Jinny" Browning

MAYSVILLE — Mrs. Virginia "Jinny" Louise Jackson Browning, 93, long-time Maysville resident, community benefactor, and beloved matriarch passed away on Friday, Feb. 21, at Meadowview Regional Hospital.

Jinny was born on Oct. 16, 1931, the only child of John Winslow and Virginia Rose Jackson. She grew up in East Aurora, N.Y., and graduated as valedictorian from East Aurora High School in 1949. She was a member of the National Honor Society, the Service Club, and the Science Club.

A proud alumna of Cornell University, Jinny graduated in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science in Bacteriology and Chemistry and was honored as a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.

Jinny was the cherished wife of the late L.L. Browning Jr. (Larry), former CEO of Browning Manufacturing. The couple married in June of 1953 and settled in Maysville, where their wedding album remained a treasured keepsake and a source of fond memories for their grandchildren.

Throughout her life, Jinny was an unwavering volunteer and an active member of the Maysville community. She contributed to numerous local organizations, including the Church of the Nativity, area schools, and Hayswood Hospital. As a founding member of the Maysville Players, Jinny played a pivotal role in bringing live theater to the area, both as a performer in leading roles and as a director.

In 1973, when Larry took an executive position with Emerson Electric, the Brownings moved to St. Louis. There, Jinny's involvement in the cultural community blossomed as she became deeply engaged with the Opera Theatre of St. Louis, the Central Institute for the Deaf, the St. Louis Science Center, Circus Flora, Webster University, the Community Music School, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, and the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. The Virginia Jackson Browning Theatre at the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts was named in her honor for her tireless dedication to the Opera Theatre.

After 37 years in St. Louis, the Brownings returned to Maysville in 2010, where Jinny continued her active service to the Episcopal Church and many local community organizations.

A lifelong traveler, Jinny was passionate about exploring the world and delighted to share her travel stories, photographs, and journals with loved ones. Another enduring interest was her love for theater, especially live productions in London, and she enjoyed sharing her reviews with family and friends. Additionally, she was an avid hiker, skier, reader, and needleworker, passing on these passions to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Jinny's lifelong curiosity and joy in learning were infectious, and she was always eager to share her knowledge with those around her. Above all, her family was the center of her life, and she cherished weekly Thursday night dinners with friends.

Jinny is survived by her three daughters, Virginia Louise (Joseph) Browning-Illick, Kathryn Nulton (Douglas) Hendrickson, and Dorothy Winslow (Jack) Hunn; eight grandchildren, Eric Illick; Adair Hendrickson (Clint) Ravencraft, Zorayda Hendrickson (Phil) Marchand, Laura

Hendrickson (John) Brooks, Alexandra Hendrickson (Chad) Kelly, Winslow Moore (Ross) Blankenship, Maxene Dominey (Eric) Krol, and Moira Ann O'Neil; and 12 great-grandchildren, Cooper Bradford Ravencraft, Claire McCoy Ravencraft, Duffield Bye Ravencraft, Jackson Rose Blankenship, Lily Nulton Blankenship, Theodore Ross Blankenship, Rylan Thomas Marchand, Virginia Adair Brooks, Elizabeth Callaway Brooks, Axel Gene Krol, Kathryn Green Kelly, and Charles Simmons Kelly III.

Jinny's love and generosity extended far beyond her family, touching the lives of many friends and neighbors she considered family. She believed fervently in the power of education, and her commitment to helping young people fulfill their dreams of higher education left a lasting impact. In 2021, she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Webster University in recognition of her dedication to education, the arts, and lifelong learning.

Jinny faced life with a hopeful, positive attitude, remaining a beacon of optimism even as she lost her vision. During a recent family Christmas dinner, she was praised for her continued positivity, to which she replied, that's the only way to live.

She will be deeply missed, but her indomitable spirit will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

A celebration of Jinny's remarkable life will be held at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions can be made to the L.L. Browning Jr. Scholarship Fund Hayswood Foundation or Hospice of Hope.