Annie Ruth Browning

Ruth (Gantt) Browning, age 81, of Battle Lake, Minnesota, formerly of Watkinsville, Georgia, passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of her family.

Ruth was born on June 15, 1944, in Gainesville, Georgia, to the late Sherman Carey Gantt and Myra (Tanner) Gantt. Ruth attended Sprayberry High School in Marietta, Georgia, graduating with the Class of 1965. Following high school, she continued her education at the Area Vocational Technical School in Marietta, where she earned her Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) degree in 1966.

Ruth dedicated many years of her life to caring for others through her work as a nurse. She was employed at St. Mary's Hospital from 1981 until her retirement in 2004, where she was known for her compassion, kindness, and unwavering dedication to her patients.

In 1972, Ruth was united in marriage to Charles Edward Lankford, who preceded her in death in 1977. She later found love again and married William "Bill" Browning on November 5, 1983. Together, they made their home in Watkinsville, Georgia, where they enjoyed a peaceful life in retirement, filled with rest, relaxation, and time spent together. Bill preceded her in death in June of 2024.

Ruth had a creative and gentle spirit. She found great joy in quilting, sewing, and painting with acrylics, often sharing her talents with those she loved. Her warmth, creativity, and caring nature will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Charles Lankford and Bill Browning; her son-in-law Randy Clark; and her brother-in-law, Johnny Epps.

Ruth is lovingly remembered by her daughter, Kristie Clark; her son, Keith (Chantell) Lankford; her two grandchildren, Augustine and Sherman; and her sister, Helen Epps of Watkinsville, Georgia, along with many extended family members and dear friends.

Funeral services will be held Thursday March 26, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Little & Davenport Funeral Home. Dr. Bill Coates will officiate. Interment will follow in the Alta Vista Cemetery.

Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com

Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Georgia 30501 is in charge of arrangements.