Burrel L Browns

Burrel Leland Browns age 91, of Centerville, passed away Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at UnityPoint Health - St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids.
Burrel was born on January 25, 1932 in Clearfield, Iowa, the son of Irene Higginbotham Browns Hefner and Pearl Leland Browns. He graduated from Mystic High School with the Class of 1950. On January 21, 1951, Burrel was united in marriage to Jacquetta Marie Young, and to this union, a son was born, Michael. She preceded him in death on December 5, 2004. On July 16, 2005, Burrel married Kathryn Widmar. She also preceded him in death on August 6, 2018.
Burrel was drafted into the United States Army on September 3, 1952. On September 2, 1954, he was honorably discharged with the rank of Corporal. He then served on the Appanoose County Veterans Affairs Commission for a period of time. He was also the Legion Post Commander at Mystic Legion, Post #340 from 2003-2012.
Burrel was a professional portrait and commercial photographer all of his adult life. He began working at Bratz Studio on the Centerville Square in 1960, purchasing it in 1981, changing the name to Photography by The Browns, and retiring in 2005.
At the age of 14, Burrel accepted Christ in Collins, Iowa at the Church of Christ, and as an adult, he continued to serve the Lord as a Lay Pastor in many churches and sang in the church choirs in the Appanoose and Wayne County areas. In his free time, Burrel loved to work with his hands, and was a Clock Repair Technician for 55 years. He was active in forming the Appanoose County Shooting Club as a board member and firearms instructor. Burrel was also active in the Boy Scouts as Scout Master in Corydon, Iowa from 1957-1964. During that time, he served as District Commissioner.
Left to honor Burrel's memory are his grandson, Christopher Browns; his brother, Barrie Preston Browns, and his wife, Pat; as well as several extended family members.
Burrel was preceded in death by his wives, Jackie and Kathyrn Browns; his parents; and his son and his wife, Michael (Kathy) Browns.
Graveside services with full military rites will be conducted at 2:00PM, Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at the Iowa Veteran's Cemetery, 34024 Veterans Memorial Dr, Adel, IA 50003. Memorials may be written to The Family of Burrel Browns, to be determined at a later date, and may be mailed to Thomas Funeral Home, ATTN: Browns family, 501 North 18th Street, Centerville, Iowa 52544. Condolences may be shared online at www.thomasfh.com or on our funeral home Facebook page, www.facebook.com/thomasfuneralhome.