Barbara Browning

1926 - 2021

Barbara Browning

February 14, 1926 - October 29, 2021

Barbara "Peggy" Hamilton Browning of Lyndhurst, Va., went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday October 29, 2021. She was 95 years old.

Born in Roanoke, Va., on February 14, 1926, she was the second daughter of the late Edgar W. Hamilton Jr. and Barbara W. Hamilton.

During World War II, Peggy fearlessly served her country by training to be a civilian service pilot. As a student at University of Mary Washington she would come home on the weekends to accumulate more flying hours and instruction. Although she completed her pilot's training the war ended before she was able to fly her first official mission.

After the war she married Herbert "Mac" Browning, also of Roanoke. The young couple moved to Waynesboro, Va., after Mac took a job with DuPont and started their family. They raised two sons, Robert and Bradford. Peggy and Mac were happily married for 53 years before his passing.

Peggy was a homemaker that doted on her children and grandchildren. After her sons had grown she returned to school and finished her degree. She received her bachelors of library science from James Madison University. She worked as a librarian for the Waynesboro public school system for many years where she was able to share her love of reading with every child who stepped foot into her library. After her retirement Peggy continued to volunteer as a reading tutor for young children.

Peggy enjoyed traveling the world, baking her famous brownies, and playing bridge. She enjoyed swimming, skiing, genealogy research, and was an avid gardener. Peggy was a long-time member of Main Street United Methodist. She was adored by all who knew her. It was fitting her birthday was on Valentine's Day, because to know Peggy was to love her.

She was predeceased by her older sister, Jean Collier; her cherished husband, Mac; and her beloved sons, Robert and Brad.

She leaves behind her loving family, grandson, Thomas Browning of Greencastle, Pa.; granddaughter, Laura Watkins and her husband, Chris and their children; great-granddaughters, Felicity Watkins, and Marabelle Watkins of Boonsboro, Md.; daughter-in-law, Nancy Browning of Hagerstown, Md., as well as nephews and niece, and great- nephews and nieces.

The family would like to extend its deepest gratitude to Peggy's housekeeper, caregiver and most importantly friend Jeannette Carver for enabling her to retain her independence for many extra years. Her kindness and devotion were unparalleled. The family is indebted to Peggy's dear friend Barbara Barrett for her unwavering support and love. Thank you to the staff at Regency at Augusta Memory Care unit for your compassion and care.

The family will receive friends at McDow Funeral Home in Waynesboro, Va., on Monday, November 8, 2021, from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m., with a celebration of life directly after. Graveside service will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations in Barbara Browning's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or your local library.

McDow Funeral Home