Emma C. Browning

Emma C. Browning, age 99, of Austin passed away on Friday, April 23, 2010. She was born October 26, 1910 in Eastland, Texas to James William Carter and Pamelia Lousia Gilbreath – a family of 11 children. Her mother died when Emma was 8 and she was raised by her father with help from her older siblings. Emma attended Abilene Business College and was an "employed lady" in the insurance industry. In 1929 she had her first plane ride and fell in love with aviation. She met daredevil pilot, Robert Browning and they were married in 1930. She earned her pilots license in 1939. Emma and Robert moved to Austin to compete for government contracts to train pilots as WWII was beginning. Her husband was hands on with the planes and Emma managed the business; Browning Aerial Service, a Fixed Base Operation at Robert Mueller Municipal Airport. Robert passed away in 1973 and she continued operating the business with her son. Emma was personally acquainted with the great Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindberg. Her love of, and dedication to, the aviation industry was recognized when in 2005 she was inducted into The Texas Aviation Hall of Fame. One goal that did not come to fruition was to see an aviation museum built in the area. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert M Browning and her only son Robert M Browning III. "Aunt Emma's" survivors include her sister, Opal King of Ranger, TX; nephews and nieces, M B Hogan and wife Cora of Arlington, TX, Dee Hogan and wife Joleen of Fort Worth, TX, Glenn Hogan and wife Sarita of Seattle WA, Joy Hogan Harris of Odessa, TX, Sherry King Warren of Ranger, TX and Johny Bob King of Mineral Wells, TX, and Jim DeGraw and wife Caroline of The Netherlands; as well as numerous grand and great grand nieces and nephews. Special thanks to A-Med Hospice for their loving care of Emma and her family. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 27th at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, North Lamar. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at First Baptist Church, Austin (where Emma was a longtime member). Graveside services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Thursday at Eastland City Cemetery, Eastland, Texas. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to First Baptist Church Foundation, 901 Trinity, Austin TX 78701-2635