Gerald "Jerry" Dean Browning

Gerald “Jerry” Dean Browning, age 77, passed away peacefully July 24, 2024 after a short battle with cancer. While his earthly journey is over, Jerry was victorious in this final battle as he is now resting in the arms of his Lord and Savior, free from pain and suffering. Jerry was a long time member of Rutherford Memorial United Methodist Church.

Jerry was born September 15, 1946 to Jack and Grace Browning in Tazewell, TN. When Jerry was a teenager, the Browning family moved to Corryton where he attended Gibbs High School. It is there he met his true love and wife of 59 years, Phyllis McBee. Upon graduation, Jerry enlisted in the United States Army. In 1965, he and Phyllis married. Then she joined him in San Francisco, where Jerry was stationed. He was very proud of the work he did on the Nike Hercules Missile.

Five days short of their first wedding anniversary, Jerry and Phyllis welcomed their first daughter, Michelle (Missy). Following Jerry’s honorable discharge from the Army, he and Phyllis moved back home to Knoxville, where they welcomed two more daughters, Sonya and Tammy. Next to God, his wife and daughters were his top priorities and the recipients of his greatest, most unconditional love.

Jerry spent over three decades working in the telecommunications industry. He worked for Bell South and then AT&T after the split of “Ma Bell.” Eventually, he retired from the AT&T divestiture company, Lucent Technologies.

Jerry was a friend to all. He enjoyed reconnecting with friends from high school, the army, his church and the phone company. Even in his final days, his time was spent organizing a book of well-researched pop culture and historical events during the 1960s as well as classmate and former teacher information, including a class directory.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Grace Browning as well as his mother- and father-in-law, Eileen and Lloyd “Mack” McBee, his cousins Gary Green and Sandy McBee as well as a host of other close family and friends.

This profound loss is felt by his wife Phyllis, his daughters, Missy (David) Speaks, Sonya (Ken) Weathers and Tammy (Ben) Brooks; grandchildren, Laura (Kevin) Davis, Aaron Speaks and Ethan Weathers; great grandchildren, Elliot and Graham Davis, brother-in-law, Johnny McBee and many other family, friends and neighbors.

The family will receive friends at Berry Lynnhurst Funeral Home from 2:00 - 4:00 pm Sunday, July 28, 2024 with the funeral service immediately following. A graveside service will be held Monday, July 29th at 1:00 pm at Lynnhurst Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to donate to your favorite charity in memory of Gerald Browning. Condolences and Fond memories may be offered at www.berrylynnhurst.com for the Browning family.