Rebecca Anne (Hemphill) Browning passed on to be part of nature on Wednesday, October 2, 2019.
She was born July 16, 1954, the daughter of Herschel W. and Anne E. (Kelley) Hemphill (both deceased).
She attended Vinland Elementary School and graduated from Baldwin High School in 1972.
On June 16, 1973 she married Rockie Charles Browning of Lawrence, KS. He survives of the home.
Rebecca, also known as Becky, worked briefly at All Star Dairy in Lawrence, Sears in Ottawa, Maupintour Travel in Lawrence and Lawrence Public Schools from 1994 to 2016. Her favorite part of her secretarial career was at Free State High School helping the counseling staff and students.
Survivors include her daughter Amber Walckner (Wade), Grandchildren Sophia and Silas Walckner and son Ryan Browning all of Lawrence; a brother James Hemphill (Connie) of Tucson, Arizona and Howard Hemphill (Elizabeth) of Baldwin City, as well as cousins Byron Strom (Becky), Des Moines, Iowa and Kathy Renes (Gertjan), The Netherlands as well as all their children and grandchildren and an Uncle, Malcolm Strom of Dwight, Kansas.
Becky loved spending time with her family and enjoying nature. In 2006 she and Rockie moved back to the family home place, “Bittersweet Farm”, south of Vinland and homesteaded in 1866. Her passion became exploring the woods in spring, identifying wild flowers and digging in the family dumpsite and surrounding barnyard area to find old pharmacy bottles and other relics that had been discarded by her ancestors over the years. Her family will scatter her ashes in the woods where she loved to walk.
A celebration of life will be 4:00 p.m. Sunday, October 20, 2019 at the Carnegie Building.
Becky would like to thank her family for all of their love and support through this journey. She would also like to thank her many friends whom she considered her “Band of Angels” because they seemed to know intuitively when she needed a phone call, card or an invitation to coffee or lunch.
The family suggests memorials to be made to the Lawrence Boys and Girls Club, the Stony Point Cemetery Association or Lawrence Memorial Hospital Endowment Association’s Catch a Break program, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost funeral home.
Rockie, Saw the obit just now (Mon 11/4). Hadn’t heard. I am so, so sorry for your loss!! Hard to imagine anything worse or harder to bear! Wish I had know Becky directly, but your love for her always showed. Best to you, Ryan, and Amber.
Rockie … please know that I’m keeping you in my thoughts and prayers for solace. Becky was a lovely person, who will be missed by many.
Dear Rockie and Amber,
Oh, my, yes. Dear Becky’s smile. What a beautiful woman who loved life and taught us all to be better through her easy example. She is missed. What a privilege to have known her. My affectionate sympathy.
Dear Rocky and Amber, I was so sorry to learn of your tremendous loss from Adrienne. I only worked a short time in your family salon but I remember what a kind woman she was . Please accept my deepest condolences. She was a lovely woman and left a lasting impression. Her love will always be with you both.
Condolences to Rockie, Amber and Ryan and family. Been reflecting the last few days on the good times when our children were growing up on Wimbledon Circle. Those memories live on. I saw Becky a few months ago while shopping and had a chance to visit and catch up on our lives. While she was still battling, she was her typical smiling, hopeful self. A very special person, indeed.
I learned so much from Miss Becky! She always guided me in the positive direction and was always quick to lend a helping hand. She taught me everything I could possibly know about not only keeping great attendance records but also how to be happy, cheery, and always positive! I am so thankful I got to know her in my life! Becky you will be missed, especially your warmth and smile! My condolences to your dear husband and sweet family!
I am so so so sorry to hear this news. Becky was always one of the bright spots at FSHS, and I many times went to the guidance office just to say hello to her, because she always had a smile and something cheerful to say.
We were saddened to hear of Becky’s passing. We extend our heartfelt condolences to you, Rockie, and your family. Becky was a sweet lady who touched many lives. She will surely be missed by all. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Faith joins me in extending our deepest sympathy to you Rockie, and your beloved extended family. How blessed you all were in having such a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, etc. for these many years. Remember them well.
Rockie & Family,
We were very sorry to hear of Becky’s passing. You and your family are in our thoughts.
Words @ a time like this are oft difficult: For a life well lived & a disease hard fought, she will always be with you. Our best thoughts to you & yours,
Rockie, Amber & Wade, and Ryan – I was so sorry to hear about Becky. She fought long and hard and is at peace now and watching over all of you. Prayers and hugs .
I am so sorry to learn of Becky’s passing. Please accept my condolences to you, Rockie, and to your family for your loss. May you hold her memory dear.
No words can help your broken heart, but please know that you have friends and family that want to be by your side. May the memories of good times fill the days ahead.
Dear Rockie and family, please know that you are in our prayers and thoughts with Becky’s passing.
Rockie, Amber & Ryan,
May the love Beckie had for you and your children inspire all of you as you go forward.
She was one great person.
Truly one of the kindest women I’ve ever met. Wish I had had more years working with her… The few that I did have were incredible. My condolences to her family.
So sorry to hear of Becky’s passing. She was always so helpful and kind to students and staff at Free State. She will be missed by so many. Prayers to you, Rocky, and your family!❤️
Dear Rockie & family: Our thoughts and concerns go out to you at this trying time. We were very fond of her. George & Sherry Catt
Becky was always that smile that I would see every day at Free State High School. She always went above and beyond for students as well as for teachers. I loved her positive energy, her creativity as she put up bulletin boards, her compassion she offered students who were troubled, and her heart she freely gave to all she met. She will certainly be missed. Prayers being sent to her family and friends.
The sadness felt by the Browning family is shared by all of us who knew any member of this special family.
Very sorry to hear about Becky’s passing. My prayers are with you Rocky and the family.
Rockie, our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
I loved working with Becky at FSHS. She was always patient and kind. She will be missed in this world. My prayers will be for your family at this time.
Our hearts are breaking for you. Becky was a wonderful woman, wife and mother. We feel blessed to have known her. We send you our love and will keep all of you in our prayers during this difficult time.
How lucky I am to have known Becky as a colleague and a friend. She was a beautiful strong woman, always smiling. My thoughts of peace go out to you, Rocky, and your family.
We were so saddened by the news of Becky’s passing yesterday. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family. May you sense God’s presence and comfort as you celebrate her life and mourn her loss.
We hope your many memories and support of friends will comfort you, Rocky. Hugs!
We’re so sad to hear about Becky’s passing. Rockie, you and your family are in our thoughts.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Ryan and his family. I’ve known Ryan for years, and his sister for the last 10 years. I met them through my brother Chris. What an amazing family!!!
So sorry to hear of the passing of Becky. I enjoyed working with her at Free State. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this difficult time.
Sorry to learn of the passing of Becky. It was a pleasure to have known her and she is at peace now.
My heart is aching with you. May His perpetual light shine upon you Becky. Rockie, Amber, Ryan and family, I am holding you in my prayers.