Thomas Edgar Browning
Submitted by Marylee W. KnightThomas Edgar Browning was born on Nov. 2, 1884, the son of John Tolbert and Mary Ellen (Watson) Browning. His mother died on April 10, 1885 when he was not quite six months old. According to family stories, Tolbert's sister, Annie Browning, lived with him and helped take care of Thomas Edgar until September 1887 when Tolbert married Mrs. Mary Ellen (Hays) Cock. Some sources say Annie came from Tennessee to help her brother during this period, while others say she was already in Texas and, therefore, available to assist with Thomas Edgar. She possibly remained in Tolbert's household after his marriage as she herself did not marry until 1891. Thomas Edgar died January 22, 1963 and is buried in Langley Cemetery near Beckville.
His first wife was Ethel Norcross who was born Aug. 18, 1888, died May 1, 1913 and is buried in Langley Cemetery. Their only child was John Cullen Browning who was born Oct. 13, 1912. John Cullen Browning married Vera Price from Frankston, TX and pursued a career as a journalist, ending his career as the editor of "The Orange Leader" in Orange, TX. Thomas Edgar and Ethel also raised another child as if he were their own son and, indeed, always called him their son. This young man was born Lawrence Lewis Armstrong. The circumstances under which he came to live with the Brownings is unknown and no formal adoption proceedings have been found, but he always used the last name of Browning. He was born June 16, 1910 and died on June 4, 1936 when he was run over by a freight train at the Carthage depot.
Following the death of Ethel, Thomas Edgar married Avery Annie Zorn who was born Aug. 25, 1896, died Aug. 7, 1871 and is buried in Langley Cemetery. Annie was the daughter of T. Zorn and Josie (Shettles) Zorn. The children of Thomas Edgar and Annie are as follows:
Annie T. Browning who was born Nov. 29, 1917. She married Jesse W. Jackson and they have made their home in Shreveport, LA.
Tom Tolbert Browning who was born Oct. 12, 1921. Tom Tolbert never married, but is warmly remembered for the enthusiasm with which he embraced life however he found it, his delight in simple things and for his gentle nature.
Edwin Mouzon Browning, a twin, was born July 1, 1924. The other baby, thought to have been a boy, was apparently stillborn and is buried at Langley Cemetery with a tombstone that simply reads, "Baby Browning, July 1, 1924."
Guston Hassell Browning was a Methodist minister who pastored churches all over East Texas. His hobby was genealogy and he spent countless hours detailing the family's history.
Ellen Marie Browning was born March 12, 1929. She married Maxie Lowery and they have made their home in Shreveport, LA.
Avery Jean Browning was born June 17, 1932.