Betty Jewell Browning's Obituary
Betty Jewell Browning, 87, of Culpeper passed away after a 15-month long illness on Monday, February 24, 2025. She was born March 24, 1937 to the late Shelby and Mary Wheeler in Hanging Rock, OH. Betty is preceded in death by her spouse, Richard Lee Browning.
Betty Jewell Browning was born in Hanging Rock, Ohio as Betty Jewell Wheeler. Her parents were Charles Shelby Wheeler and Mary Elizabeth Gallion Wheeler. She grew up with 3 siblings: Vernon Wheeler, Charlotte Wheeler, and Buryl Wheeler. She has sisters in law: Carol and Christine.
Her family moved to Holden, West Virginia Coal Mine Community #22 which turned into a community model. She met who would be her husband, Richard Lee Browning, in high school. They had four children together: Terry who they lost in the first week of his life, Brenda Jo, Michael Eugene, and Kristi Carroll.
After living briefly in Massachusetts, they moved to Falls Church, Virginia and that is where they raised their children. Later when all the children were in school, in addition to raising a family, Betty started working at Langley private school in Mclean, Virginia. She drove a small school bus and later worked in the school office. However, all along she worked hours that allowed her to be home for her family. Once the children were grown and Richard retired, they moved to Culpeper, Virginia. In Culpeper, Betty worked at Culpeper Baptist Home for over 20 years as receptionist and bus driver for resident activities. She was involved in the garden club, and volunteered at the Culpeper Hospital gift shop.
She also has grandchildren: Danielle, Jason, Chris, Nathan, Jessica; and great grandchildren: Olivia, Ethan, Logan, Marley, Liam, and Tegan.
Betty and Richard lived first on Lovers Lane, and then on Pin Oak Drive in Culpeper. After Richards death 18 years ago, she joined a social group that connected her to people who all became friends and did activities together. She had many neighbors and friends in Culpeper, as well as friends from Falls Church and West Virginia who continued to be friends even after they moved to Culpeper. As long as she was able, she always made time for travelling back to West Virginia and to Ohio.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 8, 2025 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Found and Sons Funeral Chapel of Culpeper, 850 Sperryville Pike, Culpeper, VA.
A funeral service will follow at the funeral home beginning at 2:30 p.m. with Pastor Sandy Martin officiating.
The family invites those unable to attend to view via livestream link https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTc0MDU4MjA0MzM1MTcxMCZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==
Interment will be held privately.
An online guestbook and tribute wall are available at www.foundandsons.com
Found and Sons Funeral Chapel of Culpeper is serving the family.
What’s your fondest memory of Betty?
What’s a lesson you learned from Betty?
Share a story where Betty's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Betty you’ll never forget.
How did Betty make you smile?