TOMMIE RUTH BROWNING NORTON stepped into the
arms of Jesus Christ on June 15, 2019, with burial
in Little Bethel Memorial Parial at Duncanville,
TX.
She was born in Desdemona, TX on Aug. 2, 1928, the
5th of 10 children born to Thomas Lafayette & Ruth
Whitefield Browning. She was her daddy's favorite
and if you didn't know it, she would be sure and
tell you!
Raised in the thick of the Great Depression in the
West Texas oil boom town of Ranger, she grew into
a woman of strength and grit, traits that remained
with her for the duration of her life. She instilled
these same traits in her children and grandchildren
as well. She graduated from Ranger High School in
1946 and Ranger Jr. College, where she was once
crowned Rodeo Queen.
Tommie married Lonnie Jack Norton in Nov. of 1951.
They had three sons, Michael Joe, Russell Wayne,
and James Phillip. As we speak, they are all
reunited and rejoicing in Heaven. Lonnie and
Tommie made their family home in Cedar Hill, TX.
She worked for First Bank and Trust of Cedar Hill
for several decades and later retired from Alvarado
National Bank. She started her career in the banking
industry as a teller and retired as vice president
and cashier.
In 1993, she moved to Paris, TX so she could spend
her retirement with her family: Russell, Jennifer,
Joni, and Lonnie. Joni and Lonnie were so blessed
to have a Memaw who loved them with her whole heart
and was their biggest fan and a proud Aggie Grandma!
She went on to work at the Montgomery Shop-A-Lot,
later Food Fast, for 20+ years. She also volunteered
at Paris Regional Medical Center & was an avid bowler.
She spent a number of years running a candy stand with
her sister, Fern, at Canton First Monday Trade Days.
Needless to say, she always kept herself busy and was
always up for an adventure. Above all, Tommie had a
heart of gold. She loved her family with a fierceness
not many have seen. She was a loyal and caring friend
to many, and she would tell anyone exactly what she
thought.
Tommie was preceded in death by her husband, Lonnie
Jack, and sons, Michael Joe, Russell Wayne, and James
Phillip Norton; parents, Thomas and Ruth Browning;
Siblings, Harold Browning, Hoyett Browning, Ima Jean
Trosclair, Jack Browning (RHS-1944), Edith Browning
Cazee (RHS-1950), and Douglas Browning (RHS-1964).
Survivors include her grandchildren, Lonnie Norton
and girlfriend, Meagan Garrett and Joni Dyas & husband
Justin; daughter-in-law, Jennifer Norton; great-grand-
children, Dovie and Reed Dyas; siblings, Fern Veazey,
Sharon Davis and Landon Browning along with numerous
nieces & nephews and a host of friends.