Henry L. Browning

Henry L. Browning, III, 88, passed away peacefully at home on the morning of Sunday, October 16, 2011 in the presence of several of his children. He was born October 2, 1923 in Indianapolis, IN to Henry Lindsay Browning, II and Charity Anna Hendren.Bo, as he was known from the time of his childhood, served in the U.S. Army during WWII. He first served in the Army Corps of Engineers and later for the U.S. Army newspaper, The Stars and Stripes. He graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Business Administration. In 1948 he began his career as a Senior Accountant with Price Waterhouse and Company, CPAs in New York City. He also served as a Comptroller for the State Road Commission of West Virginia. He came to Morganton 1961 as Assistant Treasurer of Morganton Hosiery Mills, eventually rising to the position of Treasurer, Controller, and Assistant Secretary. He finished his career with Morganton Dye and Finishing Company as Chief Financial Officer in 1998 at the age of 75.He served as Treasurer of the Morganton Recreation Foundation for 43 years. Bo worked with a group of parents in the region to found the Western Carolina Swim Association and served the association as well as the Morganton Swim Team in every role from swim meet timer to League and Team President.Bo was a quiet man and a Quaker by faith. He loved and took great pride in his wife, Carol B. Browning, his five children and their families, and his grandchildren. He loved traditional jazz music and his Triumph TR3. Bo was passionate about playing and watching tennis. In 1971 he was a founding member of WUAC, the West Union Athletic Club. He served as its President, CEO, and Head Grounds Keeper. The friendships he developed here meant the world to him. He was part of the fabric of Morganton and he will be dearly missed. Bo was a proud member of the High Hat Society, founded in Indianapolis, IN early in the last century. He enjoyed many of his days on ?the backporch? reading, birdwatching, and celebrating with family and friends.

Bo is survived by his five children and their spouses; Lindsay C. Browning and wife, Deborah, of Charlotte, NC, Gilbert M. Browning of Morganton, Betty B. Browning and husband, Jeffrey S. Allen, of Nantucket, MA, Carol T. Browning of Burlington, NC, and Henry W. Browning and wife, Barbara, of Asheville, NC; and his two grandchildren, Taylor L. Browning of Greensboro, NC and Sydney M. Browning of Washington, D.C.The family will receive friends Wednesday, October 19, 2011 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center in Morganton. A celebration of life will be held at the family home on Saturday, October 22, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. Family and friends are invited to both gatherings. A meeting of the WUAC membership is planned during the celebration. Interment will be private.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Burke County Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 352, Morganton, NC 28680 or the Burke County Public Library, 204 S. King Street, Morganton, NC 28655.