Eulalia Browning

Eulalia Browning, 97, of Abilene, passed away Monday, September 19, 2022 in Abilene.

Eulalia Estelle Browning was born May 31, 1925 in Lohn, TX to Emzy and Vera Browning. She adored her older brother, James (Jake) Vermillion Browning, and younger sister, Mary Joyce Thompson Ray, who each preceded her in death. In 1937, the family moved to Abilene, TX. Attending Abilene High School, she was in the Pep Squad and the Bluebonnet Girls where they would go to dances out at Camp Barkley and the Elks Club. She graduated in 1942 at an early age of 16 and began working at Mack Eplen’s Restaurant as a carhop. Through the years she worked in the fountain, as a waitress, cashier, manager, and eventually became part owner. Mack Eplen’s changed to Briarstone Group after Mack Eplen retired and sold the business to key employees, of which Eulalia was a very key employee. She had said, being a part owner of the Briarstone Group was a lot of work but a great accomplishment of which she was always immensely proud.

Eulalia was known by people all over town, having worked for Mack Eplen’s or the Briarstone for 57 years before her retirement in 1999. In addition to her relationships through work are her friendships from her church, at Rose Park Senior Citizen’s Center, where she shopped, banked, or did business, she engaged with others and became friends. As a loyal member of Highland Church of Christ, she cherished her friendships from Highland and those who continued to visit and reach out to her during the times of COVID when she could not attend in person, and then through her time in the nursing home.

All that knew Eulalia, know of her caring spirit for family and friends. Although she never married, she had family that was very dear to her. Danny Thompson – nephew, Carol Clark – niece, Kay Ballek – niece, Dennis Clark – great-nephew, Jeff Clark – great-nephew, Paige Atchison – great-niece, and Bryan Thompson – great-nephew. She also loved her friends and treated them like family. Friends and neighbors who were like family include Cassie Hughes, Verlyn and John Ward, and Pat Lee. There are others, too many to list, but if you are reading this and you knew Eulalia, you know that she cared about you, prayed for you, journaled about a conversation with you, and loved you graciously.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 5, at 11:00 am, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road.

Remembrances can be made to a favorite charity in need, Meals on Wheels, or Hendrick Hospice.