Beverly Joyce Browning, of Anderson, passed away April 8, 2020 after an extended illness.
She was born August 7, 1936, in Anderson, where she resided all her life until she moved to St Augustine, Florida in 2017. She was the daughter of Carl and Betty (Plough) Humke.
She is survived by her children; Becky Petersen (Blaine) of St. Augustine, Jeff (Birgit) Browning of Germany, Brian Browning of Edgewood, Brenda (Peter) Ruffing of St. Augustine; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister Jane Ann (John Robert) McDuffee of Anderson.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Kenneth Lee Browning, who passed away in 2015; sisters and brothers-in-law, Carolyn (Jim) Carlisle and Gloria (Jack) Baker.
Bev Browning is recognized as a True Leader in the Anderson community. When Bev and her husband Ken moved from the country to Noble Street in Anderson, they became concerned about the crime in their neighborhood and wanted to help.
In 1996, Neighborhood Crime Watch didn’t exist in Anderson but a newly appointed Police Chief at APD had visions of implementing a new concept called Community Oriented Policing. Bev and Ken met with the Chief to ask what they could do to help, and a partnership was formed to develop Crime Watch groups throughout the city.
Bev voluntarily went to work walking door to door and had her neighborhood completely on board with more than 40 neighbors/members within two weeks! Bev became the volunteer in charge for the City of Anderson.
Anderson Crime Watch grew from 0 to 300 people in three short years and by 2003 expanding to more than 700 active members. Bev didn’t stop with Crime Watch meetings. Her ideas and diligent work helped to create the Block Parties that are still hosted in the City Parks today.
Bev donated countless hours to grow the Crime Watch program, speaking to groups, walking door to door and working with the Community Oriented Policing Officers. She never asked for financial help when hosting or planning events. Bev and her family enjoyed participating, planning and preparing annual dinners, including her infamous fruit pizza and butterscotch pies, for the Crime Watch members that still exists today.
In 2016, Bev was presented a plaque and named for the Outstanding Service Award by Mayor Thomas Broderick, Jr. before she retired from being a community volunteer.
Community Policing is now a standard practice in many communities today. When city officials talk about the Crime Watch program in Anderson, Indiana the name Bev Browning is always intertwined in that conversation.
Bev Browning loved her community and she loved the COP’s Program. The City of Anderson and the Police Department were truly blessed to have a dear, kind and dedicated partner/friend like Bev Browning.
Beverly also had a love of horses. She was a 4-H leader, supported her kids every weekend at horse shows, and was the secretary of the Indiana State Fair Western Horse Show. Beverly was a softball coach, loved bowling and Bingo.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic and in the interest of public health and safety, services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting The American Pancreatic Association.
Post online condolences at www.rozelle-johnson.com.