Jan (Ramey) Browning

Jan Ramey Browning of Albuquerque, NM passed away April 17, 2019 at age 63. She was born March 3, 1956 in Hobbs, NM. She held a B.A. in Music Education from West Texas University (now West Texas A&M) and a M.S. in Ministry from Pepperdine University.

Jan had three loves in life. Her first was her husband, Jim Browning, who was her childhood neighbor and best friend turned high school sweetheart. She married Jim shortly after college, worked tables to get him through Law School in Virginia, and brought him back to New Mexico to raise their children near family. Jan and Jim celebrated their 40th anniversary last August on the banks of the Seine.

Her second love was music. Jan picked up the trombone at an early age and her skills put her through college. She also taught herself piano as a child by practicing at a neighbor’s house each morning before school started. Jan continued playing piano throughout her life, ending each day with the Allegretto from Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony.

Her third love was family. Jan worked part-time while her children were young so she could be with them, waking them each day with a “good morning” song of her own invention and seeing them off to bed each evening. Jan embraced motherhood wholeheartedly, cheerfully undertaking the thankless tasks of parenting: leading Cub Scouts, chaperoning field trips, hosting team dinners, and attending games, recitals, and events across the state.

When the children were older, Jan turned her love of music into a career. She taught music first at Albuquerque Christian School and then for many years at Sunset Mesa Elementary. While Jan’s twice-yearly schoolwide musicals were renowned for their humor and charm, her own joy came from watching each child blossom. She retooled every musical, adding or rearranging songs to include more voices, so that each child could have a part fit to showcase their talents. Though she loved the job immensely, family always came first; when her second grandchild was born Jan retired to spend more time with her daughter’s family in Dallas.

Jan was a longtime member of the Montgomery Blvd. Church of Christ where she served as a bookkeeper, sang on the praise team, and taught classes to all age groups. She treated the church as a second family, housing folks in need, throwing showers for new mothers, and feeding the hungry.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Irene and Ray Ramey. Jan is survived by her brothers and their families: Max Ramey, his wife Gayla, their son Josh, and his partner Justin Brown, and Jon Ramey, his wife Heather, and their children, Jeff, Jack, and Caitlin. She is survived by her husband, the Honorable James O. Browning, and her three children, Eli, Jacob and his partner Catherine Frizell, and Elizabeth Bell and her husband Zac Bell, and by her beloved grandchildren Bennett, Emma, and Aubrey Bell. Jan is also survived by her in-laws, Shirley and Weldon Browning.

Friends may visit Monday, April 22, 2019, 5:00-8:00 p.m., at FRENCH – Lomas. Services will be held Tuesday, April 23, 2019, 4:00 p.m., at Netherwood Park Church of Christ, 5101 Indian School Rd. NE, with a reception to follow at the church featuring Jan’s favorite: Monroe’s green chili enchiladas. A second service will follow on Wednesday, April 24, 2019, 2:00 p.m., at Jefferson St. Church of Christ in Hobbs, NM. Jan will be buried at Prairie Haven Cemetery in Hobbs, NM.