John Franklin Browder

John Franklin Browder, 84, of Selmer died on January 21 at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital.

John Franklin Browder was born May 13, 1934 in Selmer, Mr. Browder graduated from McNairy County High School in 1953, having been a member of the Beta Club and the Trades and Industry Club. John served in the Tennessee Army National Guard from 1952 to 1955. Then he enlisted in the active Army in 1955, serving in a signal corps unit, rising to the rank of Corporal and serving as squad leader. He was sent to New Jersey for training in 1957. Afterward he was stationed at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico until the end of 1958.

John worked for Central Woodwork Company in Jackson during the 1960's. Then he worked for Rockwell Co. in Jackson. For a while during the 1970's he also repaired TVs and worked for many years for William Mitchell building houses. He always had his own shop where he worked in carpentry and mechanics. He was always willing to help anyone with auto issues or carpentry.

John taught Woodshop II at McNairy Central H.S. in 1986 and 1987 during which time he and his class built the Don Whitaker Stadium. Later John served as a volunteer firefighter at Sulphur Springs beginning in 1988.

John married Ramona Ann Barham on September 5, 1959. John and Ramona resided in Jackson until 1961 after which they moved to Henderson. In 1977 they moved on to Selmer where they remained. They were members of New Bethel Cumberland Presbyterian Church. John became an Elder in the church in August of 1979, serving until January of 1988. Afterward he served as Superintendent of Sunday Schools. He was on the committee for construction of improvements. The improvements began in 1979. John did the greater part of construction himself.

Blue was John's favorite color. One of his favorite things to say was "I'll wear any color as long as it's blue."

John is preceded in death by his parents William Franklin "Frank" Browder and Esther Bell Sanders-Browder as well as three brothers, James Richard, Malcolm Horace, and Winfred O'Neal Browder; two sisters, Mary Sue Browder and Sallie JoAnn Newman.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Ramona Ann Browder of Selmer; five sons, John Mark of White Bluff, Steven Wayne of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Tony Lynn of Cottontown, Gary Randall of Huron and Tracy Lee Browder of Selmer; five grandchildren; Amanda Rene Browder of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Steven Wesley Browder of Orlando, Florida, Victoria Leigh Browder of Hendersonville, Zachary Kyle Browder of New Deal and Cory Wayne Browder of Hendersonville, as well as three great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Marie Browder, Robert Blake Anthony Thurman and Isabella Rose Browder, all of Hendersonville; one brother, Billy Lee Browder of Selmer; three sisters; Nancy Alene Jones of Corinth, Mississippi, Esther Faye McCormick of Selmer and Audrey Maye Martin of Selmer.