Dennis Browning

Rev. Dennis Ray Browning, 67, of Holden WV laid down for a nap and entered Heaven’s pearly
gates on April 2nd, 2023.

Dennis, often referred to as “preacher” was born on June 8, 1955 in Logan Co WV to the late Arville 
and Mary Ruth Browning (Trent) of Monitor WV. He was a 1973 graduate of Logan High School and 
shortly thereafter departed for Nebraska where he worked for the Burlington Northern railroad. He 
returned back to Logan in the spring of 1975 where he worked as a coal miner and mine foreman for 
various coal companies until he became disabled in 2002. He had a short career in commercial 
painting/contracting from 1982-1985 when he formed his own business D.R.B. Painting Company. He 
became an ordained Freewill Baptist minister in February 1982. He had a special style of preaching 
that some folks remember him for. He liked to relate his sermons to people’s everyday life and 
deliver it in unusual ways they could remember. He pastored several churches in the surrounding 
areas and was a member of 5&6 Holden Freewill Baptist. He was always witnessing to everyone of 
God’s love, mercy and hope in him. He has left a mark on all the lives he has touched from knowing 
him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Delana Jude, brother Arville (Ricky) Browning Jr., 
and father in law Jesse Bumgarner along with several aunts and uncles.
Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 47 years Diana Browning (Bumgarner) of Holden, 
daughter Robyn (Michael) Adkins of Holden, son Ryan (Natalie) Browning of Danville, granddaughters 
Jessi Craddock Yuhas (Nate) of Whitman, Kaitlyn Craddock Vance (Will) of Holden, Emily and Ella 
Browning of Danville, mother-in-law JoAnn Bumgarner of Holden, siblings Brenda Browning of San 
Antonio TX, Wanda (Gary) Damron of Wilkinson WV, Debra (Garrett) Perry of Cow Creek, WV, Keith 
Browning of San Antonio TX and Carla (Greg) Ramey of Wilkinson WV along with a host of nieces and 
nephews, cousins and friends.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to nephew Jeffrey Jude for the loving care he 
showed his uncle.

5&6 Holden Freewill Baptist will host visitation on Wednesday April 5, 2023 from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. 
and services on Thursday April 6, 2023 at 2 p.m. with the Reverend Larry Light officiating. (Family 
may call 1 hour prior to both services.) Pallbearers will be nephews. Burial will immediately 
follow at Highland Memory gardens.

Akers-James Funeral Home in West Logan is in charge of arrangements.