Lu Ann Browning Redman

Lu Ann Browning Redman died at home on Monday, May 18, 2015. She was the beloved wife of 55 years of Vannis Wilbanks Redman of Denton and the loving mother of Vanessa Ann Redman of Dallas and her grand-doggies – Barbara Bush and Lilybet. She is preceded in death by her parents, Richmond C. and Ludie Mae Browning.

Born October 2, 1938, Lu Ann grew up in Gainesville, Texas. She cherished her childhood there and held her friends from this era so dear. Her summers were spent in Hunt, Texas at Camp Mystic where she was not only a camper, but also a counselor, teaching horseback riding. Upon graduation from Gainesville High School, she attended Christian College in Columbia, Missouri. She continued her studies at Southern Methodist University where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi. She transferred to Texas Christian University where she was selected as a TCU Beauty and graduated with a degree in religion. Her transfer to TCU allowed her to complete her education more quickly to marry her darling Aggie, Van. They were married on April 16th, 1960 at the First Baptist Church in Gainesville. They made their first home in Waco, Texas while Van served our country in the Air Force. They then moved to Gainesville and ultimately settled in Denton in 1963. She was active in St. Andrews Presbyterian Church where she loved singing in the choir and also served as a Sunday School teacher; the boy who climbed out on the roof one morning, drove her to “early retirement”. She was a charter member of the Denton Benefit League. For almost two decades, she tirelessly served the Texas Epsilon Chapter of Pi Beta Phi as the Alumnae Advisory Committee Chairman, and only retired when it was time for her own daughter to go through rush at Texas A&M. She was an avid Aggie football fan – enjoying many seasons in College Station with her family and Aggie family. From childhood she was passionate about baseball; introduced to her by her daddy who took her to the minor league games in Gainesville. Her father was the owner of Browning’s Jewelers on California Street and at his passing in 1971, her mother ran the business. In Texas’ record-breaking summer of 1980 with 100+ temperatures, Lu Ann joined her mother in running the store until it closed in 1984; it was truly the end of and era.

Lu Ann was known for her gracious and generous hospitality. She loved to have a party and was a superb cook. She was an avid needlepointer, which she liked to joke was a rival hobby to Van’s hunting. She had many artistic gifts, a beautiful singing voice and was a very talented pianist.

She was very loved by her family and friends and will be so missed.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 on Thursday, May 21st at Saint Andrew Presbyterian Church, 300 W Oak St, Denton, TX 76201.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Pi Beta Phi Foundation’s “Friendship Fund” (pibetaphifoundation.org or by calling 636-256–1357) or to the L. Ray Lawson, M.D., International Pediatric Spine Fellowship at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children (214-559-5000).