James Herman Brownell

Funeral services for James Herman Brownell, age 83 of Columbia, Louisiana will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, July 1, 2023, from the sanctuary of Cross Roads Baptist Church, Grayson, LA with Bro. Shane Duke officiating. Interment will follow at Burroughs Garden of Memories under the direction of Riser and Son Funeral Home. The family will have visitation at the church on Friday, June 30, 2023, from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM and again Saturday from 10:00 AM until time of service at 2:00.

James Herman Brownell was born September 22, 1939, in Winnsboro, LA to the union of his parents, Lois Franklin Brownell and Georgie Mae Mock Brownell, and he passed away on June 27, 2023, at Citizen's Medical Center in Columbia, LA. Before his retirement, James worked for the Louisiana State Penitentiary as an 18-wheeler truck driver. He enjoyed the simple things in life. Being outdoors, hunting, and fishing were important to him but he loved riding horses. As he got older after he retired you might have seen him sitting down at Duke's Hardware greeting and visiting with folks as they came through the door. He loved his family and will be greatly missed by them. James was a member of Cross Roads Baptist Church. He had a dear friend Christal Medaries that interpreted for him for many years. James was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Barbara Sanchez Brownell; and his brother, Lacy Earl Brownell.

Those left to cherish his memory are his children: Sammy Brownell, Alison Brownell Martinez (Frank), and Jimmy Brownell (Leigh Ann); sister, Melva Brownell David; grandchildren: Leah Brownell, Kasey Brownell Strong (JT), Colt Ross, Justin Ross, Levi Martinez, and Samantha Brownell Duke; and ten great-grandchildren as well as a host of other family and friends.

Serving as pallbearers will be Colt Ross, Justin Ross, Levi Martinez, Johnny Martinez, Jamie Martinez, Jr., and Caleb Duke. Honorary pallbearers are Jamie Martinez, Sr., Trade Linton, and Chance Bailey.