Nancy Jeanne Sharpsteen Browning was born in Wellington, KS on Feb, 8, 1941 to Loyd and Florence Reeves Sharpsteen. She passed away Monday June 13th at Sumner County Hospital District #1 in Caldwell, KS. Nancy was the youngest of six children.
After her father’s unexpected death when Nancy was just 10 months old, she was raised by her strong, independent, single mother. Little did she know she was going to become that same strong single mother.
Born and raised in Wellington, KS, she graduated with the WHS Class of 1959.
Nancy married Jim ‘Okie’ Browning on Oct.3, 1964 in Newkirk, Oklahoma. Jim adopted Nancy’s 5 year old daughter Jan, and 2 years later the couple welcomed daughter Deborah Jeanne. Jennifer Ann was born in 1972 and in 1982 they welcomed their surprise baby boy. Being the only boy of a family of girls, J.T. was always special. He was her “Sunshine Boy”. Jim retired and the family moved to Caldwell, KS in 1988. After just 8 months of living in Caldwell Jim passed away and Nancy found herself raising a 16 year old and a 5 year old on her own. Nancy was a strong, independent woman just like her mother and was truly the matriarch of her family.
Nancy was a faithful believer in Jesus Christ. Known for being a prayer warrior, her family and friends always knew to call her when prayers were needed. J.T. will greatly miss the morning Bible plan they shared.
Family was everything to Nancy and her grandchildren were the light of her life. When her oldest granddaughters Cara and Nicole were born they called her Gram. Grandson Chris Koch had trouble saying Gram (as the Sharpsteens would say his speech was a little Dutchy) and that’s how Nancy became known as Bam. If you ask anyone in Caldwell who Bam is, they know exactly who you are talking about.
Second to her love of family was definitely her love of sports, especially the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals. She was so excited that in recent years she saw them win a Superbowl and World Series! Equally as strong as her love for KC sports was her hate of country music, Will Ferrell and Bob Barker.
Nancy’s health began to decline and she was unable to stay in her home. J.T. and his wife Bethany welcome her into their home and became her caregivers. She spent the last five months of her life in Guthrie, OK, with J.T. and his family and was blessed to get to spend that time with them. Dylon, Beau and Theo became “Bamsitters” on occasion and were often found hanging out in “Bam’s House” watching her favorite British television shows.
Nancy is preceded in death by her parents Loyd and Florence Sharpsteen; husband Jim (Okie) Browning; sister Harriet Kirk; brothers Lloyd, Vernie (Uncle Louie), Dooley, and Jack; and sisters-in-law Billie Major, Betty Lowder, and Marge Jones. She is survived by her daughters Jan Cohee of Wellington, Debbie (Dwayne) Koch of Caldwell, Jennifer (Ryan) Sturm of Caldwell; and sons JT (Bethany) Browning of Guthrie and Jaques Williams of Wichita; Grandchildren Cara, Nicole, Matt, Chris, Jimmy, Steven, RyAnn, Emma, Jenna, Faina, Dylon, Marley, Beau, Theo, Lacy, Jaques, and Harmony; and 12 great-grandchildren. Bam was looking forward to welcoming her 13th great-grandchild. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Inurnment was held in a private family service on Thursday, June 16th at the Caldwell City Cemetery. Memorial services were held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 16, 2022 at the Caldwell Methodist Church with Pastor Jacob Maforo officiating.
Years ago, Nancy had asked Keeley Roop to sing at her funeral, which Keeley was honored to do so. Also providing music was her niece Kimberly Bowie, who was recently reunited with her birth family the Sharpsteens.
Pallbearers were Nancy’s nephews Ron Major, Pat James, Chris Sharpsteen, Jack Sharpsteen, Mike Sharpsteen, Mark Sharpsteen, Don Sharpsteen and Jason Sharpsteen. Honorary pallbearers were her grandsons Matt Cohee, Chris Koch, Jimmy Koch, Steven Koch, Dylon Browning, Beau Browning, Theo Browning and Jaques Williams Jr.
Memorials were established in Nancy’s name to the CHS Alumni Association and VFW Ladies Auxiliary and can be sent to the mortuary.
