Henry Clay Brownlee, Sr., 89, of Columbus, MS passed away Saturday, April 29, 2017, at Vineyard Court Nursing Home, Columbus, MS.

Visitation will be   Tuesday, May 2, 2017, from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM at Mineral Springs Baptist Church, McShan, AL. A funeral service will follow in the 2:00 PM with Bro. David Blakney officiating.  Interment with Masonic Rites will be in Mineral Springs Cemetery, McShan, AL with Lowndes Funeral Home directing.

Mr. Brownlee was born April 20, 1928, to the late Elias Alexander "Buddy" and Bessie Myrtle Burgess Brownlee in Camden, MS.  He was a 1947 graduate of Liberty High School and moved to Columbus, MS in 1955 from Pickens County, AL.  Mr. Brownlee was a longtime member of Mineral Springs Baptist Church, McShan, AL.  He was a member and past Master of Masonic Lodge #5 in Columbus, MS, a member and past High Priest of Royal Arch Masons Chapter #4 of Columbus, M, Illustrious Master of Council #30 of Columbus, MS and Eminent Commander of Demolay Commandery #8 of Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the USA.  Mr. Brownlee retired in 1998 after being employed with Johnson Tombigbee Furniture for 50 years as a supervisor and consultant.  He enjoyed gardening, fishing and going camping.  In addition to his parents, Mr. Brownlee was preceded in death by his son – Henry Clay Brownlee, Jr, brother – Cephas Elias Brownlee; sisters – Bessie Marguerite Abrams and Ida Lou Fancher.

Mr. Brownlee is survived by his wife of 67  years –  Elsie McDaniel Brownlee, Columbus, MS; daughter – Gail (Robert Sieffert) Brownlee, Central, SC; son – Dan (Phyllis) Brownlee, Columbus, MS; daughter–in-law – Melinda Brownlee, Steens, MS; sisters – Annie Lindselle Featherston and Barbara Jean Strickland, grandchildren – Kristopher Clay Brownlee, Ashley Nichole (Chris) Hall and Magen Danielle (Christopher) Page; great-grandchild – Azriella Skye Hall.

Pallbearers will be Jordy Abrams, Travis Abrams, Justin Abrams, Billy Strickland, Earl Featherston, Bill McDaniel.  Honorary pallbearers will be Larry Abrams, Hershel Abrams, Austin Cork, Jimmy Stevenson, Aaron Schafer, Ken Shirley, Ernie Sorunus, Charles Fore, Dennis McDaniel, Tim McDaniel, Charlie Strawbridge, Willie James Johnson, Phillip McDaniel, Vance Lowery, Maurice's Senior Men's Sunday School Class at Mineral Springs and the Deacons of Mineral Springs Baptist Church.

Memorials may be made to Mineral Springs Cemetery Fund, c/o Gary Manning, 401 1st St. N., Reform, AL  35481.