Annadrue H. Brownback, age 89, of Killen, died Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011. The family will hold a private memorial service at a later date. Morrison Funeral Home, Tuscumbia, is assisting the family. Annadrue H. Brownback was born Jan. 13, 1922, in Tuscumbia, Ala., to Gregory and Howard H. Harris. She lived in Colbert County until she graduated from Deshler High School in 1938 and matriculated at the University of Alabama. She was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and awarded her Bachelor's Degree in 1942. She married Peter E. Brownback in August 1942. She is survived by her husband, three of their four children, 11 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Mrs. Brownback moved with her husband and family during World War II and afterward to various parts of the world. She established and maintained households in Washington, D.C.; Paris, France; Camp Perry, Virginia; Bangkok, Thailand; and Nha Trang, Vietnam. Throughout her life, Mrs. Brownback continued to work and continued in her educational progress. She was awarded the Master's Degree in American History from the University of Pennsylvania in 1949, and she earned her Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Alabama in 1968. She was a member of the faculty of the University of Alabama and Spellman College, taught high school in the Arlington County, Va., school system, served as an office manager for the U.S. Army Signal Corps, and discovered and enjoyed her true passion - taxes - in the 1970s, continuing in that field until the 1990s. No matter where she went or what she endured, she maintained an indefatigable sense of humor and enjoyment of life - even if at times she appeared to be a bit oblivious to what was going on around her. While living in Nha Trang, she disappeared during the worst mortar and rocket attack that the city had endured. Upon her return, her only comment was, "I should learn more about the culture. There was some sort of celebration today with massive fireworks and people running to and fro and all of the shops and the library were closed. If I had known about it ahead of time, I wouldn't have tried to go grocery shopping." Mrs. Brownback was admired by all who knew her and loved by those who knew her well. An online guest registry is available at morrisonfuneralhomes.com.

Published in Florence Times Daily on December 24, 2011