Azillea "Tootsie" Browning St. John

Marjorie Azillea St John, age 97, of Redfield, Arkansas passed from this life into the arms of the Lord on Nov 9, 2026. At the time of her death Azillea was the oldest member of Orion Missionary Baptist Church near Redfield, in Grant County, where over the years she played the piano and worked with the youth program. She was born on March 29, 1929, at Lonsdale, Arkansas to the late Raymod Earl Browning and Kizzie Lee “Bea” Johnson Browning. Her Browning and Johnson families, childhood, and school friends knew her only as “Tootsie”

She was preceded in death by her husband J. C. St John Sr., her parents Raymond and Kizzie Browning, sisters Jacquelynn Spann (Wallace), Reta Jean Godfrey, and Neva Jane Duffy, brothers Raymond Neil Browning (Betty), Joe Dudley Browning, daughter-in-law Ruby St John, and brother-in-law Don Delling.

Azillea is survived by her four children, J. C. St John Jr., C. W. St John (Mable), Carolyn Diann Shuff (Charles), and Connie Sue Vines (Mike). She is also survived by her sister Peggy Jo Delling, and brothers Gary Browning Sr (Sherry) and Darrell Browning (Sheri). Also surviving are nine grandchildren, David St John (Shana), Kevin St John (Jillian), Alissa Barber (Jon), Lindsey Hoover (Weston), Joey Shuff (Dana), Sam Shuff (Stephanie), Audrey Bailey (Shannon), Josh Vines (Misty), and Allison Miller (Todd).

She has seventeen great-grandchildren surviving, Gavin Bailey (Destiny), Connor Bailey, Rule Miller, Rowdy Miller, Ryker Miller, Josey Monroe (Nathan), Julie Shuff, Richard Shuff, Eryn Shuff (Devin Patterson, fiancé), Skylar Shuff, Travis Barber, Kyan Barber, Tessa Barber, Savannah St John, John-Luke St John, Shelby New, and Ty New. Three great-great grandchildren also survive her, Joseph Monroe, Aida Gates, and Adan Gates. She leaves behind, to cherish her memory, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and her church community.

Tootsie attended elementary school in Rural Dale, Arkansas before the family ultimately moved to Mabelvale, AR, where Azillea graduated from Mabelvale High School in 1946. She briefly worked at the state capitol in Little Rock before marrying J.C. St John in 1946. They started a family and a small farm in Mabelvale. Their family grew to 4 children and they moved to a larger farm in Grant County in 1959, which is the current family home. Azillea worked alongside her husband and children on the farm. Together the family developed one of the most respected swine operations in the multi-state region. Mama as she was called her, did the book keeping, planning, scheduling and coordinating needed for the family to exhibit their prize-winning swine in a 5-state region surrounding Arkansas. It was not uncommon for her to drive trucks moving pigs from one state fair to another.

While serving as the Cane Creek 4-H Club leader she helped countless children win numerous awards and trips to national conferences and meetings in recognition of their projects. She was also a big supporter of the FFA program at Sheridan High School. In 1965 when the school board decided to discontinue the Vocational Agriculture and the FFA program at SHS she supported her sons and other students in a petition effort to save the program. She assisted students going door to door throughout the school district obtaining signatures of registered voters resulting in a decision by the school board to reinstate the program. In the 61 years since, thousands of students have experienced the benefits of being a part of the FFA program at Sheridan High School, a phenomenal testament to Mrs. St John and her ability to motivate and facilitate positive actions by young people.

Azillea will be remembered for her love of family and friends and for the profound impact she had on so many lives. The lives of those fortunate to have known her have been enriched beyond measure. We take comfort in knowing that her influence will forever be a part of our lives. Her children are deeply grateful for the sacrifices their mother made for them, enabling them to achieve and accomplish things consistent with her high standards of moral character and strong work ethic.

Visitation will be 9:00 -10:00 AM Saturday morning, Nov 14, at Orion Missionary Baptist Church, 3826 Stagecoach Rd., Redfield AR 72132.

Memorial Funeral Service following at 10:00AM at Orion. Officiating will be Azillea’s nephew Paul Spann, and Orion Pastor Jim Easley.

Internment 3:00 PM at Ada Valley Cemetery 747 Ada Valley Rd, Adona, AR 72001

Grandsons and great-grandsons will serve as pallbearers. They are: Gavin Bailey, Connor Bailey, Richard Shuff, Joey Shuff, Sam Shuff, David St John, Kevin St John and Josh Vines.

The family requests, in lieu of flowers, that memorials be made to either of two cemeteries:

Ada Valley Cemetery, 717 Ada Valley Rd, Adona, AR 72001, with check payable to Ada Valley Cemetery, or a check payable to Ten-Mile Cemetery and mailed to: Craig Elliot, 12210 Elliott Rd., Benton AR 72019