M'Lou Browning Giese

M'LOU BROWNING GIESE, 63, of Little Rock, Ark., passed away peacefully on July 18, 2014. M'Lou was born on Dec. 2, 1950 and grew up in Zachary, La. After graduation from LA Tech University in 1972 with a B.S. degree in Mathematics Education, she began her teaching career. That is when she started changing the lives of students, one algebra course at a time. Starting in LA, moving to Martin, Tenn., then Spring, Texas and ending in Little Rock, Ark. at McClellan High School and finally Parkview Arts/Science Magnet High School, M'Lou was known for her innovative approach to motivating and challenging her ninth grade Algebra I students through the use of games, technology and competition. As a result, her students consistently scored among the highest on the AR State Exams in Algebra I. She also was a Master teacher in the SMART and THRIVE summer and Saturday programs. M'Lou mentored the new Math Department teachers and served at the district level on numerous curriculum committees and presented at various workshops. One of her greatest joys was being the Number One Fan of the Parkview Patriots Girls basketball team. She was affectionately known as Ms. M'Lou and seldom missed a game. M'Lou's top priority was as a mother to Phillip and James. She was honored to serve as Band Mom, Football Mom, Scout Mom and their biggest supporter. Her friends and family will remember her as loving, caring and nurturing and an inspiration to all. Another important part of M'Lou's life was St. James United Methodist Church. She treasured her church family and the opportunities to serve. Stepping Stone Sunday School Class, UMW Executive Committee, Church Mice UMW Circle and the Chancel Choir (as a member of the rocking alto section!) were cherished by her. Evidence of her giving spirit was seen everywhere and everyday. M'Lou's interests covered a wide array of topics. She was at peace with a fishing pole in her hand on the banks of the Little Red River, especially during these last months. Her Suppertime venture grew from a few orders to sometimes over 30 in just a few weeks. Her friends looked forward to the email announcing "I'm cooking tonight." And as a member of an Online Spades card group, she will be missed at their nightly games. M'Lou's family will be forever grateful to her physicians, Dr. Joseph Beck, Dr. Kenneth Johnston and Dr. John Jones, for their extraordinary and compassionate care. Preceded in death by her parents, Pryor V. Browning and Martha Ann Pace Browning Hollis, she is survived by her two sons, Jon Phillip Giese and James Pryor Giese, both of Little Rock; her sister, Amy Browning Banks (Gerald) of Athens, Texas; her brother, Pryor Bates Browning (Jeanne) of Zachary, La.; and a host of family and friends. Services will be at 1 p.m., Saturday, July 26, 2014, at St. James United Methodist Church, officiated by Rev. Blake Bradford. If desired, memorials may be made to St. James UMC Music Department or St. James UMC Mission Fund, 321 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock, Ark. 72212. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., Little Rock, Ark. 72205. (501)224-2200. Ms. Giese's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.