Joanna Jones-Bragg

Our Heavenly Father saw fit to call Joanna Jones Bragg from labor to reward on Tuesday, June 14, 2011, at her home in Sparkman, Arkansas. Her passing reminds us that life is uncertain, but death is sure. Joanna’s life journey began on December 5, 1929, in Clark County, Arkansas when she was born to the union of Cliff and Dora Reed Jones. During her tender years she joined Piney Grove AME Church and remained a member until her death. She served faithfully with the Zenobia Jones Missionary Society and on the Homecoming committee. She was a 1950 graduate of Peake High School where she excelled as a student and grew up to be an intelligent and very attractive young lady. She married Earnest Bragg and Lord entrusted them to raise and nurture nine children. “Baby Ray” as she was affectionately called was a part of that generation that counted motherhood as a virtue because mothers knew the difference between a house and home. So her golden accomplishment in life was to make a loving home that would produce a tapestry of memories her family would forever cherish. Baby Ray was known in the Sparkman Community as the “Doctoress”. She doctored on any and everybody. Her home remedies were a guaranteed cure for any common illness or ache. She specialized with herbs and kept a tight-lip about the concoctions she made. She was a collector of antique oil lamps, black angels and clocks. She found great joy in gardening, canning and making her famous pepper sauce. Those who often visited her home would see a sign that read “Don’t be aware of the dog, Be aware of the owner.” She possessed an infectious smile that would chase the chill from any room. She lived life to the fullest, and there was never a dull moment when she was around. To know Joanna was to love her. She had a quiet sense of humor and was known to “tell it like it is”. Joanna was a faithful employee of Henderson State University and retired after twenty-three years of dedicated service. She traveled her road of life and dealt with the stormy and sunny days along the way to the best of her ability with integrity and character. She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Eva Dismuke and four brothers, Booker T. Jones, Earl Jones, Leroy Jones, Clifford Jones; one daughter, Marilla Johnson (2002) and two sons, James “Buck” Bragg (2006) and an infant Julius Bragg (1974). Joanna leaves to her fondest memory in the hearts of her devoted and caring children: Cynthia (Donnie) Yarber of Arkadelphia, Marcus Bragg of Gum Springs, Dennis Bragg of Sparkman, Frederick (Jackie) Bragg of Sparkman, Audrey Bragg of Sparkman, and Joretha Bragg of Sparkman and one step son Scott (Calica)Thomas Bragg of Arkadelphia; two brothers, Charlie Jones of Arkadelphia and Herman (Mary Lue) Jones of Arkadelphia; eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; her mother-in-law, Annie Bragg of Sparkman, AR; two brothers-in-law, James (Peggy) Bragg of Sparkman, AR, and Charles (Ruth) Bragg of Arkadelphia, AR; two sisters-in-law, Billie Faye Brownlee of Moreno Valley, CA and Bobbie Jean Lambert of Little Rock, AR; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and numerous friends. Mrs. Bragg will lie in repose at the funeral home on Friday, June 24th from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. The family with receive friends and share with them the Images of Life DVD from 6-7 p.m. The last farewell and tributes to her life will be shared on Saturday, June 25th at 12:00 noon at Piney Grove AME Church where Rev. G. E. Guinn is the pastor. Rev. Willie General will deliver the message. The committal service and final resting place will be in Piney Grove Cemetery. Bearers of the casket will be Herman Jones, Jr., Leroy Jones, Jr., Timothy Jones, and Travis Jones, Johnny Jones, Roderick Jones, Daniel Dismuke, Rufus Jones and Ted Jones.