Shelia Ann Bragg

Shelia Ann Bragg passed peacefully on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, surrounded by her family and close friends. She was born on July 13, 1958, in Gum Springs, Arkansas to Daniel Clayborn Gillette and Lauretta Tate. Shelia lived a vibrant life marked by love, laughter, and an indomitable spirit.

A proud graduate of Arkadelphia High School, Class of 1976, Shelia advanced her career as a Seamstress at Levi Struass, then advancing to the role of Tech II at Scroll Technologies. She was a hard worker that rarely backed down from a new challenge. 

She was an independent woman while raising her two daughters, Brandy and Danielle as a single mother, but able to provide for them well beyond the necessities of life, exceeding the equivalent of a two-parent home. Her strong family bonds and joyful personality were the cornerstones of her life, and she loved nothing more than to be spoiled by her family. Shelia cherished her daily random calls to her girls, not wanting anything other than to say hi.

An avid softball player, Shelia's competitive nature shone through in her athletic pursuits. Her love of the game was matched only by her enthusiasm for life, bringing laughter to her teammates and friends.

Shelia’s energetic personality, her giving nature and her pursuit for the next best thing was a magnet for those who wanted her energy to rub off on them. She had long ago overcome her shyness and was widely known for her quick wit and charm.

In her leisure time, Shelia enjoyed frequent visits to Oaklawn, where she loved to share stories of her winning streaks with a sparkle in her eye. A lifelong member of St. Ruth Baptist Church, she served as an usher, ensuring that everyone felt welcome and at home when they entered the church doors.

Her tenacity was a defining trait, as she fought a relentlessly 20-year battle with cancer, inspiring all who knew her with her resilience and courage. She was preceded in death by her father, Daniel Clayborn Gillette; sisters, Rosetta Gillette and Melvyn Lois Gillette; her son-in-law, LaKavis Crow and her brother-in-law, Ezekiel Vaughn.

Shelia is survived by her cherished daughters, Brandy (Jerry) Harvell of Arkadelphia and Danielle (Jeremy) Roden of Arlington, TX; a bonus son, Damien Bragg of Arkadelphia, AR and a bonus daughter, Martha Hendrix of Arkadelphia, AR; her beloved mother, Lauretta Tate and her longtime friend and companion, Marcus “Bimba” Bragg, both of Gum Springs, AR; her beloved grandchildren, Courtlon, Cameron, Kyla, Justus, Jerry, Jr., Jerron, DeVonta and Anissa; her sisters, Vickie Vaughn of Plano, TX, Frenchi Gillette of Memphis, TN, Karen (Al) Smith of Sherwood, AR and Flora Stephens of Little Rock, AR, as well as, Freda Tate of Gum Springs, whom she loved as a sister; her brothers, Jackie (Patricia) Tate of Gum Springs, AR, Carl (Mammie) Cummings of Arkadelphia, AR, Mark (Alejandra) Gillette of Dallas, TX, Kevin (Laura) Gillette of El Paso, TX and Frederick L. (Bianca) Gillette of Glen Heights, TX; a special sister, Gertrude Gillette of Richardson, TX; her aunts, Dorothy Butler, Gurtha Lee Duncan, Carolyn Joyce Ivory, Elverna Tate, and Annie M. Tate, and uncles, Donald (Debra) Tate and Meldine (Brenda) Ivory.

She also leaves a caravan of nieces, nephews, numerous cousins, friends and the St. Ruth Baptist Church family.

In honor of Shelia's life and legacy, family and friends are invited to gather in celebration on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 1:00 PM at St. Ruth Baptist Church with Rev. Jamal Brown, officiant. The internment will be at St. Clair Cemetery in Burtsell, Arkansas. Visitation will be held from noon until 8:00 PM at Williams Funeral Home with the family receiving friends from 7:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Friday, January 31, 2025.