Robert Bracken

Robert Joe Bracken, 83, quietly left this life on December 12th, 2020 at his home in Brandon, Mississippi. Robert was born October 10th, 1937 in Oakgrove, Louisiana to his parents Ebb and Jannie Bracken. He attended Bruce High School and upon graduation joined the Air Force, where he faithfully served for four years and played on the Air Force football team in Germany. He was the beloved husband of his high school sweetheart, Betty Ellard Bracken, who has been his equal partner in life since their marriage in 1957.

Robert was a founding member of Crossgates United Methodist Church in Brandon, Mississippi.

He spent his professional life working as an energetic and powerful union organizer for United Brotherhood of Carpenters. He loved his job and deeply believed that union organizing was the key to providing others with a better way of life. He also fought for racial equity within his work and faithfully lived out these values in his personal life.

He was quiet, kind, humble and a family man. His family will remember him for his deep sincerity for capturing every moment on video, playing board games with his grandkids, rattling the extra coins in his pocket or inviting you into an intellectual conversation. He loved country music, sports and his family. Known to his grandkids as channel-flipping Papaw, he will be profoundly missed and was loved by all.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Ebb and Jannie Bracken, his sister, Zelma Bracken Johnson and his daughter, Teresa Bracken Ballard. He leaves his wife of sixty-four years, Betty Ellard Bracken, son, Doug Bracken, seven grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

There will be a viewing for family and close friends between 9 and 10 a.m. at Ott and Lee in Brandon followed by a graveside service at 2:00pm at Pittsboro Cemetery in Pittsboro, Mississippi on Thursday, December 17, 2020. The family respectfully asks that you wear a mask and practice safe social distancing. In lieu of sending flowers, memorials may be made to Crossgates United Methodist Church at 23 Crossgates Drive, Brandon, Mississippi 39042.