Raymond W. Braman

Raymond W. Braman, 82, of Sulphur Springs, Texas, formerly of Rector, died Monday, Aug. 11, 2003, at Hopkins County Memorial Hospital in Sulphur Springs.

He was born May 18, 1921, in Clay County, the son of the late Ernest and Pearl Kitchen Braman.

He married Christine Poppe on July 6, 1942.

He was a World War II Army staff sergeant and had worked as a Pepsi Cola vending service manager. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Sulphur Springs.

At age 12, he left school to be the provider for his mother and her seven children after his father was killed by lightning. Thirty years later, he finished high school and junior college, but his greatest accomplishment was being a Christian husband, father and grandfather.

He was preceded in death by one brother, Leroy Braman, and four sisters, Wilma Jean Coombs, Syble Grooms, Dora Lee Abbott and Euldean Braman.

He is survived by his wife, Christine; one son and daughter-in-law, Barry and Paula Braman of Hurst, Texas; one grandson and his wife, Shelby and Becky Braman of Kilgore, Texas; a granddaughter, Heather Braman, a student at College Station, Texas; and two sisters, Cora De Bore of Modesto, Calif., and Ernestine Braman.

Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13, in Woodland Heights Cemetery with Bro. Charles Carrens officiating.

Pallbearers were Bobby Shanklin, Dr. Larry Winberry, Michael Mack, Buddy Dills, Tommy Hardcastle, Larry Ross Norred, Kirby Johnson and Junior Gardner.