Frances Jeanette Brown Bracy was born on November 26, 1928 in Chicago, Illinois. Her parents were Earl and Frances Davenport Brown who migrated to Chicago .She was the second of six children. She graduated from Englewood High School in Chicago.
Frances met and married Harman Bracy and and moved to Lansing, Michigan in 1955. From that union they had two daughters, Pamela and Patricia. She worked for the J.W. Knapp Department Store and later for the State of Michigan. She started at the Department of Treasury as a key punch operator and later moved to the Department of Human Services.
Frances was a member of Collins Memorial A.M.E. Church in Lansing, Michigan which was located on the westside. When the new church was built on Holmes Road, it was renamed Trinity A.ME. She was active in several different groups, such as the Women’s Guild and The Lay Organization. She was known for her take-charge attitude and organizational skills, which included helping to serve greiving families through Trinity’s kitchen.
Frances and her daughters were resident of a townhouse co-operative called Coronado Gardens located on Waverly Road. She also organized different activities and trips for the children and members of the community. Her house was the hang-out for the neighborhood kids. They felt safe and loved there. Before getting ill, Frances would have Christmas dinner for the family at her house. She was famous for her mashed potatoes and gravy.
She was preceded in death by: her daughter, Pamela; her sisters, Earlette Wilbanks, Catherine Brown, Viriginia Killian; brother, Earl Brown, Jr.
Frances, with her loving daughter Patricia by her side, went to be with our Lord on Thursday, April 2, 2015, at 86 years old. She leaves to cherish her memory: her daughter, Patricia; sister, Julia Prestwood of Chicago, Illinois; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, including special friend, Rose Haynie.
The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude for the many deeds of kindness shown during their time of sorrow.
The service was held at Trinity A.M.E. located at 3500 West Holmes Road in Lansing, MI and presided over by Reverend Lila R. Martin. Reverend Kay Porter was the eulogist. She is interred at Deepdale Memorial Park in Lansing, Michigan.
This was printed in the May 3, 2015 – May 16, 2015 edition.
