Alma Smith Brawner, 98

Alma Smith Brawner, age 98, of Lafayette, passed away on Fri. July 17, 2009, at Knollwood Manor. Funeral services were conducted Sun., July 19, 2009 from the Maple Grove #2 Missionary Baptist Church with Elder Jeff Blackwell officiating.

Peggy Miller, Sue Fuqua, Angela Wyman, Larry Franklin, Judy Mondray, Kerry Hooberry, Brenda Orvin, Margaret Patterson, Keith Bradley, Todd Bradley, Jeff Bradley, Zachery Brawner, served as honorary pallbearers. Bobby Harris, Ricky Guinn, Timmy Dawes, Joshua Brawner, Eddie Bradley, Barry Harris, Byron Bradley, and Alex Dawes served as active pallbearers. Interment followed in the Maple Grove Cemetery. Alma Smith Brawner was born on Sept. 25, 1910 in Macon County, Tenn., to the late Samuel Calvin and Julie Myrtle Kemp Smith. She married James Earl Brawner in 1924, sharing forty-one wonderful years together and raising 7 daughters and a son. Besides her parents and husband; daughters, Lucy Franklin, Joy Hooberry, and Betty Guinn, Sons-in-law, J.R. Guinn, Doak Hooberry, and Tommy Morgan; sisters, Eunice Andrews, Betty Wilmore, Jennie Oliver, and Ocie Burton; brothers, Audie, Clifton, C. B., and William Smith, also preceded her in death. Ms Alma learned early in life that work had to be done. She quit school as a young girl to help take care of her family. She learned all of the qualities of a good house-wife.  She was ready to take on her own family, and after she married James she spent her days working around their home.  She was a devoted to her family and children, keeping a clean house and food on the table. She also helped James on the farm. In her later years, after her husband passed away, she began public work, managing the Laundromat in town for a number of years before retiring. In her spare time, she enjoyed cooking, sewing, and quilting. She had spent the last few years of her life as a resident at Knollwood Manor making many new friends. She was a devoted member of Maple Grove #2 Missionary Baptist Church where she attended church as long as she was able. She is lovingly survived by her daughters & sons-in-law, Ruby (Carlos) Harris, Billie (Hollis) Bradley, Becky (Mike) Johnson all of Lafayette, Tenn., Audrey (Ralph) Dawes of Smithville, Tenn., Son & Daughter-in-law, Mack (Dena) Brawner of Plainfield, IN, 20 Grandchildren (pallbearers & honorary pallbearers), 36 Great-Grandchildren, 5 Step-Great-Grandchildren, 39 Great-Great-Grandchildren, and 5 Step-Great-Great-Grandchildren and a host of extended family also survive.