Josephine Brazelton

Josephine Brazelton peacefully departed this life on July 23, 2013 at the wonderful age of 101.  She was born on June 18, 1912 to Nealy and Georgia Wherry in New Boston, Texas.  She married the handsome and debonair Curtis Brazelton in 1935.  Demonstrated by much love, laughter and faith, this marriage lasted sixty four years.

 Josephine was endowed with creativity and loved to cook.  Her handwork was demonstrated in her quilting, sewing and hat making.  She is known in the local community for her entrepreneurial spirit as she opened her own local laundry business.  She worked tirelessly, ironing shirts by hand, making the onlookers of many local ministers and businessmen wonder how their pressed shirts could look so crisp.  Her motto was “always help somebody.”  

 She was introduced to the life empowering gift of the Holy Spirit in a Christmas Revival in 1973 run by Evangelist Birdie S. Flake at Pentecostal Temple Church of God in Christ.  She was blessed beyond measure through the ministry of Bishop Fred L. Cunningham where she served for over thirty years.  In later years, she also served at Resurrection Life Ministries under Elder Joe Wilkins and presently her grandson, Elder Darryl Williams at Lily of the Valley Church. 

Her homegoing will not simply be a celebration and not only about the passage of another year, but an opportunity to pay tribute to a woman that wore the crown of splendor on the throne of her family. She was undeniably dedicated to her faith in God as she was unwavering in her kindness.  Her stories and lessons will live on through many generations.  She was a wife, a mother, a teacher, an inspiration, and now – a legacy.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Nealy and Georgia Wherry, her husband, Curtis Brazelton, her siblings Andrew and Willie Roy Wherry, Ardelia Jordan, Roberta Ellis and Ruth Wherry. She leaves to cherish her memory her two sons, Norris G. Brazelton of Kalamazoo, MI; Norman {Velma} Brazelton of Country Club Hills, IL; and her daughter, Evelyn Bettis of South Haven, MI; eight grandchildren, Joy {Mark} Normand Antelope, CA; Brian Brazelton, Brad {Patty} Brazelton, Lisa {James} Cooper, Kim Brazelton, Michelle {Darryl} Williams, William {Madelyne} Bettis all of South Haven, MI and Nina Cooper of Country Club Hills, IL;  nineteen great grand children and four great great grandchildren.  Special mention is given to her extended family of Edward Ellis, Annette Cunningham, Elder Joseph and Augusta Cunningham, Dorothy Sherrod and her sons Tony and Curtis, Melissa and Sherman Whetstone, Margie Solomon, Mary Evans and the entire Mahone Family and so many more.

The homegoing service will be held on Sunday, August 4, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. at Lily of the Valley Church, Covert, Michigan with Pastor Darryl Williams officiating.  The visitation hour is from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.  Burial will take place at Lakeview Cemetery. Kindly share your thoughts and memories on the family’s online guest book at www.FilbrandtFFH.com