Obituary

Gilbert Charles Braxton
(May 15, 1931 - February 20, 2013)

Gilbert C. Braxton, 81 departed this life on February 20, 2013 at the VA Medical Center in Huntington, WV after a long illness. He was born in Elk Creek, VA to Joe and Kate Braxton. He had two sisters and two brothers, Louise, Harley, Constance and Jessie. He leaves to mourn his wife Luemma of 57 years, Marcella (Lewis) Harvey, Burlington, OH, Gilbert (Donna) Braxton, Lexington, KY, Charletta (Brian) Ferrell, Huntington, WV, Christina (Clarence) Patterson, Richmond, VA, Monica (Javier) Melendez, Austin, TX, 11 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and a host of other family members. Gilbert served in the United States Army during the Korean War. After his marriage to Luemma, they moved to Huntington, WV where they raised their children. He retired after a number of years of working as an operating room technician at the Huntington Hospital. Gilbert was an active trustee member of the Antioch Baptist Church until the onset of his illness. Services will be held on Saturday, February 23 at the Antioch Baptist Church, 1757 10th Ave, Huntington, WV. Visitation will be prior to the funeral services from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church. The services will be officiated by Rev. Reginald Hill. God took the strength of a mountain, The majesty of a tree, The warmth of a summer sun, The calm of a quiet sea, The generous soul of nature, The comforting arm of night, The wisdom of the ages, The power of the eagle’s flight, The joy of a morning in spring, The faith of a mustard seed, The patience of eternity, The depth of a family need, Then God combined these qualities, When there was nothing more to add, He knew His masterpiece was complete, And so, He called it … “DAD!”