Joan Rae Braxton

SERVICES: Graveside services will be at 2:00 PM Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010, at Shamrock Cemetery in Shamrock with Rev. Lynn Hancock, pastor of Briarwood Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors.BIOGRAPHY: Mrs. Braxton was born Jan. 23, 1935 in Stamford, Texas and was raised in Fort Worth, where she graduated from high school. She received her bachelor's degree from Texas A & M University in Arlington, now known as the University of Texas at Arlington. She married Jim Braxton on Feb. 22, 1958 in Fort Worth. She had been a resident of Pampa since 1958 where she was the business manager for the Pampa News for 25 years. Joan also worked part-time for the Phil-Pet Credit Union and the Cabot and National Oilwell Employees Credit Union. She was a founding member of Phi Sigma Alpha Sorority. Joan worked on the political campaign for former U. S. Congressman Bob Price. She was a former member of Fellowship Baptist Church and attended Briarwood Church for many years. She was a loving mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother, and was affectionately known as "The Grandmother." The family would like to extend special thanks to Caprice Melhew and Donna Gordy, her caregivers, Denise Joiner of Interim Hospice, and many others for their loving care of their mother.SURVIVORS: daughter: Janna Bentley and husband Harold of Pampa; son: Jim Braxton and wife Ann of The Woodlands; 8 grandchildren: Jacob Braxton, Leina Braxton, Sterlin Rose-Braxton, Jeremy Braxton, Dakota Braxton, Heath Bentley and wife Angela, Jenifer Bentley-Miller and Hudson Bentley; 3 great grandchildren: Emmajin Braxton, Colton Rose, and Kaydence Miller; 2 nieces: Debbie Lanzarotti and Tiffany Crawford; and 2 nephews: Danny Crawford and Elliott Crawford. Joan was preceded in death by her parents and by her husband, Jim.MEMORIALS: Interim Hospice, 2217 Perryton Parkway, Pampa, TX 79065.