John R. Braley

Published 12:01 am Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Feb. 19, 1925 – Aug. 16. 2016

VIDALIA — Services for John R. “Bob” Braley, 91, of Vidalia, who died Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2016, at Merit Health Natchez surrounded by his loving family, will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Calvary Baptist Church in Vidalia with the Rev. Tommy Guthrie, the Rev. Ron Ledford and the Rev. John Bandy officiating.

Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery with full military honors from the Honor Guard of Veterans of Foreign War Post 5002, under the direction of Comer Funeral Home in Ferriday.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the church.

Mr. Braley was born Feb. 19, 1925, in Springhill, La., the son of Jesse Franklin and Gladys Dunn Braley.

Mr. Braley joined the U.S. Navy in 1943 at the age of 18. In 1944, on his birthday, he was in the invasion of Eniwetok Island located in the Marshall Islands. In July, he was sent to Saipan for that invasion. Immediately after that, he went on to the invasion of Tinian Island.

He helped to build the largest drone in the world at that time, where the B29 bombers flew the atomic bomb to Japan. The bomb was brought to Titian on the cruise USS Indianapolis from California. He remained in Titian until coming home after peace was declared. He was released at the Naval air station in New Orleans in December 1945. The cruiser Indianapolis was torpedoed by Japan and sunk approximately three days after peace was declared, Japan claiming not knowing peace had been declared. 1,100 officers and men were killed or severely injured.

Mr. Braley began working at International Paper Company in 1943 and served for 41 years as maintenance supervisor.

Mr. Braley was a charter member of Calvary Baptist Church. On March 24, 1957, Calvary Baptist Church met for the first time at his house. Twenty four people were present and Mr. Braley prayed the first opening prayer. A month later, the first revival was hosted and two months later the first baptismal service was performed. The Lord blessed Calvary and on May 17, 1957. Calvary Baptist Church was formed with Mr. and Mrs. John Braley as charter members.

Mr. Braley was very active in Dixie Youth Baseball most of his life. He loved to hunt and fish, and of course, he was a loyal Louisiana State University fan. He loved the Lord and his family with all his heart. He will surely be missed by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Mildred Irvin and Nobie Frye; and two brothers, Wilton and Carlton Braley.

Survivors include his loving and devoted wife of more than 70 years, Nellie Ruth Braley; four children, Monty G. Braley and wife, Becky, of Natchez, Angela Sue Scott and husband, Larry, and Tony Braley and wife, Alana, all of Vidalia, and Elizabeth “Bitsy” Raborn and husband, Earl, of Shreveport, La.; nine grandchildren, Monty Braley and wife, Beth, Todd Braley, Christopher Braley, Shana Bray and husband, Jason, John Braley and wife, Bobbi, Sarah Desonier and husband, James, Braley Raborn and wife, Keight, Logan Raborn, Nancy Vail and husband, Danny; 21 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be grandsons, Monty Moore Braley, Robert Todd Braley, Henry Bozeman, John Thomas Braley, Braley Austin Raborn and Logan Paul Raborn.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jamous Bray, Gabe Braley, Dylan Bail, Stone Braley, Dean Desonier, Noah Vail and Jordan Vail.

The family extends gratitude to caregivers, Dr. Dennis LaRavia and Caring Hearts Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the organ fund at Calvary Baptist Church.

Online condolences may be sent to comerfh.com.