Barbara A. Braley Obituary (1935

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Barbara A. Braley, a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, who left us peacefully on June 17, 2024, at St Clara’s Senior Care Center in Lincoln, IL. Barbara was born on January 18, 1935, in Jamestown, NY, to Gladys Wiquist Anderson and Elmer Anderson. She grew up in Falconer, NY. Her parents owned and operated Anderson’s Restaurant, and she and her siblings worked in the family business from an early age. At the age of 16, she started her college career at Syracuse University. After college, starting her family, and getting her master’s degree at Edinboro State; she began a long educational career working for the Jamestown Public School System where she taught Junior High Home Economics, Food Service in the BOCES Vocational Center, and was a Guidance Counselor in both Junior High and High School. She then moved to Charlotte, NC, where she continued her career at Charlotte Mecklenburg School System as a Drug Educator and Guidance Counselor at several local schools. After retirement, she shifted her focus to volunteering for numerous causes and organizations she was passionate about including local animal shelters, Red Cross disaster relief, ushering at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, acting as a counselor in Jacob’s Ladder (a job service organization for hard to place individuals), and volunteering as an aide to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Dept., culminating in her work on the COP (Citizens on Patrol) program. She is survived by her sister, Marcia Anderson; daughters, Linda Braley Keefe (Mike) and Carolyn Braley Reifsteck (Doug); grandchildren, Lucia Keefe, Braley Keefe, Rachel Reifsteck, and Kayleigh Reifsteck; niece, Britta Janney; her cousins Jim Anderson, John Anderson (Terri) and Jean Anderson Lawrence (Tony) and a community of friends who were blessed to know her. Barbara was predeceased by her parents; daughter, JoAnne Braley; brother, Tom Anderson; and brother-in-law, Bill Seamans; as well as her beloved cat, Misty. Barbara was an avid reader. During her life, she enjoyed traveling, music, art, and theater. Many of her jobs and volunteer positions were built upon these joys. Barbara loved animals and spent many hours volunteering at the animal shelter. She was deeply devoted to her daughters and grandchildren, who were the heart of her life. Her family will remember her for her great sense of humor, quick wit, and zest for life. Her family finds solace in her strong faith, knowing that she is in a better place and that they will meet again. Special thanks to the care that she received during her time spent at St. Clara’s Rehabilitation and Senior Care Center. No services are planned at this time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a library or Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, causes close to Barbara’s heart. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home in Lincoln.