Joyce Elaine (Jo) Bracken

Joyce “Jo” Elaine Bracken, 87, of Fort Smith, passed away Saturday, July 9, 2011. She was born March 10, 1924 in Enid, OK to the late Aubrey F. and Sarah Bray. She grew up in Poteau, OK and graduated from Poteau High School. She married John C. Bracken, Jr. in Wellington, KS on March 30, 1947. She was a member of Central Presbyterian Church, Sparks Auxiliary, Fort Smith Garden Club, Show and Slow Extension Club, life member of the Arkansas PTA, National PTA and Past President of the Arkansas PTA. She was the founder of F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Kidney Dialysis Support Group. She was preceded in death by her husband John C. Bracken, Jr., brothers Mertin H. Coss and Edward Frank Bray and sisters Isabelle Wagner and Virginia R. Favreau.

Funeral service will be at 11:00 AM Tuesday, July 12, 2011, at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel with burial at Fort Smith National Cemetery under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

She is survived by five children Larry Bracken and wife Ellen of Gulf Breeze, FL, Sarah L. Bracken, John C. Bracken III and wife Terry, Richard P. Bracken and wife Sherry and C. Scott Bracken all of Fort Smith, seven grandchildren and several great grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be her grandchildren.

The family will visit with friends Monday evening from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Central Presbyterian Church, 2901 Rogers Ave., Fort Smith, AR 72901.