C Allen Braswell

The family of C. Allen “Chuck” Braswell is sad to announce his passing on October 22, 2025, at Kaiser Hospital, Fontana. A celebration of his life will be held on Nov 9 at 1:00 pm at the Redlands United Methodist Church, 1 E. Olive Ave., Redlands Ca. Followed by a reception at the church. This service will also be live streamed on the Redlands United Methodist Church’s YouTube channel. We welcome your attendance in person or online.

Chuck was born July 24,1936, in Bethany, Oklahoma to Audrey Lee (Al) and Verna Braswell. He was the fourth of six children. As a family, the Braswells moved around Texas, Tennessee, and Utah, and finally to Southern California. The family worked in farming and construction while offering revival style Nazarene services. Each of the family members offered their talents in diverse ways, from playing the accordion and singing to ushering and leading worship. Chuck was always an exemplary student. He skipped grades, graduated early from high school, and continued to Pasadena City College and Pasadena Nazarene College where, on tennis scholarships, he received a teaching credential.

Chuck married Dorothy Drake of Victorville in 1957 and promptly began teaching and driving to Needles to preach in the Nazarene church. He spent time as a young man teaching elementary school and high school, and in construction.

Chuck was a long term resident of Pomona Ca, where his career budded with the building of a convalescent home. He and his father, Audrey, built and opened Towne Avenue Convalescent, the first of many Skilled Nursing Facilities in and around Pomona and Yucaipa. More family members joined Braswell Enterprises, Inc., a company of caring individuals committed to providing the best quality of care.

Braswell Enterprises expanded into mental health care by opening Olive Vista Medical Center, and more mental health facilities followed. Here Chuck found his true calling being instrumental in growing California Alliance for the Mentally Ill (now National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, California). He was active in Sacramento and Washington DC as a lobbyist where he worked to build funding for community mental health.

As the company grew, he expanded into Claremont, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Pico Rivera. He later created an Employee Stock Ownership Plan which allowed him to share his company’s profits with his employees when he sold the business. He subsequently retired to Banning, Ca., where he lived on a ranch with a menagerie of animals who were dear to him.

Chuck’s hobbies included singing, public speaking, collecting antique automobiles, and volunteering with community organizations. He formed Open Door in Pomona, was instrumental in forming Tri City Mental Health, and was active in the Boys and Girls Club of Pomona. Active in Kiwanis both in Pomona and’s Banning, he served as a president and lieutenant governor. He also held leadership positions in Trinity

United Methodist Church, Pomona as well as at the Center for Spiritual Living in Claremont and Beaumont. Chuck was a school board member of the Pomona Unified School District. His emphasis on education is reflected in the number of young adults he helped to attain a college education and mentor into the business world.

Chuck is survived by his children, Lorita “Lori” Ott, Greg Braswell, and Lynnae Hernandez; his grandchildren, Amber Armentrout, Taylor Ott, Matthew Hernandez, Riley Hernandez, and Avery Hernadez; and two great grandchildren, Iris and Oliver Armentrout. He leaves behind two younger brothers, James Braswell and Art Braswell, as well as many nephews and nieces. He is remembered by two prior wives, Dorothy Goodman and Nadir Lins. We remember Chuck as optimistic, idealistic, a true humanitarian and a father figure to many.

Please join us in remembering Chuck at a Celebration of Life. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to National Alliance of the Mentally Ill, California at NAMICA.org