Edward O'Neal Bragwell Sr.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Cosey and Opal Bragwell, his brothers, Granville and Terrell Bragwell, one son, Edward Bragwell, Jr, and one great-grandson, Owen Mauldin.

Ed is survived by his wife Patsy; brother Jimmy and his wife Alice, sister-in-law Jayne Feagan; four children, Vicki Russell and her husband Doug, daughter-in-law Vickie Bragwell, Martin Bragwell and his wife Jane, Carla Bragwell, Jonathan Bragwell and his wife Sarah; ten grandchildren, April Hester and her husband Seth, Stephen Russell and his wife Amy, Summer Mauldin and her husband Seth, Nathan Russell and his wife Erin, Rachel Bragwell, Meredith Byers and her husband Jared, Laura McDuffa and her husband Matt, Kathryn Bragwell, Ty Bragwell, and Terra Bragwell; thirteen great-grandchildren Caleb, Isaac, and Samuel Hester, Emma and Anna Russell, Leon, Rinoa, Celes, and Rosa Mauldin, Tucker, Darcy, Zykia, and Jeremiah Russell. Too many to name considered him family and the feeling was mutual.

Ed Bragwell was born in Franklin county into a family of sharecroppers and so he learned hard work and thrift from an early age. While his family regularly attended church, his grandmother Lawler was especially influential in cultivating a devotion to the Lord in Ed’s heart. He was baptized into Christ in his early teens and developed a desire to preach as he listened to faithful men proclaim the gospel. He studied early with Hershel Patton and after high school, attended Freed-Hardeman College where he met Patsy Martin. Three months later, they were married and spent the next sixty-five years of their lives together. He began work as an evangelist in 1956 at a congregation in Pontatoc, Mississippi. For the next 58 years Ed and Patsy labored with churches in Alabama, Tennessee, and Mississippi. He was highly regarded for his ability at clear communication in the pulpit and through the written word.

In the early 70s, Ed joined Hiram Hutto and Dick Ward on a call-in radio program called Bible Talk that was the highest rated talk show in Birmingham. Many came to know the Lord through those efforts. He set up a printing press in his basement and helped many to produce materials including some of the first work that Bob and Sandra Waldron published. Many gospel preachers began their work spending a summer or two, training under Ed’s tutelage from 1980-1991. But one of his greatest loves involved teaching young minds at the Rustic Youth Camp in Franklin County, Alabama. His love for them was evident and so was their love for him.

His wisdom, calm demeanor, warmth, wit and love for the truth will be missed.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:7–8)

The family will have a small graveside service this week but will also have a memorial service that all are welcome to attend. In order to provide room for everyone and distancing for those who so desire, we will host the memorial service on Saturday, October 3rd at the J. P. Cain Stadium 109 Karl Prince Drive SW, Hartselle, AL. The family will be available for visitation starting at 2 PM and the memorial service will begin at 5 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Rustic Youth Camp. Checks may be sent to Rustic Youth Camp c/o Lei Anne Hester at 1520 Highway 33, Russellville, AL 35653. You can also donate by Paypal at [email protected]