JACK WILLIS BRAXTON

ALCOLU - Jack Willis Braxton, 71, husband of Vera Lois Cannon Driggers Braxton, died Saturday, March 5, 2011, at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.

Born Aug. 20, 1939, in Alcolu, he was a son of the late John Patrick and Lutisher Estelle Rogers Braxton. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War and a retired maintenance worker for Santee Print Works. He attended Horse Branch Free Will Baptist Church in Turbeville. He was affectionately known as the "lawn mower man" because of his love of repairing lawn mowers.

Survivors besides his wife of Alcolu include a son, Randall (Debra) Driggers of Turbeville; two daughters, Rhoda (John) Coleman of New Zion and Rachel (Terry) Floyd of Lester, Ala.; 13 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; three brothers, Bobby Randolph (Madeline) Braxton Sr. of Alcolu, Charles Ernest Braxton of Sumter and Larry Wayne (Paula) Braxton of Sumter; and a sister, Annette (Roe) Griffin of Sumter.

He was preceded in death by four brothers, John Alvin Braxton, Lawrence Edward Braxton, Lennie Braxton and Benny Braxton; and two sisters, Frances Maebell Floyd and Myrtle Eliza Porter.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, March 9, 2011, in the chapel of Stephens Funeral Home with the Rev. Tony Griffin officiating. Burial followed in Trinity United Methodist Church cemetery in Alcolu.

Jordan Wesley Coleman, John Marcus Coleman, Larry Braxton, Terry Lee Floyd Jr., Jason Lowder and Mitch Driggers served as pallbearers.

Jerry Willie Welch Jr. and Denny Davis were selected as honorary pallbearers.

The family received friends at the home of his brother, Bobby Braxton, 1988 Trinity Church Road, Alcolu.

Memorials may be made to Gideon's International, P.O. Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214.

Online memorial messages may be left for the family at www.stephensfuneralhome.org.

Stephens Funeral Home & Crematory, 304 N. Church St., Manning, is in charge of arrangements, (803) 435-2179.