Benjamin E. "Benny" Bragg

Benjamin E. "Benny" Bragg, 87, of Page, WV departed this life on Saturday, August 2, 2008 at the Beckley VA Medical Center after a long illness and began his eternal life with Jesus in Heaven. Born in Shelby County, Alabama on January 30, 1921, he was the second of six sons to the late Irvin and Myrtle Stevens Bragg. He started working in various mines on Coal River at the age of 15 and with the exception of the time spent as a sergeant in the US Army during World War II, continued as a main line motorman until his retirement in 1983 from Central Appalachian Coal Company at Morris Creek in Montgomery, with 45 years service. He will be remembered as the fellow who walked from his home to Page Post Office everyday for more than 20 years to get his mail and witness for the Lord to his "buddies" at Woods Store. He devoted his life to the Lord many years ago and served Him faithfully until the end, "henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day." He attended Red Star Missionary Baptist Church when his health allowed and loved good singing and good preaching. He loved his family and sacrificed of himself to help them all. He was always willing to pray for anyone that needed it. In additional to his parents he was preceded in death by four brothers, James "JW", Robert "Bob", Ernest "Ernie" and Charles "Snookie" and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Orville and Daisy Gunnoe of Dry Creek, WV. He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Shirley Gunnoe Bragg; son, Mickey Bragg and wife, Kathy of Fayetteville; a daughter, Debra Popp and husband, David of Milton; seven grandchildren, Brandon and Benjamin of Fayetteville and Amanda, Michael, Aaron, Lindsey and Corey of Milton; one brother, Leonard Bragg and wife, Edna of Columbus, OH; special cousin, Betty Lou Bailey of Alabama; brothers-in-law, Kenneth Gunnoe and wife, Donna of Ohio, Arville "Jr." Gunnoe and wife, Joyce of Dry Creek and Bill Gunnoe and wife, Linda of Alabama and sisters-in-law, Betty Parish and husband, Charlie of Beckley and Jean Bradford and husband, Glen of Dry Creek. Funeral service will be at 1:00 PM Thursday, August 7, 2008 at the Red Star Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor Randy Sunderland officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens in Prosperity. Pallbearers will be Brandon Bragg, Michael Allen, Kenneth Gunnoe, Arville Gunnoe, Bill Gunnoe and Charlie Parish. Friends may gather with the family on Wednesday, August 6, 2008 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Tyree Funeral Home in Oak Hill. Special thanks to Carol Ashmore, who helped care for him during the last few months and to the nursing staff on third floor of the Beckley VA Medical Center for the special attention and care to make his last few days comfortable. The family truly appreciated it. Online condolences may be sent at www.tyreefuneralhome.com Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.