Dr. James Neil Braden

Dr. James Neil Braden peacefully left this earth to enter heaven with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Dec. 24, 2011, at the age of 73, in Jonesboro, Ark., after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. Jim was born to parents Alton and Lucille Braden on July 4, 1938, and was raised in Childress, Ark. Armed with the traditional values and strong work ethic instilled by his parents while growing up on the family farm, he attended the University of Arkansas and graduated from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Ark. where he was a two-year starter on the varsity basketball team. It was at Ouachita where he met Ella Blackmon, the prettiest cheerleader in school who would become the love of his life. He later earned Master's and Doctoral degrees in Education from the University of Missouri at Columbia. Jim's passion was the education of young children, and he enjoyed a distinguished 40-year career in public education, the first 30 years spent in Missouri and the last ten years in Arkansas. During the final 23 years of his career, he led, as Superintendent, school systems in St. James, Mo.; Waynesville, Mo.; Dardanelle, Ark.; and most recently, the Green County Tech school system in Paragould, Arkansas. He was a fervent believer that all children should have an equal chance to receive a quality education and have the opportunity to build a life that such education can afford, and he spent his entire adult life working tirelessly to that end. Certainly, there are many lives of former students which Jim impacted through his caring work. He held numerous leadership positions over the years in various educational organizations, including serving as member and later chair of the Missouri State High School Activities Association which governed all high school sports in the state. He also went to Washington at one point to testify before Congress, asking our legislators to make education the priority he knew it should be as they allocated resources. Indeed, he was passionate about education. Jim's hobbies and interests were many and varied. He was a passionate sports fan, and was an especially ardent follower of the St. Louis Cardinals, the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Missouri Tigers. He loved spending time in his workshop and around the yard, as well as planning trips to see the country with his bride and connect with old friends. However, of greatest importance to him were his faith and his family. Regardless of where they lived, Jim and Ella always have been devoted members of a local Baptist church. Through the years he served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher, and worked on numerous committees in various capacities. He served as chair of the Building Committee at the First Baptist Church of Paragould, and oversaw the construction of their new Multi-Ministry Center. At the time of his death, he was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Jonesboro. Jim was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Ella Reed Blackmon Braden, of Jonesboro, Arkansas; son James Edward Braden and wife Brooksie, of Dallas, Texas; son William Thomas Braden and wife Susan, of Richmond, Virginia; daughter Rachel Elizabeth Braden Moix and husband Chris, of Shawnee, Kansas; grandchildren Katherine Lee Braden, James Brooks Braden, Ashley Renee Braden Bell and husband Rossi, John Reed Braden, Jake Taylor Moix, Abbie Grace Moix, Mia Louise Moix and Noah Joseph Moix, and great-granddaughter Haley Renee Bell. He also is survived by his sister, Peggy Braden Smith, and husband Larry, of Waco, Texas. The family wishes to thank all the doctors, nurses and caregivers who lovingly helped Jim during his illness. We are especially grateful for the skill of Dr. Ben Owens, Jr. at St. Bernard's Medical Center and Dr. Warren Lichliter and Dr. Michael Grant at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, and the compassion each showed to our family. The family will receive friends on Monday, Dec. 26, 2011, from 5-7 o'clock at the Emerson Funeral Home, 1629 East Nettleton Avenue, Jonesboro, Ark. A memorial service celebrating Jim's life will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011 at 11 o'clock at the First Baptist Church in Jonesboro, Ark, the Reverend Bruce Tippit officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be Jim's three grandsons, as well as Jerry Barnes, Jim Miles, Bob Hout, Harrell Stark and Norman Myers. Family burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, it was Jim's wish that any memorials be directed to the Care Center at the First Baptist Church, 701 South Main Street, Jonesboro, Ark. 72401, or to the Multi-Ministry Center at the First Baptist Church, 120 North Third Street, Paragould, Ark. 72450. www.emersonfuneralhome.com.