Obituary of John Braziel

WEST COLUMBIA: Mr. John Henry Braziel, age 88, of West Columbia, entered into the presence of his beloved Lord Jesus on Monday evening, May 28th, 2012. Mr. Braziel was born in Ridgeway, SC and was the son of the late James David and Ann Abel Braziel. He was born on April 13, 1924; at the age of eighteen, he was inducted into service in the United States Army, serving his much loved country as a World War II veteran. During his time in the military, he fought at the Battle of the Bulge, received the American Theater Campaign Medal, an EAMET Campaign Medal with five bronze service stars, a Victory Medal and a Good Conduct Medal. He served in the Artillery division with the 35th Infantry Division, 161st FA, in the European theatre; he received an honorable discharge from service in December 1945. Shortly after his return home to the US, he moved to Columbia, SC, where he worked for a number of years at Brazell's Dry Cleaners in North Columbia. During this time, he met and began dating the love of his life, Agnes Patterson, whom he married June 17, 1956. In 1965, he began working at the South Carolina State Hospital. In 1988, he received the "Outstanding Employee Award" from the Administration of the South Carolina Department of Mental Health. He retired from the State Hospital as head electrician in June of 1989. His most favorite pastimes included fishing, gardening and yard work; for many years, he maintained a garden on his property in Fairfield County. More recently, he maintained a garden in his backyard, which was his pride and joy. He was an avid Atlanta Braves fan and spent many hours watching "his Braves" play ball. He loved his Lord, his church, his family, especially his five grandchildren. He is survived by his loving wife of the home, Agnes P. Braziel; his daughter and son-in-law, Selma Anne and Jolley E. Watson, III; his son and daughter-in-law, James B. (Jimmy) and Teresa Lynn Braziel; his grandchildren, Rachel Lynn Watson, Jonathan Edward Watson, Ashton Nealy Braziel, Cameron Patterson Braziel and Alexandria Every Braziel; a dear niece, Alice, and nephews, Marion, Herbert and Bryan, and their families. He was predeceased by his sisters, Fannie, Mattie, Pearl; Emma Moore, brothers, Wesley, Jesse,Wylie and Wilbert M. Brazell, and an infant granddaughter, Laura Marie Watson. The visitation will be on May 31st, 2012, from 6 pm to 8 pm at the Thompson's Funeral Home on Augusta Hwy, Lexington, SC. The funeral will be on June 1st, 2012, at 1 pm, at Fellowship Baptist Church, with interment at Woodridge Memorial Park on Corley Mill Road. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Caring Hearts, Helping Hands Ministry Fund of the Fellowship Baptist Church, 4238 Augusta Road, Lexington, SC, 29072. Active pallbearers will be Roy W. Patterson, Jr., Lee Patterson, Lamar Brooks, Stan Suleski, Bob Jackson, and Charles McKenzie. Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons of the Fellowship Baptist Church, Mr. D.P. Ready, Mr. Luther Wooley, Mr. Herbert Brazell and Mr. Bryan Brazell. Officiating at the service will be Pastor Don Bell, and Rev. Marion Brazell. The family would like to express its sincere appreciation to the staff of the NHC Parklane Nursing Home for their kind and compassionate care of Mr. Braziel and his family during his last days.