John R "Bob" Braley

February 19, 1925 - August 16, 2016

Funeral services for John R. "Bob" Braley 91, of Vidalia, LA. will be 10am Thursday August 18, 2016 at Calvary Baptist Church with Rev. Tommy Guthrie, Rev. Ron Ledford and Rev. John Bandy officiating. Interment will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery with full military honors from The Honor Guard of VFW Post 5002 under the direction of Comer Funeral Home Ferriday, LA. Mr. Braley was born February 19, 1925 in Springhill, LA. to the union of Jesse Franklin and Gladys Dunn Braley and passed from this life August 16, 2016 at Merit Hospital in Natchez, MS. surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Braley was a veteran of the United States Navy in 1943 at eighteen years of age. In 1944 on his birthday, he was in the invasion of Eniwetok Island located in the Marshall Islands. In July he was sent to Saipan for that invasion. Immediately after that to the Tinian Island for that invasion. He helped build the largest drone in the world at that time where the B29 bombers flew the atomic bomb to Japan. The bomb was brought to Titian on cruises USS Indianapolis from California to Titian. He remained in Titian until coming home after peace was declared. He was released at the Naval air station in New Orleans in December, 1945. The cruiser Indianapolis was torpedoed by Japan and sunk approximately three days after peace was declared, Japan claiming not knowing peace had been declared. Eleven hundred officers and men were killed or severely injured. Mr. Braley joined Internation Paper co. in 1943 as a Maintenance supervisor. He worked there for over 41 years. He and his wife were charter members of Calvary Baptist Church . On March 24, 1957, Calvary Baptist Church met for the first time at Mr. John Braley's house, twenty four people were present and Mr. John R. Braley prayed the first opening prayer. A month later the first revival was held and two months later the first baptismal service was held. The Lord blessed Calvary and on May 17, 1957 Calvary Baptist Church was formed with Mr. and Mrs. John Braley as charter members. Mr. Braley was very active in Dixie Youth Baseball most of his life. He loved to hunt and fish and of course he was a loyal LSU fan. He loved the Lord and his family with all of his heart. He will surely be missed by all that knew him. Mr. Braley was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Mildred Irvin and Nobie Frye; brothers Wilton and Carlton Braley. Survivors include his loving and devoted wife of over seventy years Nellie Ruth Braley, children Monty G. Braley and wife Becky of Natchez, MS. , Angela Sue Scott and husband Larry of Vidalia, LA., Tony J. Braley and wife Alana of Vidalia, LA. and Elizabeth (Bitsy) Raborn and husband Earl of Shreveport, LA.; grandchildren Monty Braley and wife Beth, Todd Braley, Christopher Braley, Shana Bray and husband Jason, John Braley and wife Bobbi, Sarah Desonier and husband James, Braley Raborn and wife Keight, Logan Raborn, Nancy Vail and husband Danny; twenty one great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchilldren. Pallbearers are the grandsons Monty Moore Braley, Robert Todd Braley, Henry Bozeman John Thomas Braley, Braley Autin Raborn and Logan Paul Raborn. Honorary pallbearers will be Jamous Bray, Gabe Braley, Dylan Vail, Stone Braley , Dean Desonier, Noah Vail and Jordan Vail. Friends may call for visitation after 6pm till 8pm Wednesday August 17, 2016 at Calvary Baptist Church in Vidalia, LA . The family would like to extend their gratitude for their caregivers Dr. Dennis LaRavia and Caring Heart Hospice. In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to the organ fund at Calvary Baptist Church. Online guestbook at www.comerfh.com