Charlie Joe Braxton

Charlie Joe Braxton affectionately known as “Skippy Joe” was born on January 29, 1954, in Grenada, Mississippi. He was the oldest child born to Junior and Ruthie Mae Braxton. In his early years he, his brother Kenneth and his cousins, Bobby, Charles, & Evelyn, grew up like siblings cared for by grandmother Mary Smith and dear aunt Luvenia Goss while their mothers worked. He and his darling mother Ruthie were very close and he affectionally called her “Mother Todd.” and that is where he started his Christian education in the Church of God in Christ.

His adventurous spirit led him to Detroit, Michigan where he attended Finney High School and later entered the United States Army on June 8, 1974, where he served as a Lineman and telephone installer concluding his service as Honorable Discharge. Following his military service, he met and married Onawu and to that union, the couple gave birth to daughter Kalilah Braxton, and son Kenneth Tirik Braxton.

While working for Greyhound which led him all over the country, he settled in Portland, OR. Later when he started working at Wacker Siltronic, he met and married Denice Bailey in July 1989 and became Pops to Maisha W. Raiford. He was blessed with two granddaughters, Tamia Lanea Knight, and Keyana Monique Braxton; great-grandson, Amirr Knight; and recently “Papa” to Na’Mani Nicole Burks.

The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Charlie and you hardly saw him without a huge smile. He had an uncanny ability to find joy in his daily activities and his pleasant personality was contagious to everyone he met. He loved to talk about the news, sports, politics, and anything else. He could make anyone smile or laugh. You could often find Charlie hanging out with his extended brothers, family, and hosts of friends. He loved his church family and was devoted. They were so close to each other you couldn’t tell them they weren’t related. He loved to fish, hunt and anything outdoors. He developed a love and passion for the game of golf and played religiously, maybe even as much as he attended church.

Charlie was a very hard worker and mentored younger coworkers, as he was encouraging and empathetic. He received many awards and accommodations at his various jobs.

Preceding Charlie in death by his brother, Kenneth Earl Braxton; mother, Ruthie Mae Todd; father, Junior Braxton; stepfather, Nathaniel Todd; and grandmothers, Mary Smith, and Minnie Braxton.

Viewing before service from 10:00 to 10:45 

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