Willie Donovan

James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel On November 22, 2014, at 5:05 pm, Willie Genera King Braxton Donovan, 95, surrounded by her family, entered her eternal home where she rejoiced as she reunited with loved ones. Willie was a mother, wife, friend, and a spirited "lover of life". She enjoyed all things festive and fun, including bowling, dancing, laughing, and attending celebrations to commemorate every occasion. But even more important than loving life, Willie loved her family. Born April 16, 1919, to the late William and Cora King, she married the late Harvey Braxton in 1935, and was a resident of Jackson County, Florida. As a mother of 11, she seemed to always find a way for her children to survive and thrive even in the bleakest of circumstances. As a young widow, she moved the "Braxton Clan" to Mississippi where she worked several jobs to provide for her large family. Although times were tough she was a hard-working mother who raised her children with dignity, resilience and strength. These traits found their way into the character of each of her 11 children: William Braxton, Dorothy Braxton (Will) Raines, John Byron Braxton, Neal (Barbara Jean) Braxton, Ann Braxton (Jon) Knowlton, Jimmy Risdon (Dottie) Braxton, John Leman Braxton, Dwight (Kay) Braxton, Nancy Braxton (Johnnie) Webb, Michael (Tammy) Braxton, and Theresa Braxton. She also had the daughterly love of her extended family Phyllis Prejean. She later married the late Dennis Donovan and was a devoted daughter-in-law to the late Hilda Donovan. They returned to Florida, where she lived out the rest of her days in Cottondale. She has now been reunited with her children in heaven, Dorothy Braxton Raines, Byron Braxton, Dwight Braxton, and Theresa Braxton. Her children proudly carry on the legacy she has left behind and have passed it on to her 28 grandchildren, 53 great grandchildren, numerous great-great grandchildren and extended family of Phyllis Prejean and kids. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday November 25, 2014 at James & Sikes Maddox Chapel, 4278 W. Lafayette St. Marianna, Fl. 32446. Interment will follow in Cottondale Baptist Cemetery with James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel directing. The family will receive friends one hour prior to services at James & Sikes Maddox Chapel The Braxton family would also like to extend a special thanks to care taker and friend Fredericka Hill and to numerous family members for their loving care of Willie in her years of need. Also, Covenant Hospice for their caring support. Although she will be greatly missed, she will never be forgotten. With the twinkle in her eyes, love of all things festive, her colorful personality, determination, strength, and resilience has left her distinct mark on the world through the faces of more than one hundred unique human beings that share one common thread; Willie Genera King Braxton Donovan.