of Little Rock, AR

August 31, 1936 - October 4, 2024

Ella Reed Blackmon Braden passed away peacefully on October 4, 2024 at the age of 88 and now is in heaven with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Ella was born to parents, Eddie and Ruby Blackmon on August 31, 1936 and was raised in Dewitt, Arkansas. Theirs was a Christian household; Ella was the middle of five children and there was always plenty going on at their house! She was active in church, school and community, and at one point was honored to serve as Governor of Girl's State in Arkansas. Ella went on to graduate from Ouachita Baptist University, where she was a cheerleader and active in many other campus activities. While at Ouachita, she met Jim Braden, a star on the basketball team, who became the love of her life and they were married soon after.

Shortly after graduating, Ella and Jim embarked upon their careers as educators. They moved to Missouri to build their new life together, where they served in various communities over a 30-year period. Ella used her God-given artistic and musical talents to teach both speech and drama for many years. Primarily focused on the junior high age group, she excelled as a teacher and particularly loved directing many school plays, happily devoting her time. They spent the last ten years of Jim's career back in Arkansas, serving the Dardanelle and Greene County Tech school systems, before retiring in Jonesboro.

As her two sons, Jim and Bill, were growing up and particularly once daughter, Rachel was born, Ella retired from working outside the home and devoted herself full-time to being a wonderful wife and mother. She was the epitome of a ''people person'', as she made friends easily and was universally loved by all. Whenever they moved to a new community, she was always quick to establish a new circle of friends, usually centered around her church family. She had a lifelong passion for the piano, was blessed with abundant natural talent and served as the church pianist wherever she lived from age 14 until well into her 70's. She also loved playing accompaniment for countless soloists and other singing groups. There was nothing she would rather be doing!

While family was very important to Ella, nothing was more important to her than her unshakable faith in Jesus Christ. She surrendered her life to the Lord at a young age and it is safe to say that her Christian walk became stronger with each passing year. She was truly content in all circumstances and she was really never worried, as she knew God is always in control. Her gracious spirit was grounded in her love for the Lord and the way she lived each day was an example to so many who no doubt became Christian believers because of her witness.

Ella was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 53 years, Jim; as well as her daughter, Rachel Braden Moix and daughter-in-law, Susan Randolph Braden. She is survived by her son, James Edward Braden and wife, Brooksie of Dallas, Texas; son, William Thomas Braden and wife, Amy of Midlothian, Virginia; son-in-law, Chris Moix and wife, Trista of Shawnee, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Ashley Braden Kimball (Brett), Katherine Braden Rambie (David), John Reed Randolph Bradenstone (Vyvian), James Brooks Braden (Laura), Jake Taylor Moix (Caitlin), Abbie Grace Moix, Mia Louise Moix and Noah Joseph Moix; great-grandchildren, Haley Renee Bell, David Foster ''Tres'' Rambie III, Jack Thomas Rambie, Molly Palmer Rambie, Riley Escamilla, Connor Escamilla, Lucas Escamilla, Ella Mae Moix and James Powell Braden. She also is survived by her sister-in-law, Kaye Blackmon of Little River, Arkansas; sister-in-law, Bonnie Blackmon of Little Rock, Arkansas and sister-in-law, Peggy Braden Smith of Dallas, Texas; special nieces, Dinah Dale and Esther Smith as well as many other extended family.

The family wishes to thank all the doctors, nurses and caregivers who lovingly cared for Ella in recent years and we are especially grateful for the wonderful care provided by her nurse, Stacey Henderson. We certainly are grateful for all her friends as well as the professional staff at Parkway Village. Ella lived there during the last twelve years of her life and she expressed many times how much she loved it there. It was truly home!

A memorial service celebrating Ella's life will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 11:00 o'clock at the Roller-Drummond Funeral Home, 10900 Interstate 30, Little Rock, Arkansas. Ella will be laid to rest alongside Jim in a private family burial.

In lieu of flowers, it was Ella's wish that any memorials be directed in her memory to the Ella Blackmon Braden Scholarship Fund at Ouachita Baptist University, 410 Ouachita Street, Arkadelphia, Arkansas 71998.

Well done, thou good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:21).

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