Lurene Stephenson Braswell was born on May 4, 1929, in Birmingham, Alabama to Laura Kate Arendell Stephenson and Byron Herschel Stephenson. She grew up in Birmingham and was educated in Alabama schools. She and her husband, Donald G. Braswell, Sr., were avid University of Alabama fans.

She married Donald Gibson Braswell in Birmingham on June 21, 1952. They began their lives together in Atlanta, Georgia, then moved to Key West, Jacksonville, Tampa, and Winter Park, Florida.

She was very active in the schools her children attended as well as the churches they attended wherever she lived. She and her husband were active in the First Christian Church of Tampa, always looking for areas of need in the church. After moving back to Atlanta in 1979, she and her husband served as Deacons, Elders, and lastly as Elders Emeritus, a title given to those with a proven track record of leadership and faith as Elders in the congregation, at Peachtree Corners Christian Church.

There wasn't a hobby or sewing stitch she couldn't successfully accomplish. She loved tatting, knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, cross stitch, quilting, reading, oil painting and many other arts and crafts. She was active in her Atlanta church making prayer shawls for those in the church and local community.

After moving to Winter Park, she quickly made many close friends and became involved in many activities at The Mayflower of Winter Park. She joined the Mayflower Singers and enjoyed singing with the group for many years, painted the Mayflower ship to hang in the office area, was a floor captain to welcome new residents, joined sewing groups and art classes, and tirelessly entertained in her apartment that she loved so much. Decorating her apartment for Christmas was a weeks-long event and the result was always beautiful. She loved celebrating our Savior's birth. She also enjoyed the Orlando Opera and became friends with a few of the soloists.

She was deeply dedicated to her family and showed this in so many ways, constantly looking for what she could do for the family. She was always there to brighten the lives of her family and friends.

She went to her eternal home in Heaven in Jesus's arms at age 92 on December 28, 2021, and is now reunited with her husband of 59 years, Donald Gibson Braswell, Sr. She is also preceded in death by her parents, Laura Kate Stephenson and Byron Herschel Stephenson.

She is survived by her sister, Laura Stephenson Wells (husband Dr. Roy D. Wells), Birmingham, Ala.; nieces, Megan Wells Agopian and Julianna Wells; and preceded in death by her nephew, Kendrick Wells.

She is survived by her daughter, Linda Braswell Bailey, son-in-law, Michael K. Bailey, Winter Park; her granddaughter, Julia Anne Hendrickson (husband, Daniel Edward Hendrickson) and great grandchildren Blake and Bailey Hendrickson, Tampa; and her grandson, David Allen Bailey (wife Samantha Houghton Bailey), Orlando.

She is survived by her son, Donald Gibson Braswell, Jr. (wife Pamela Braswell), Pompano Beach, FL; her two grandsons, Christopher D. Braswell (wife Christina Braswell), great granddaughter, Illiana Braswell, Clyde, NC; and Gregory A. Braswell (wife Jessica Braswell), great granddaughter, Cameron Braswell, Deerfield Beach, FL.


A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00AM on Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at First Presbyterian Church, 106 East Church Street, Orlando.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made in memory of Lurene to either of these organizations:
The National Breast Cancer Foundation https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/
or The American Kidney Fund https://www.kidneyfund.org/

The family of Lurene Stephenson Braswell invites you to leave a message of condolence on the Tribute Wall created in her loving memory.