Marlene Bragg Davis

In our time of deep sorrow, we announce the passing of Marlene Bragg Davis, beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, great aunt and best friend. She passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Monday, October 14, 2024, at 8:52am in Los Angeles, California.

Marlene had been staying with her daughter, Anicia Bragg, while seeking medical treatment for the past 8.5 years with a team of cardiologist at Cedars Sinai Hospital. Marlene had an inoperable heart condition, which had been diagnosed 9 years prior. Dr Shahriar Safvati was her Family Medicine Physician and Dr. Payam Yashar was her Cardiologist at Cedars during those years. Dr. Safvati, Dr. Yashar and his medical RN Maricela greatly contributed to Marlene’s extended quality of life. Upon her passing, both Dr. Safvati and Dr. Yashar said that given her health issues, Marlene exceeded all textbook medical expectations of lifespan by a decade. Marlene had a strong will and desire to live until the very end. Marlene is now sitting at the right hand of Jesus, along with beloved family.

Marlene was also known as “Aunt Bobbie” by her loving family. The nickname originated from her father George McClure who had wanted a boy and wanted to name him Bobbie, an endearment that started from her father even after learning he had a baby girl. Marlene was affectionately known as “Aunt Bobbie” by her immediate family members thereafter.

Marlene was a devoted daughter to her mother, Vennie McClure, and cared for her years after her father suddenly passed away from lung cancer at a young age. She really wanted to leave home and join the Armed Forces in order to continue her education and travel the world. Instead, Marlene chose to stay home with her mother who was sick at the time. Marlene started working immediately after graduating from Dobyns-Bennett High School, where she received excellent grades and played the Clarinet in the band. Marlene was selfless, kind and compassionate until the end of her life, always putting others first.

She married Tom Lee Bragg from Kingsport, Tennessee and they celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary together with family and friends in 1988 before the passing of her beloved mother and husband, “Tommy”, sadly in the same year.

Marlene, a devoted mother and best friend to Anicia, embodied selfless love and dedication. She inspired Anicia to pursue her dreams and never lose faith, emphasizing the power of prayer and hard work. Marlene encouraged her daughter to be confident in her choices and follow her heart, creating a strong and supportive bond that would last a lifetime. They traveled and shared countless holidays together, making unforgettable memories, Marlene and Anicia’s last big trip together was to Hawaii for Christmas.

After retiring, Marlene focused her time between hobbies and her family. Marlene divided her time after retirement between her home in Tennessee and Anicia’s homes in Boca Raton, Florida, Paradise Valley, Arizona, Las Vegas, Nevada and eventually Los Angeles, California.

She really enjoyed the diversity of all the cities and the ongoing adventure she had with her daughter and her family. Marlene was very close and cherished by Anicia’s friends and business associates.

Marlene possessed great strength, compassion and an unwavering faith in God, which was a cornerstone of her entire life. Marlene taught Sunday School at West View Missionary Baptist Church where she played piano and organ for decades. She cared greatly about her family, friends, church, and the Kingsport community.

Marlene was modest, humble and a hard-working career woman. She thrived in work environments as an Administrative Professional. She had two full-time careers, both in the role of bookkeeper/accountant. The first one was at Mason Dixon Tank Lines for 33 years where she retired when the company shut down. Marlene went on to work for Kelly Girl Temp Services, then took a position at Eastman Kodak for a few years before going back to work as the bookkeeper/accountant at Holston Glass, where she worked for another 22 years. Marlene’s professional career spanned over 60 years. Marlene and Tom also owned and operated the Fairview Grocery Store in Kingsport, Tennessee for years until they sold it to the new owners.

Marlene loved reading books all her life, starting with going to the libraries in Kingsport and just days prior to her passing, she was checking out books at the library in Sherman Oaks, California. She enjoyed going out for lunches, shopping and visiting the beach for fresh air and sunshine. Marlene was an avid reader and was reading one book a day. She especially enjoyed days in her flower garden, sitting in her favorite bubble swing or the sofa curled up with her cats and dog reading a great book.

Marlene loved making scrapbooks for her family. She also loved knitting and putting 1,000-word puzzles together. She had a real sweet tooth and would constantly be sneaking and eating chocolate candy, especially Butterfingers. Marlene always kept her desk drawers full of snacks and everyone in the office knew to go see Marlene for their favorite snack. One of her favorite times was taking lunch breaks with her colleague and best friend Jane Wolfe. Marlene and Jane designated Wednesday as "Yogurt Day" when they worked at Holston Glass. They would take lunch at the same time, drive to TCBY and have lunch away from the office.

A native of Kingsport, Tennessee, Marlene was the daughter of the late George and Vennie McClure. Marlene leaves behind a legacy of love and strength in her family and is survived by her daughter, Anicia Bragg; devoted son-in-law, Rick Burton; granddaughter, Chelsea Rene Burton; her great grandson, Thatcher Lee Burton; stepdaughter, Sharon Whitehurst and her husband Michael Whitehurst; grandson, Randy Ortega.

Marlene is also survived by nephew, Kenneth Adkins and his wife Lee Adkins; niece, Jimmie Kimbler; great nieces, Tracy Lockhart, Jennifer Shell, Joanna Phillips, Jane Shanks, Chung He Fahlstrom; great nephews, Scotty Adkins, Jason Kimbler, Joshua Kimbler, Travis Copas, Donnie Copas Jr.

Marlene was also preceded in death by her first husband, Tom Lee Bragg; second husband Bill Davis; nieces Linda Willis, Shirley Copas; nephew Michael Adkins; cherished fur babies, Thelma, Louise, Lucky, and Benji.

During the past 15 months, Marlene’s greatest joy was Thatcher, her 15-month-old great grandson. He brought new life, joy and laughter into her world. She would hold him, while singing and playing with him for hours. She had happily just spent the entire month of August with Thatcher and her granddaughter, Chelsea.

Marlene had an amazing friend, companion, and caregiver in Laura Perez for the past 8.5 years. They loved each other and enjoyed hanging out together at the house, grocery store outings, sitting in the flower garden, reading and studying the bible together. Laura, thank you for loving Marlene and making her life happy, comfortable and safe.

Marlene served as the past President and Chaplain of the Pilot Club and was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star of Tennessee.

Marlene’s family will receive friends from 5:00pm to 7:00pm on Friday, November 1, 2024, at the Carter-Trent Funeral Home, 520 Watauga Street, Kingsport, Tennessee 37660, with funeral services to follow at 7:00pm with West View Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Mike Stout officiating. To attend services virtually please click HERE

Graveside services at 2:00pm, on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at Oak Hill Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Gary Shell, Michael Collins, Donald Phillips, Caleb Phillips, Tyler Phillips, Tracy Lockhart, and Jen Shell. Those wishing to attend are asked to meet at the cemetery by 1:50pm.

Carter-Trent Funeral Home in Kingsport, Tennessee is honored to be serving the Bragg family