Robert Oliver Bragg, age 89, of New Market, AL, passed away at 11:20 p.m. on April 13, 2016. Mr. Bragg is preceded in death by his parents: Robert Oliver and Flossie Giles Bragg; son: Robert Oliver Bragg III; brothers: Leon and Paul Bragg; sisters: Dee Bragg Nash, Nancy Bragg Billingsley, Millie Frances Neely, and Pauline Bragg Campbell.
Mr. Bragg is survived by his wife of 69 years and 6 months: Betty Claire Robertson Bragg; daughters: Iva “Baby” Bragg East (Jim), Tina Bragg (Todd Fancher); sisters: Evelyn Bragg Jones and Sue Bragg Stevens; grandsons: Jimmy Brian East, Jason Roy East (Rachelle), James Robert “Jamie” East (Mandy), and Robert Stacy Bragg; granddaughter, April Louise East; great-grandchildren: Britney Bragg, Blake East, Kyle East, Julie Norman, Hayden East, Dakota Bragg, Claire East, and Parker East; great-great-twin grandsons are expected in May 2016; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mr. Bragg was born December 20, 1926. He was a former World War II veteran known as the Greatest Generation. Mr. Bragg joined the Army in 1945 and served in the South Pacific. He married Betty Claire Robertson at the age of 20. Betty was always the love of his life. He shared a devoted life with her on their farm in beautiful Hurricane Valley until he was hospitalized on March 18, 2016. Mr. Bragg was a prominant businessman and cattle farmer his entire life. He was known for owning Bobby Bragg Grocery which was located near his home in New Market, AL. He was also known for having a huge garden that ultimately fed anyone in the community who needed fresh vegetables.
Back in his younger days, Mr. Bragg hunted and fished year round. He was best known for his trained hunting bird dogs which were televised year after year. Mr. Bragg was also known for his first class bar-b-q ue events and his fish fries after his yearly deep sea fishing trip. The first few years, the bar-b-que event fed the mayor of Huntsville, then Mayor Joe Davis, the sheriff of Madison County then Sheriff Joe Patterson and Sheriff Joe Whisante, county deputies, firemen, doctors, lawyers, judges, and various elected officials.
As the years went on, the crowd brought in friends from all over the United States. Mr. Bragg loved his family. His wife Betty, children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren were the most important thing to him. Bobby will be missed driving the roads of Hurricane Valley. For the record, he was never late for work. His white Chevrolet pickup would be on the road every day at 7a.m.
The family would like to thank Dr. Kelly Lynn, Dr. Kelly Smith, all of the other doctors. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to Huntsville Primitive Baptist Church. Visitation will be Saturday, April 16th 9:30 -11:00 a.m. at Berryhill Funeral Home. Chapel service will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Larry Bishop officiating. Burial will be held at Bragg Cemetery.
