A Celebration of Life for Mr. Travis Brackin, 72 of Danville will be noon, Saturday, March 7, 2015 at Oakville Christian Faith Center with Minister Carolyn B. Orr eulogizing and Pastor Melissa Glass officiating. Inhumation will follow in East Lawrence Memorial Gardens. The body will be placed in the church one hour prior to funeral with Reynolds Funeral Home directing. There will be no public viewing and in lieu of flowers please make contributions to the Alacare Hospice.
Travis Martin Brackin was born January 15, 1943 to the late Jim Pointer and Lizzie Ann McDaniel Brackins Whitson. He was preceded in death by his stepfather, Henry Jack Brackins. He departed this life on March 5, 2015 at his Lawrence County residence with his family at his side.
He loved and cherished Odessa Griffin Brackin, proving this adoration by marrying her on three separate occasions, with their first union celebrated in 1962. Their final pledge was taken on January 3, 2015. The couple remained devoted for more than 60 years, with many hardships and triumphs along the way. Odessa preceded him in death, departing this life on February 10, 2015.
To this marriage four children were born, two of which preceded him in death, Travis Martin Brackin Jr. (stillbirth) and Marilyn Jeanette Brackin (April 3, 1974 tornadoes). He is survived by his two daughters, Carolyn Brackin Orr (Frankey Joe) and Rhonda Evette Brackin (Corsell Byrd).
Travis dedicated himself to his two grandchildren, Martin Donte Walker and Alexus Brianne Massey. The arrival of his great-grandchildren, Martin Donte Walker Jr. and Mable Jacklynn Walker filled him with unspeakable joy.
Travis was one of eight children. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Henry Jack Brackins Jr., Freddy Lee Brackins and Leon Curtis Brackins.
He leaves to cherish his memory one brother, Billy Dale Brackins; three sisters, Geneva Pointer, Juanita Orr and Annie Lou Brown.
Travis took great pride in providing for his family. He gained employment with Riblett Products, Decatur Boxing Basket and Decatur Shipping Yard before landing a job with Brown and Root Construction. He excelled at his duties becoming a master welder, pipefitter and rigger.
His zeal for work led him to Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Louisiana, New Mexico, Georgia and many other construction locations. All of his travels, however, led him back to ‘sweet home Alabama.’
Travis’ health began to decline September 2014. After receiving a liver cancer diagnosis he began praying about his life and salvation. On December 3, 2014 he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior.
Immediately thereafter, in an effort to ‘clean up what he messed up,’ Travis began courting Odessa and vowed to get his wife back. The happy couple enjoyed five blissful weeks together before God called Odessa home.
He was a husband, father, uncle, friend and an ‘on-fire’ servant of God. In his dying hour Travis whispered, “Let me go, I’m going up to Bright Glory,” before transitioning from mortality into immortality.
We will miss him with our whole heart.
