Homegoing Celebration Services will go forth at the Ben Johnson Auditorium, 400 MLK Drive, Natchitoches, Saturday, Aug. 26 at 11 a.m. with interment following in the Rockford Baptist Church Cemetery on Old River Road. The remains will lie in state at the funeral home Saturday from 8-9:30 a.m. and again at the Ben Johnson Auditorium from 10 a.m. until service time.
Mrs. Alma C. Braxton was a gift from God July 20, 1923, in Natchitoches and she became a gift to God Aug. 19, 2017, surrounded by her loving family. Her parents were the late Mr. Van D. Caldwell and Mrs. Alma Payton Caldwell. This unforgettable lady was one of the first teachers at the Rockford Baptist Church in an era when rural church sanctuaries doubled as classrooms for the surrounding families. Her tenure as an educator extended itself to the Natchitoches Parish Public School System. This knowledgeable and very well spoken community icon completed her high school studies and went on to acquire college training as well.
As a result of her fireside training, Mrs. Braxton prayed for a spiritual change in her life, confessed a belief in Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior, was baptized and united with the Rockford Baptist Church on Old River Road. Being led by her personal convictions, she later became a member of the Rock Island Baptist Church of Natchitoches and was one of the founders of this congregation. As she approached the ultimate call of the Creator, God led her to reunite with the Rockford Baptist Church where she held membership at the time of her death. She never failed to give her utmost to God’s program on earth!
Love and marriage became an integral part of this young lady’s journey. She initially married the late Mr. Willie Guy Jr. and this union was blessed with two children, one of whom died in his infancy, and the other who survived—Edna Marie. In the ensuing years, she met and married the late Mr. Ferman Braxton Sr. and although their union was not blessed with natural children, she loved and cared for his sons, Craig Perot and the late Ferman Braxton Jr.
Preceding her in death were her stillborn son; her biological parents, Van D. Caldwell and Alma Payton Caldwell; her spiritual parents who reared her, Willie Cooks and Lela Lee Cooks; all of her sisters and brothers and her spiritual sister.
This lady of academic skill loved to express herself in the written word. She even left the makings for a book which the family hopes to have published as a tribute to her in the days to come.
Those who will forever cherish her dear memory are her daughter, Edna Marie Guy Helaire and her husband Charles Helaire; her stepson, Craig Perot, all of Natchitoches; one sister, Hazel Harrison of Houston; three granddaughters, Jacqueline Guy (Danny), Frances Bernstine (Jeffery) and Bridgette Duke, all of Natchitoches; one grandson, Natron Davis of Shreveport; the blessing of 25 great grandchildren; 47 great-great grandchildren; three God Children, Carrie Lee Mitchell, Thomas Latchie and Michael Jackson; a very close friend, Norveleat Lewis; along with a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. She was also blessed with a large number of extended family members who loved her very much!
