Agnes Annabelle (Buckley) Braswell Obituary (1925 - 2020)

Agnes Annabelle (Buckley) Braswell, went home to be with the Lord on May 24, 2020 while under hospice care in Mattoon, Illinois. She was born in Pana Illinois on February 28, 1925 to Frank Zack and Della Emma (Neice) Buckley. She married Bill J. Braswell on October 8, 1952 and he preceded her on October 5, 2017. Agnes had been a resident of Pana from birth to 2017 when she relocated to Mattoon, Illinois. She was a lifetime member of Pana First Church of the Nazarene where she served the church for over 60 years as secretary and treasurer as well as many other supportive roles. She was a former Executive Director for Christian County Housing Authority from which she retired in 1990 after 32 years of service. During her years with the housing authority, Agnes's accomplishments included the construction of several apartment complexes for the eldery within the county, including the Pana Towers, Pana, Hershey Towers, Taylorville, and several others. She also served as past director of IARA (Illinois Association of Redevelopment Authorities), member of the IARA Education Committee, West Central IL Council of Housing Officials, secretary for the Elderly Housing Corporation of Christian County, and a member of Christian County Social Service Council. Locally she was also a member of Pana Community Hospital Auxillary and the Pana Business & Professional Women's Club. These, along with countless other selfless services are what earned Agnes the 1978 title of Outstanding Business Woman of Pana. Of all the things she was involved with, her faith and family were always the most important. Surviving Agnes are her 3 sons, foster son Robert E. Buckley and his wife Barbara of Mattoon, Illinois, Guy Braswell and wife Karen of San Antonio, Texas and Don Braswell and his wife Cindy of Charleston Illinois. Grandchildren surviving are Kelly Buckley Scott, Cory Buckley, Jeanette Braswell Addkison, Ann Braswell Tiller, Michael W. Braswell, Heather Braswell Reed and Michael J. Braswell and fourteen Great grandchildren. She was also preceded by her siblings; Olive Marie Buckley, John Zack Buckley, William Frank Buckley, Loren Paul Buckley, Nellie Pauline (Buckley) Silknitter, Carl Walter Lee Buckley, Robert Larnce Buckley, Catherine Eileen (Buckley) Sims. A graveside service for Agnes will be held Wednesday, May 27, 2020, at 11:00 A.M. at Linwood Cemetery, Pana with Pastor Todd Holman officiating. Memorials in Agnes's honor may be made to Pana First Church of the Nazarene, 1200 E. 6th St., Pana, IL 62557 and will be accepted by McCracken-Dean Funeral Home who is assisting the family.