Robert Wayne "Bob" Bragg

Robert Wayne “Bob” Bragg, long time Puryear resident, faith filled family man, comedian, philosopher, and a world problem solver at the young of age 82 died Friday, November 8, 2019, at Baptist Hospital in Paducah, KY.

He proudly served his country for 22 years in the U.S. Coast Guard, retiring in 1978 at the rank of Master Chief.  Bob was stationed in Japan, Louisiana, Texas, Alaska, Mississippi, Kentucky, and Tennessee where retired. He then worked for 20 years at Tecumseh in Paris until his retirement in 1999.  Bob was a faithful member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Paris and a charter member of the Knights of Columbus 7086, where he was a Fourth Degree Knight in the Mother Teresa Assembly and former Grand Knight.  He first and foremost loved spending time with his family.  He enjoyed reading, being outdoors, woodworking, stamp collecting, and crossword puzzles.  He disliked the smell of carnations, asparagus, cucumbers, and black olives.  He loved breakfast every Thursday at Southside Café with “the boys” where world problems were solved and no asparagus was served.

Bob was born October 21, 1937, in Bay St. Louis, MS, to the late Marcell Gladstone  “Jack” Bragg and the late Elma Louise Spain Bragg Thierjung.  He loved his momma and had to become the man of the house very early with the untimely death of his father. Bob had three sisters and they remained one tight knit bunch.  He is survived by two of his sisters.  Jackie (John) Fowler of Apopka, FL, and Carol (Gordon) Sprouse of Vestavia, AL.  He was preceded in death by his oldest sister Bettie June “Naomi” Bragg Roberts; and two older brothers in infancy.

While stationed in Texas he met the love of his life and was married July 5, 1963, to Yolanda “Penny” Fuentes Bragg, who survives, of Puryear, TN.

Along with his wife, he is also survived by one son, Jack M. Bragg  (fiancé Vanessa Replogle) of Puryear, TN and one daughter, Samantha (Jim) Kersten of Bettendorf, IA;  two sisters, Jackie (John) Fowler of Apopka, FL, and Carol (Gordon) Sprouse of Vestavia, AL; four grandchildren, Jeremy Bragg of Buchanan, TN, Whitney Bragg (Brad) Gates of Buchanan, TN, Mackenzie Kersten of Bettendorf, IA, and Sophia Kersten of Bettendorf, IA; and four great grandchildren, Zander Gates, Zoey Gates, Maddisyn Gates and Jacksyn Gates all of Buchanan, TN; and nieces Sherrie Roberts of Georgia, Jennifer (Nick) Jackson of Tennessee and nephews Jeff (Yvonne) Williams of Florida and Joey Fowler of Florida; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

One of Bob’s proudest moments was the day his son Jack joined him as a Fourth Degree Knight.  His jokes, smile and hugs will be missed by many.

Arrangements are being handled by Ridgeway Funeral Home 201 Dunlap Street, Paris, TN.  Visitation will be Monday, November 18, 2019, from 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm at Ridgeway Funeral Home, with the Rosary to begin at 6:30 pm.  The funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, November 19, 2019, at 10:30 am at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 1210 East Wood Street, Paris, TN 38242, with Rev. Martin Orjianioke officiating.

Serving as pallbearers will be the members of the Knights of Columbus 7086.

Honorary Pallbearers:  Timothy Wynn, Anderson T Peterson and Donnie Waktins.

Cremation will follow the funeral mass.

His family would like to extend a special thank you to Debbie Wynn and the medical staff in Murray KY and Paducah KY.

The family would appreciate in lieu of flowers consideration of a memorial to the Holy Cross Catholic Church Evangelization for Medical Mission.