Effie Belle Braswell

Effie Belle Braswell Effie B. Braswell, long time resident of Redlands, passed peacefully at the age of 99 at Brasell s Hampton Manor in Yucaipa on April 7, 2013. She was born September 8, 1913 in Goldthwaite, TX, to Nancy and Oscar Sylvester Laird. Effie was preceded in death by her husband Arthur B. Braswell and her great granddaughter Amber Louise Braswell. She is survived by her two sisters, Aileen Sutton of Sherman, TX and Dorothy Wanzerski of Waxahatchi, TX; three children, Arthalene Karr of Hemet, CA, Leon Braswell (Carole Anne) of San Marcos, CA and Billie Giles of Del Rio, TX; 9 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, 15 great great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, in-laws and outlaws. Effie married Arthur B. Braswell, in October of 1933 in Goldthwaite, TX. After traveling to numerous states, they said California Here We Come, and settled in Compton where Effie worked at Bell Telephone until she and Arthur opened West Coast Cabinet Works in Paramount, CA. After selling their business, they relocated to the Redlands area where Effie and Art opened Braswell Motors, Art s Pontiac, Inland Auto Body and Art s Auto Sales. After selling these enterprises, they opened two car sales lots in San Bernardino and Mobile Home Sales lots with 5 locations in Lancaster, Rubidoux, Newhall, San Bernardino and Pomona. They purchased land and constructed their own Mobile Home Plant, Celebrity Homes, Inc. After selling they purchased land in Canyon Lake and built five homes. They sold four of the five and resided in the fifth one, on the lake. Effie and Art were instrumental in the opening of the first Braswell Convalescent Facility in Pomona and stayed actively involved until the sale of their stock. They purchased property in Hawaii, Fontana, Redlands, San Bernardino, Rialto and Canyon Lake. They also had rental properties and orange groves. With the passing of her husband, Effie returned to Redlands and purchased a home in The Redlands where she was active in the clubhouse activities. Effie was a charter member of the Order of Eastern Star. She volunteered at Redlands Community Hospital in the Gift Shop, Jeanne s Road Runners for 20 years and Joslyn Senior Center where she served coffee, snacks and helped with bingo. In her younger years she could be seen riding here Arial Square Four Motorcycle around town. She enjoyed her horses, however she didn t care for her plane and forced the sale of it. Later in her life she found that flying is fun . Effie enjoyed gardening, sewing, knitting, reading, playing bingo and going to the casino. She also enjoyed fishing, whether sitting on the dock or in her boats. She also liked cruises, bus tours and traveling; but most of all spending time with her family and friends. She will be missed by all. The Matriarch of the Braswell s will be laid to rest April 16, 2013 at 11:30 a.m. at Hillside Memorial Park, 1540 Alessandro Rd., Redlands, CA A chapter closes and another begins!