Margaret R. Brayne

Margaret Inez Ragla Brayne, 102, of Battle Creek passed away on Friday, September 16, 2016 at The Oaks. Mrs. Brayne was born in Ottumwa, Iowa on June 10, 1914, the eldest of the six children of Mary Inez (Cole) Ragla and Harley G. Ragla. Her family returned to Michigan when she was ten years of age. Margaret then began decades of faithful attendance at the First Methodist Church of Battle Creek, becoming a member in 1926.

After graduating from Battle Creek Central High School in 1932, Mrs. Brayne was employed by Hudson Motor Company and Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company. On May 10, 1936, Margaret married the late Willard A. Brayne. She was a life-long avid reader, loved growing flowers in her backyard garden and particularly enjoyed attending theater performances and concerts.

Mrs. Brayne served as president of the former Battle Creek Women's Club, and was for many years a very active member of the Battle Creek League of Women Voters. After her husband's death in 1976, Margaret attended Kellogg Community College, receiving a Certificate in English for Enrichment in 1981.

Surviving are a son, Thomas W. Brayne of Kalamazoo; a daughter, Patricia Brayne Ashby of Winchester, Virginia; a granddaughter, Catherine Margaret Ashby of Leesburg, Virginia and a brother-in-law, Edward L. Jenner of Delaware. Three generations of nephews and nieces also survive. Two sisters, Dorothy R. Jenner and Cora Elizabeth R. Tharp and three brothers, Raymond, Paul, and Carl Ragla preceded her in death.

The funeral service to celebrate her life will be 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, officiated by Rev. Marshall Murphy. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service, starting at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church or Southern Care Hospice. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.