Barbara Proud

Monday, December 7, 2015

Barbara Proud, beloved wife of Francis R. Proud Sr., went home to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015. She was 77 years old. She was born in Philadelphia, Pa., on Sept. 1, 1938, to Jay and Katherine Bracken.

She and Francis married on Aug. 12, 1957. Francis Raymond Proud Jr. was born to them in 1964. Eric Jason Proud was born to them in 1966.

When their boys married and started to raise families, they moved to wherever the grandkids were. The first grandchild was Samantha Lee born to Francis Jr. and wife Yvette. The second and third grandchildren to Eric and his wife, Johnna, are Eric J. and Brenna Sue.

Eric, being still in the Air Force at the time getting stationed at Luke Air Force Base, near Phoenix, Ariz. in 1993, the time was right! Barb was in Tucson already in preparation for their move to Arizona. Fran had to stay at home to sell the house.

He sold their house in Philadelphia in mid-December 1993, hopped in the car and met Eric in Bates City, Mo., where they were visiting Johnna's parents before going on to Arizona. Fran met them there and they went together out to Arizona and re-united with Barb and their son Francis and his family. For the first time in 13 years, the whole family was together for Christmas.

During their 12 year stay in Tucson, they quickly added to their family. They met a lovely young couple who just had their second child. Mace and Kisha Bravin asked Barb and Fran to be grandparents for their two children. Not only did they accept their children into their family but Mace and Kisha, too.

And within a few more years, Mace and Kisha had two more! Now Yvette had two boys from a previous marriage of whom Barb and Fran had already adopted into their family. Their family had now grown to three sons, three daughters, nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

"All of them considered blessings from God." (Romans 8:15 and I Corinthians 3:6 and 7).

Barb was a blessing from God to all who knew her by her love for them -- especially me, her husband.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015, with a viewing from 9:30 until the 11 a.m. funeral. Services are under the direction of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel.