Thelma Braggs

Mrs. Thelma Braggs was born in Savannah, Georgia in 1936, the oldest child of Dorothy and Leroy Brown, Sr.  In 1959 she left Savannah for New Jersey with her three small children, a footlocker, and $75 to join family members in Spring Lake Heights for a few months, eventually settling in Neptune.

Shortly after arriving in New Jersey, she joined Good Hope Baptist Church where she was a dedicated member for more than 65 years. Thelma was the Church Clerk for more than 25 years as well as being involved in many auxiliaries including, leading the Missionaries and Junior Missionaries, the Flower Club, and the Pastor’s Aid.  Thelma made a point to always offer words of encouragement and a listening ear to those in need.

Her missionary work was carried out throughout the community and her church through emotional and financial assistance.  Over the years, Thelma prepared and delivered Christmas baskets to the patients at the State Psychiatric Hospital in Marlboro, NJ.  She contributed annually to the A-Team, an AIDS program affiliated with Jersey Shore Medical Center.  She opened her home for weekly bible study and New Year’s Eve services while Good Hope was under construction.  For MANY years she hosted an annual Christmas party, opening her home to recognize the good works of community members including ministers, deacons, teachers, school administrators, and others.

Thelma held a variety of positions during her life and is most affectionately known as the “Stanley Lady” because of her 40+ year career as a representative for Stanley Home Products. She worked her way through the ranks of Stanley Home Products, eventually becoming a Regional Manager responsible for New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Staten Island New York, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, and West Virginia.  While working for Stanley, Thelma also held the position of Security Officer until she retired from the Neptune Township Board of Education.

Thelma departed this life at Jersey Shore Medical Center on August 22, 2024.  She is predeceased by her parents, Dorothy and Leroy Brown, Sr., brother, Leroy Brown, Jr. and his wife Roseanne Brown, sons, Bobby and Donald Lyles, husbands, James Lyles and Willie James Braggs, long-time companion, Paul Brown, and sons in law, Frank Edwards and Richard Tyler.

Thelma is survived by her children, Donella Edwards, Barbara Tyler, and Carl Braggs; grandchildren, Felicia Edwards, Shawnequa Kirkpatrick, Tiffany Martin (Roderick Martin), Carl Braggs, Jr., and Darnell Braggs; great-grandchildren, Drifton Braggs, Bryce Braggs-Smith, Dreysen Braggs, Railynn Braggs; along with a host of family and friends.

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