Dorothy Bragg

Dorothy Jean Marks-Nichols-Bragg, the beloved daughter of the late Pearlie M. Owens and the late Daniel (Dan) Marks was born in Pickens, AR on June 16, 1943.

Dorothy grew up in a beautiful farm community, Pickens, AR, where all adults loved and cared for one another. They were your other parents and had permission to discipline you as such. Jean (known by her middle name), her sisters: Helene Marks-George and Deborah R. Adams, brother, Ronnie Ray Adams (deceased) and cousins: Leola Packard-Lambert, Edna M. Owens-Huskey, Nathaniel Owens, Andrew Barber and Carrie B. Owens (all deceased) had many memorable, awesome, and adventurous times. To appreciate Dorothy's experiences, one must love nature and the outdoors. As a young child, Dorothy walked in her grandfather's footsteps trying to do all the outdoor things he did. By the age of eight, Dorothy was a sharpshooter with the rifle, knew how to hunt, and went on hunting trips with the family, and fishing on her own. Dorothy learned how to garden, graft and prune trees, help build bridges and duck ponds, set rabbit traps, saw wood, cook, can food, and sew. Later in life, Dorothy learned to repair small electric appliances. She also learned how to ride a horse.

Dorothy was a born-again Christian, accepting Jesus Christ into her life at age 12 in August 1955, at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, Pickens, AR under the pastorage of late Reverend Morgan Johnson. Dorothy was baptized in a joint baptism at Rhower, AR in a clear running stream. Her first responsibility after accepting Jesus as her Lord and Savior was to become the president of the Youth Department which she held until graduation from high school where was an honor student.

As a student, Dorothy participated in Omega Elementary's Spelling Bee which she won every year and the Desha County Spelling Bee winning 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place separately for 8 years. Dorothy was a member of the 4-H Club, Home Makers Club of Desha County, AR, Future Farmers of America and Future Teachers of America. She was 1st runner-up in the Miss Future Teachers of America at A.L Reed High School, Dumas, AR in 1960, ran track, played girls' basketball, and belonged the Drama Club. Dorothy's graduating class of 1961 was the first class in Dumas to participate in a sit-in protesting discrimination in the school system. She was an activist in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (1959-1966) and collaborated with the Young Democrats distributing and explaining literature on voting.

Dorothy united in holy matrimony to the late Raymond A. Nichols, Sr., on December 25, 1960, at the home of her mother in Pickens, AR. Dorothy and Raymond were blessed with 6 children of which four children survive. Raymond passed September 16, 1977. Dorothy met the late Elijah Bragg in summer of 1979. They began dating in the fall of 1979 and were married on December 4, 1980. They were blessed with 2 children, one survives. When Dorothy married Elijah, she gained another daughter, Kimberly P. Bragg Madkins now deceased. Elijah passed October 7, 2012.

Dorothy loved the Lord and was determined to do God's will as the Holy Spirit led her. Dorothy Bragg loved working with children. Over the years, she loved and encouraged many. Dorothy became surrogate mother to many. In her labor for the Lord, Dorothy served in many capacities. In the local church: Financial Secretary 1978-1998, VBS Director 1979 to 1981, Board of Christian Education, Youth Director 1981 to 1987, Ministers and Missionary Chairperson (ABC). She helped reorganize and worked in the Nursery, was a former Young Matron and a member of the Souls Aglow, was secretary of the Study Mission Circle, 1st Vice President and Acting President twice for Beacon Light Union Missionary Department, School of Mission Instructor and Adult and Sunbeam Workshop Presenter for the Beacon Light Union Missionary Department, member of the Young Adult and Women's Sunday School classes, Assistant Church School Teacher to the Jr. High class and Teacher of the V.B.S. Kindergarten class for many years, served on a Pulpit Search Committee, served as Co-Chairman and Chairman of the History Committee, the UPLIFTER Staff and retired in 2017 from SMBC as Church/Pastor Secretary.

In the District: Smoky Hill District Association's District Youth Director (7 Years), District Sunbeam Director (5 Years), Workshop Instructor/facilitator Sunbeam Department, District Registrar (17 Years), District Financial Secretary (1 year) Budget and Finance Committee, District Scholarship Chairperson (36 years) and District Young Matron's Advisor.

In the State: Missionary Baptist State Convention of Kansas' Missionary Department's School of Mission Assistant's Chairperson and Sunbeam Department's Education Director (1996-1999), Assistant Director and finally 4th Vice President-State Sunbeam Director from 1999 to 2013, was a member on the Board of the Missionary Baptist State Convention of Kansas. Recognized as one of one hundred ladies who made a difference in mission, inducted into the Hall of Fame 1996.

Her community involvement included member of the Junction City Branch of the NAACP becoming a Life Member in 1989, serving as Financial Secretary for several years beginning in 1996; Freedom Fund Banquet Chairperson, finally the Treasurer which Dorothy held until her passing. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Day Celebration, member of the Geary County Democratic Women Club, Treasurer of Westwood PTA for several years, volunteer at nursing home on 14th Street and later Valley View in the 70's and 80's, and the Geary County Senior Citizens Committee member.

Dorothy echoed, "This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine…" and that she did…let her light shine for Jesus, in her daily walk wherever she went. Sister Dorothy was a dedicated and courageous Christian woman who was committed to the cause of Christ.

Dorothy was not concerned about what people thought about her; rather she was concerned with what the Lord required of her. Dorothy was more concerned with gaining knowledge and learning new skills. She carried the light of Jesus in her life, for Dorothy absolutely loved the Lord. She was a generous, loving person compelled to run on to see what the end will be. Dorothy worked and waited to hear the Lord say, "Well, done, Dorothy. Come on up and receive your reward." And our mom, Dorothy, is going to shout, "Hallelujah, Hallelujah, I made it over!"

Forever cherishing memories of Dorothy are five children: Tina M. Nichols-Waller (fiancé, Ricky), Kirt D Nichols, Sr. (Janie), Terry L. Nichols Rivers, all of Junction City, KS; Raymond A Nichols Jr. (Yolonda), Phoenix, AZ and David Bragg, Sr. of Junction City, KS; 10 grandchildren: Anthony S. (Brooks) Nichols, MarTye M. Madkins, Mishala L. (Adam) Barron, Englewood, OH, Rosalind R. Nichols (Anthony), Brandi M. Nichols, Kirt D. Nichols, Jr., Junction City, KS, Anabel (Frank) Jordan, Los Angeles, CA, Melissa Vegas, Phoenix, AZ, Jesse Vargas, Seattle, WA, Louis Gutierrez, Phoenix, AZ, David Bragg, Jr., St. Cloud, FL; 12 great-grandchildren: Dariuayna S Nichols, Anthony S. Nichols, Jr., Xierena D Nobles, Amari S Nichols, Zaleia R Nichols, Ziona P Nichols, Ajana Nichols, Elizabeth Jordan, Rebecca Jordan, Luke Jordan, Julian Elijah Nichols; 3 sisters: Helene George (James), Dallas, TX, Florence Marks Thompson, Little Rock, AR, Deborah R, Adams, Saginaw, MI; 2 brothers: John Morton, Kansas City, MO and Daniel Marks, Jr,, Topeka KS: 8 Sisters- in-laws: Ella Bragg Lesene of Palatka, FL, Eddie Mae Cannon and Leatrice Cannon, both of CA, Grace Richardson, Margaret Luster, Darnett Carter, and Mildred Nichols all of Kansas City, KS, Mary L. Cannon, St. Louis, MO; 3 brothers-in-law: Booksie M. Nichols, Jr. of El Cerrito, CA, Sammie B. Nichols of Kansas City, KS, Marvin (Vanessa) Nichols of Pine Bluff, AR; 4 surrogate children: Rev. Alfonso B. Miles of Sacramento, CA, Jackie Norman, Sue Cunningham, and Robert Warren; 6 long-time friends: Jackie L. McDonald, Rev. Audrey V. and Sister Liliane J. Toombs, Sister Mary L. Walls, Hazelwood, MO, Frederick D. Reid, and Brenda J. Turner; 3 God-sons: Du﮽Shaun D. Turner, Seigh Alvin Norman, Ta`Jon Turner; 3 special nephews and 1 niece: Martase Nichols of Lenexa, KS, Rev. Horace Jefferson, Elijah Lowery, both of FL, and Gloria J. Towers of Junction City, KS, and many other nieces, nephews, cousins, church family and friends.

Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Raymond A, Nichols, Sr, and Elijah Bragg; children, 3 infants; Kimberly P. Bragg Madkins; grandson, Elijah Madkins; brothers: Columbus Marks, Troy, L. Jackson, Roosevelt Marks, Wallace Marks; sisters: Minnie M. Marks, Tanzella Marks, and Essie L. Marks Young.

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