Ollie Russell Bracey

On Wednesday, August 31, 2016, Almighty God in His infinite mercy gently and tenderly closed the eyes of our loved one, Ollie Russell Bracey, the youngest and seventh child of the late Walter and Ida Bracey. A native Washingtonian, born on April 25, 1939, he was educated in DC public schools and graduated from Anacostia High School. Immediately after receiving his high school diploma, he joined the Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1959. Joined in holy matrimony to Gwendolyn Eason on July 10, 1971, they celebrated 45 years of wedded joy just a few months ago. Their union produced one daughter, Shannon Elisha. They also shared in the care, raising, and nurturing of two daughters from a previous marriage, Gail Denise and Glynnis Anita. Ollie began his federal government career at the Government Printing Office. He found his niche at the USAID, where he worked faithfully for 42 years and retired from there on December 30, 1999. Because of his gregarious nature and hard-working discipline, he is still remembered by his co-workers and friends. His discipline and excellent work ethic didn’t stop with retirement. Ollie served as a hard-working member of the St. Lucille A.M.E. Zion Church Usher Board and blissfully played the put-upon husband by “driving Ms. Gwen” and doing his “Honey, Do…” list until his health forced his second retirement. Though Ollie worshipped at St. Lucille AME Zion Church for over twenty years, his spiritual foundation was established at an early age at the St. John CME Church in Washington, DC. As an adult, Ollie joined the Metropolitan Wesley AME Zion Church with his wife and youngest daughter. He continued to grow under the 17-year pastorate of Rev. Dr. William W. Anderson at his final church home, St. Lucille. An infectious laugh, a clever and wry sense of humor, generous and loving nature, Ollie’s departure leaves a hole in the Bracey family. Both family and friends will miss his wide smile. A voracious reader of mysteries and the Washington Post and a compulsive consumer of Altoids and Nutri Grain bars, both of those stocks will plummet in the coming months. There to greet him upon his arrival in heaven from his family, were his parents who preceded him in death; four sisters, Alice Monroe, Delores Harris, Nellie Hawkins, and Sylvia Biggins; one brother, Walter Bracey, Jr.; and two nephews, Melvin Maxwell and Lionel Harris; and one great-nephew, Walter Bracey, III. Left to celebrate his life and forever cherish his memory are his loving, dedicated, and devoted wife of 45 years, Gwendolyn E. Bracey; three daughters, Gail “Cookie” (Maurice) Howard, Glynnis (Maurice) Shane, Shannon “Diamond” Bracey; one brother, Willis Bracey; two grandchildren, Shantel Howard and Miles Shane; a wonderful group of sisters-in-law and brothers-in law, Mary Estelle (Carl), Carrie Donaldson, William (Jean) Eason, James Eason and Melvine Miller; and, a host of special nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends

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Ollie Russell Bracey

April 25, 1939 - August 31, 2016