Viola (Davison) Brackman

Viola Brackman, 97, of Staunton, IL, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, August 29, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Viola Davison was born on May 16, 1928 in Piedmont, MO to John & Edna (Price) Davison.  John passed away at the age of forty one in 1940, after being hit by a car while crossing Broadway in St. Louis, MO.  Edna moved to Staunton with Viola & her siblings in 1944, sharing a house with Carrie Brackman who had a son, Cecil, serving in WWII.  On February 14, 1948, Cecil & Viola were married by Rev. A.L. Matejka at his mother's home on Union Street in Staunton.

Vi, as friends & family called her, attended & joined the Assembly of God Church shortly after they moved to Staunton.  She remained a faithful member until her health prevented her from attending.  She loved the Lord & taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, & was actively involved in many other church events.

Her greatest joys were her love for Jesus & her family.  Viola loved spending time singing hymns & gospel music while Cecil, Dennis, & Dwight played their instruments.  Her knowledge of lyrics & melodies from decades ago was vast.  She always welcomed visits from family & friends.  She also loved cooking & baking.  Many times Mom could be heard in the kitchen with sounds of chicken frying in the skillet & she would always be preparing the fixin's to go with it.

After Cecil retired, he & Viola would spend time RV"ing in the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas, during the winter months in Illinois.  Several of the people they met there became life-long friends.

Viola never forgot the area in Missouri where her life began.  She enjoyed returning there & loved camping by the Highway K Bridge, near Annapolis, a place that her children & grandchildren have also come to enjoy.

Cecil & Viola are survived by a daughter -  Sue Goodson, of Staunton, IL;  two sons -  Dennis (Barb) Brackman of Staunton, IL,  &  Dwight (Kathy) Brackman of Staunton, IL;  eight grandchildren -  Amy (Carl) Zuhl of Schererville, IN,  Eric Goodson,  Abby Brackman of Glen Carbon, IL,  Emily (Harry) Paul of Staunton, IL,  Adam (Emily) Brackman of Webster Groves, MO,  Carrie (Ian) Fenton of Mount Olive, IL,  Bethany (Nathan) Kokorudz of East Alton, IL,  &  Aaron (LeAmber) Brackman of Commerce, GA;  nineteen great grandchildren -  Jesica Feldman,  Jacob (Shayla) Goodson,  Caleb,  Gavin,  Owen,  &  Baylor Brackman,  Everly,  Everett,  Emery,  &  Everson Kokorudz,  Cole,  Cruz,  Carter,  &  Cash Fenton,  Henry,  Atticus,  &  Silas Paul,  Murphy Brackman  &  her soon to be little sister.  Cecil & Viola were also blessed with two great great grandchildren -  Patrick & Presley Feldman.

Viola was preceded in death by her parents;  her husband -  Cecil;  a brother -  Joseph Davison & his wife Yvonne;  &  two sisters -  Marie Luttman  &  Bertie Rhodes & her husband Allen.  She was also preceded in death by three infant sisters -  Mary,  Pearl,  &  Lottie Jane Davison.

Visitation will be from 10 AM to 12 noon on Thursday, September 4, 2025 at The Assembly Church in Staunton, IL.  Funeral services will be held at 12 noon on Thursday, September 4, 2025 at The Assembly Church in Staunton, IL, with Pastor Art Braden officiating.  Burial will follow at Tine Sawyer Cemetery near Staunton, IL.  

Memorials are suggested to either The Assembly Church of Staunton or to Tine Sawyer Cemetery.

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