Vesta Young Braham

Tuesday, March 29, 2005

Vesta Young Braham, 95, Carthage, passed away Saturday, March 26, 2005, at her home. Mrs. Braham was born Dec. 8, 1909, in Rinehart, Mo., to Harley Earl Young and Winnie Charles Young. She attended grade school at Rinehart country school and St. Joseph Annex in Nevada, graduating in 1927 with honors from Nevada High School. She was office secretary for the Nevada Chamber of Commerce from 1929-1931; Deputy Recorder of Deeds for Vernon County, 1932-1935; abstractor in the office of Birdseye Abstract Co., Nevada, from 1936-1944. She married George J. Braham, owner of Birdseye Abstract Co. in 1938 and at his death in May 1944, became owner and manager of Birdseye Abstract Co. She sold the company in 1956 moving to Carthage in 1957 where she was part owner of Jasper County Title and Guarantee Co. at Carthage, Joplin and Webb City, Mo. After selling the title company in 1972 she became a real estate broker until 1973 when she filed and was elected to Jasper County Recorder of Deeds Office, retiring in 1986. She was nominated and elected to the Missouri State Republican Committee in 1940, a member of First Christian Church and Board, Nevada; the Grace Episcopal Church, Vestry and St. Mary's Guild, Carthage; Soroptimist Club International of Carthage, Order of Eastern Star, Carthage, for 30 years, Republican Clubs, Missouri State Records Board, Jasper County Association of Social Services and treasurer of Carthage Welfare Board.

Survivors include two nieces, Kay Tucker, Lamar; Suzanne Elliott, Springfield; one nephew, William E. Young, Kansas City, Mo.; three great-nieces; two great-nephews; and eight great-great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, George J. Braham; a daughter, Sara Braham; and one brother, Harley W. "Bill" Young.

Visitation will be held from 6-7 p.m., Tuesday, March 29, at Knell Mortuary, Carthage. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, March 30, in Newton Cemetery, Nevada. Father Steve Wilson will officiate. Memorial gifts are suggested to the Carthage Soroptimist Scholarship Fund or the Virginia Andrews Scholarship Fund in care of Knell Mortuary, Carthage.