Hilda Lina Augusta Bracey

A native of Neudorf, Germany, Hilda was the only daughter of Carl and Regina Ullrich. She grew up in Germany during the terrible years surrounding World War II, during which she lost both parents. While working as a hospital aide, she contracted and survived diphtheria, which damaged her vocal cords and required a long recovery.

After the conclusion of the war, she met and married an American soldier, Jearl Bracey. They returned to the U.S. where they raised two daughters, Carmen and Valerie. During those busy years, Hilda supported her husband’s Army career by being a wonderful mother and homemaker. She worked to make sure the family’s many moves around the country and overseas a seamless operation. In 1959, the family settled in the Long Branch NJ area, while Jearl continued his career in the Army.

Hilda excelled at cooking, sewing, gardening and stretching every dollar to the maximum. She loved to shop, and found many beautiful bargains for the entire family.

A loving mother and doting grandmother, she was also a devout member of the Long Branch Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses for over 50 years. When she advanced in age, she came to live in Rock Hill, SC near her daughter Carmen.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Regina Ullrich, her husband Jearl Bracey, her granddaughter Adrienne Lewis and son-in-law David C. Lewis.

Surviving to mourn her passing are two daughters, Carmen Gibson of Rock Hill, SC and Valerie Flemming of Rahway, NJ, son-in-laws Earnest Gibson and Corey Lesane, former son-in-law Curtis Flemming Sr., eight grandchildren: Valerie Lewis-Jones, Tiffani Lewis-Honerkamp, David C. Lewis II, Kiera Lewis, Quiana Flemming, Senchal Flemming-Smith, Curtis Flemming Jr, Ean Flemming, and 24 great-grandchildren.

Hilda will be interred with her beloved husband Jearl at the Veteran’s Cemetery in New Jersey at a date yet to be determined. A memorial will be held at the time of interment, and all family and friends will be notified of the subsequent arrangements.

The family would also like the thank the staff at Brookdale Spring Arbor Memory Care Cottage in Rock Hill for their wonderful and loving care of Hilda and her family during her stay with them.

Whitesell Funeral Home is serving the family.